Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-12
WEDNESDAY. APRIL y. 1893.
Convention and Bazaar.

Convention and Bazaar.
Here to-day the old and the new
South meet.
In the Memorial Bazaar which was
opened at the Armory OF the First
Regiment last night we have the Con-
federacy revived in memory. and hun
dreds of banners, trophies, and curios
recall the valiant dead.
In the convention of southern Cover
nors which is to begin its sessions in the
Senate chamber OF our State Capitol at
noon to-day, We have personified that
new South which is full Of veneration
for the old South and which is able to
show the world that the men who made
our best soldiers are those who make
our best citizens.
These are the two scenes presented in
Richmond that Richmond which was
the capital of the Confederacy, around
which the battle-tide was ever surglng,
which fell in flames and WAS rebuilt by
the men who laid down their swords and
muskets at Appomattox and went into
1.-THE burned district" to fight poverty
with shovels and picks, with hammers
and SAWS.
Then and now make a span of twenty
eight years covering eyentiul history
the chronicles of people whose indus
trial system has had to be remodelled
upon new basis, and who have had to
contend with hard political conditions.
but have weatbercd all and have to-day
as fair a promise as any section Of the
country.
As matter of course the Governors
are welcome to Richmond. 1t is i'm
possible that anything we could do for
their entertainment should be beyond
their deserts ; but we also recognize the
importance Of their misson-to en-
tighten the world as to what the South
is; what she has done in the way OF ma
terial development in recent years, and
what she is capable OF in the future.
Circumstances have hitherto prevent
ed us from making any concerted move
ment to secure new settlers from Europe
and Canada and from the North and
northwestern States of our own coun-
try. Abroad (and for this particular
purpose we may include some parts of
this country in the term) the most re-
markable Misrepresentation exists as to
our climate, our people, our produc-
tons, etc. immigration agents from
other sections have designedly misrep.
resented us for their own advantage.
Among average Europeans there is
not q very clear distinction between
1.-The South and "South America"
Our section is thought by many to be !
inhabited by mixture of Indians, me-
groes, Spanish, Portuguese, creoles,
coolies, &c. Thousands also imagine |
that ours is tropical climate. The ig-
norance Of these people, originally /
dense, has been added to by the mis-
representations of immigration agents |
who have other interests to serve. 1t is |
our mission to remove these impressions |
and set forth the truth. This is one OF /
the things contemplated in the work OF
this convention. The very fact that it
is in session for this purpose will do
good. The daily reports of it which will
be sent from here to all quarters of this
country and, in more condensed form,
to the chief cities of Europe will pre-
pare the way for other information. 1t
will be seen soon that the South wishes
new settlers that it is q land favored
with healthful climate, and that it
offers inducements equal to any offered
elsewhere.
We enter heartily into the hopes of
Governor FIsHDAcK and Governor
MCKINNEY in calling this convention.
For il to meet here is an honor to Rich
mond and Virginia. The fact that it
will be convention of Governors
(though there will be some members
who are not Governors will give it
prominence in the press and in the pub
lie mind. That it will do all the South
service We have no doubt. The press
kilograms which will go out from Rich
mond in the course Of the next few
days will give the South an advertise
ment OF great value-an advertisement
that hundred thousand dollars could
not buy. So let US be mindful of our {
opportunity and thankful for the pres
ence here of 30 many able and distin-
guished men.