Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-21
WEAT THEY SAY ABOUT US Chicago ExcursionistS Have Re-
 turned Home AND ARE WELL PLEASED With Their Trip Through the Land of the Magnolia and the Vine -Amale1 at
 the Material Progress.

the lSln l0SldHl uGNOtto iiO AANeiN Df'N%~S - interviews with prominent citizens of that city who recently visited the Atlanta exposition and other points in the south. Their expressions of confidence in south ern progress, coupled with manifest de- sire to bring the two sections nearer to- gether, are of great significance. Below we give a few of the many pleasant things said about us.
 President Ferdinand Peck.
 It should have been done years ago. but all bitterness was forever buried when the First regiment fired their guns over the closed Confederate grave. The epoch marking incident was everywhere referred to in the speeches of our south ern brethren during our tour, invarlaply bringing words of affection and apprecla- tion for Chicago's splendid act. This ex- petition was the fitting and logical out- growth of that event.
 Indeed my opinion, which is that of the several hundred representative citi- zens of Chicago who participated in the excursion of the Southern States associa- tion, is that the beneficial results of the pilgrimage cannot be overestimated. In carrying to the south our great Illinois regiment, the governor of the state ana his staff. the mayor of Chicago and his cabinet. besides a large delegation Of business men, we have left an impression in that section that will never be forgot ten, and that will hear important fruit Bishop Fallows well stated that we have sown seed which will not only bring inn mediately results, but continue to fructt- fly for many years to come.
 Noted Progress Everywhere.
 The evidences of material progress are apparent everywhere in the south. travelled quite extensively through the south some years ago, and now note fhe marked change in the appearance of the .ftf fnh Inx- rtfcif fnd Ehn ri and enterprise of the people are every where noticeable. Especially has there been a great development of manufac- lures. The very atmosphere in Atlanta reminds ChIcagoan of his own city, in the push and drive noticeable in the streets. The exposition. which is the best Illustration of that enterprise. is a mar vel, and. in comparing the resources at the command of Atlanta and the busi- ness conditions of the country, it is my judgment the fair is almost equal. when considered in the light of the different conditions named. to our own great Co., 1umbian exposition. In Atlanta the cotton factories remind one of being among the busy maDu featuring cities of New England At Chattanooga the industry and prosperity of the people can be seen in every direc- ton. There is indeed new south.
 Fraternal ties and kindly feelings have been promoted throughout all southland. which must result In more important comercial relations than have ever before existed between that section and the northwest. for sentiment largely under lies all business. There Is no doubt that out of this peaceable invasion of the south friendly relations have been pro- noted, the results of which will be im pertant to our interests In Chicago. We have learned many instances of this all ready, of representa- tiyes of Chicago mer- chants whom we have met during our trip. Everywhere we were received with the greatest cordality, and we returned full of kind feelings for the people of southland.
 Alexander Fl. Revell.
 We had grand time. I feel certain that the people of Chicago and the north- west hardly realize the great importance of the journey just closed. Those who have been on the trip. however. thorough ly understand it. When the pretty girls and beautiful women of Charleston stand upon the porches of the houses and in the windows and throw beautiful flowers into the streets for the soldier boys to walk upon. while along with those flowers come smiles from faces beaming with welcome. and when to all this is added tbe hearty greetings of those wo- mems husbands. brothers and lovers as they met us in the public receptions, one can readily see that there Is genuine love-feast between north and south. handshaking that must continue forever.
 Resources of the South.
 am exceedingly pleased and amazed at the way the south has forged 10 the front in a material way. Money seems to be flowing in from more prosperous parts of the United States, and with this the valuable mines are being worked. The immense forests of timber are sup plying millions feet of lumber. which is going to all parts of the world. The cot ton growing interest is multiplying itself ,If f1a rf1tl1 iG- tied. where we saw thousands of opera tiyes at work. plainly indicate that cap ital is not afraid to plant its money by the beautiful power streams of Georgia. Tennessee and South Carolina.
 This pilgrimage cannot fail to be or lasting benefit to the people of the south. both in a social and business way. The effect of 1t cannot be seen or. judged at this time. Twenty-Five years from now people will look back and refer to this trip as one of the happiest. most beauti- ful things the people of the north could do. They will then have had the results which will grow out of the experience of today; for, like the building of the Con- federate monument, those who have taken part in this journey can hardly realize its grand possibilities. and have been too overwhelmed by the beauty of the welcome extended 10 them to appre- ciate fully the proud results which will come to the people of the south and re- dound as well to the glory and we'll known broadness and generosity of heart of the people of Chicago.
 Charles Truax-Our trip through the south has been to me beautiful revela- tion. a realization and unfolding of con- ditions, both of the past and present. never before correctly understood. Ed ucated where sectionalism ruled su- preme, I grew to manhoods estate im- bued with the idea that the southern people were the embodiment of disloyal- ty and unpatriotism and unworthy of our respect or friendship. Evidently the people of the south entertained toward us of the north thoughts and Ideas akin to these, the mutual feeling of anmosity aversion and suspicion. the result of mu- tual misunderstanding, separating us by a well defined sectional line.
 Happily and with that peace of mind which usually follows true reccncllia- ton, my ideas at last have undergone a complete change-not that I believe the south was right in her principles of slav- cry and her interpretation of the declara. fion of independence. but because am convinced that she was honest in her motives. true to her convictions loyal to her ideas of state and national gov Clio fwx IAFn