The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-05-14
VALUE OF IMMIGRATION
70 the Southern States-Ways and
Means of Securing II.

In discussing the value of immigra-
ton to the South, the Southern States
magazine says
A dispatch from Portland. Ore,
states that that city has raised S32,-
600 to promote Immigration. aud that
it has invited the st tie of Washington
to join with Oregon in the work of
bringing settlers to the Pacific North
west, instead of each State laboring
separately"
The Southern States has repeatedly
pointed out how remiss the people Of
the South are in spending money to at
tract immigration. With the exception
of few railroads. which are doing
something in this line, although very
few of them are carrying out this work
as comprehensively as Western roads
do, the South itself is practically doing
nothing. Here is one town of moder-
ate population which has raised a32, 900
for immigration work, or probably
more than the whole fourteen Southern
States in their official capacity have put
up for such purpose during the last
hhO IL SlO oOulh w sCt
the people it must use the same means
which other sections have found profit
able. That population is coming
South rapidly is true; but this is being
done because of the South's advantages
and despite the utter failure Of the
South to do its part. Did the Wes-
tern States possess such advantages
as the South has, they would double
their population in ten years. Every
village in the whole country would be
flooded with literature, and every man,
woman aud child would hear of their
advantages. Unfortunately, the peo-
pie of the South have not yet learned
the value of advertising, whether that
advertising be through newspapers or
by other means, nor have they fully
appreciated that to get immigration
they must exercise broad-minded lib
erality, backed by untiring energy.
The Pacific coast recognizes the
value of immigration. 1t recognizes
that the incoming of new people builds
up country, enhances the value of
its property, gives opportunity for the
creation of wealth, opportunity Tor So
cial and industrial advancement, op-
portunity for the building of churches,
the establishment of schools, the i'm
provement of roads and the general
advancement Of civilization.
The most important question before
the South-the one upon which its fu-
ture more largely depends than any
thing else-is immigration. The in
coming of new people in great numbers
will settle all the perplexing problems
Jnat nave cOnIrOnLeu Lnls section. IL
will sweep away all troublesome ques-
tions relating to possible race difficult
ties; it will open to the rising genera
tion of the South opportunities for ad
vancement scarcely dreamed fnOw; it
will bring about the establishment of
more schools, more churches, and the
building of better roads, thus increas-
ing the facilities for travel, and it will
give to this section all of the comforts
and conveniences of the most advanced
civilization and development possessed
by the North, added to and increased
in proportion as the natural advan-
tages of the South exceed the natur al
advantages of the North. In view of
these facts, it is we'll worth while for
the South to give its attention to im-
migration, to spend its money, to give
its time and energy in seeking to draw
people from other sections into this ia
vored region.
These facts should be pressed upon
the South by every paper in this Sec
tion. They should be reiterated and
reiterated until every man is so stirred
to a full realization of the vital impor-
tance of attracting settlers as to be
willing to give of his time and money
in behalf of this ork.--Baltimore
Manufacturer Record.