The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-31
TRYING TO HELP THE SOUTH.
Means Which Are Proposed to Ac-
compIish That object.

compIish That object.
Editor Morning News: 1t is known to
your readers that during the past few
months, 1 published a series of letters in
the Philadelphia Times and Press on the
advantages of the South. You were kind
enough to make editorial notice OF some
of these letters, while l have evidence
from both North and South that they at
tracted more than ordinary attention. The
main objects that called forth these We're
stated therein, i. e., to bring the North
and South closer together on lines of mu-
tua interest and regard.
/ deem it due to the interest which ac-
companied those publications to ask for
space in your columns to make a supple
mentary statement to your readers, and
to the people of the South, especially since
learn that two prominent Savannah gen.
tlemen have seen proper 10 criticise a
letter which l with others had in the Man
ufacturers Record, in which | expressed
strong approval of an editorial that ap-
peared in that journal. l learn that this
criticism was first published in some Sa
vannah papers, and hence my added de-
sire to make this explanation or reason
for its being the cause of this attack. l
wish to say that / am not seeking con-
troversy with any one, and that | am will
ing 20 accord the same honesty of pur-
pose to others that claim for myself, but
when there is marked differences in the
opportunities for gaining knowledge of
the subject discussed, / think those who
nave been the most favored in this re-
gard entitled to the most weight
ask Indulgence while / state as brief
~ as l can the claims made for such
knowledge on my part: For Some years
before coming North l was actively .en-
gagged in commercial and industrial devel-
opment work for well known Southern
city and state l have it from those who
| gave me the "calf' to accept similar work
for this, the Flood City, that that call
was due TO the activity displayed in be-
half of this same Southern city, and that
engagement has been continued on their
part voluntarily through three successive
! terms of service. 1 will say further that
am native Southerner and an ex-rebel,
as some of the 'unrecons tructed" up here
call me, so that / may say without egotism
that 1 have had the very widest possible
neld for judging of business and indus
| trlal conditions both North and South
and | think that l comprehend in some
degree at least what is needed to bring
| prosperity to the country at large and TO
the South in particular. 1t was from this
point of vantage alone that / essayed to
give advice to my Southern friends, and |
wrote only from the deepest conviction of
| patriotism and duty
saw the 'fairest land that e'er the sun
shone on'-a land blessed with natural re-
sources unequalled by any other on the
| face of the globe, with undeveloped wealth
! OF resources that could not but bring I'M
bounded prosperity to her people. if prom
| erly utlized-I saw the progress of such
| a land retarded and its brilliant destiny
c!ouded by political move based on
| sectional issue, the one that sought to ally
the West and the South together as
| against the East, simply because the East
| TeDrPSenfGn a
| power, whatever that may be- Believing
from my Utmost soul that such a move
! boded only harm to the South l declared
against it then as l do now.
If l had needed any facts to justify the
oellet at frst entertained, l certainly do
not now, for 1 have had numerous causes
to feel that my former opinions were well
| founded, as | found growing distrust of
| the South and an increasing hesitancy to
| make or encourage Southern Investments
| Tor development purposes. Believing that
| this sentiment had been brought about
through the agency of politicians, who
| either did not know, or, knowing did not
! care, for the real welfare of the South. 7
! sought to correct it to the extent of nv
ability through these letters up here but
| l further realized that the South like
wise had her part to perform, and
that was 70 show a stronger care for her
j material and business welfare 1t was this
! the letter which my Savannah friends an
! peared most to object to, viz. More of
business and less of politics" among her
! people.
! have pleaded for this in the past and
! l now plead with all the earnestness of
my nature for Southern policy that
| shall stand for the very broadcast of true
Americanism, that shall have no sectional
! ism in 1t, that will prevent the fomenta-
| ton of class antagonism of any kind that
will recognize the material wealth of the
| South and work for it's development |
| would see the South stand in the future
| as she has in the past, buwark of lofty
! ideals in patriotism and craftsmanship l
! know these to be the ruling principles of
| her people, and that nowhere exists a
| higher estimate of either personal or bust
ness integrity, and l would see her ever
| remain true to these old landmarks of
| Southern character. Now, in the face of
| an effort on the part of politicians, which
1 felt would take the south from these
mornings of safety, l did not think any
! son of that heaven-favored land should
| be silent. l believed it only consistent
for those who had so often rendered on
| the battle fields of the South their lives
as a sacrifice to be offered up on the al
| tar of home and country, to pledge their
noblest energies and efforts for that coun-
! try now when it was standing on the
! threshold of a higher and nober destiny
! Such a policy as [ have thus briefly out
lined will bring the South Men and
money" as surely as that the sun will
! rise tomorrow, while any other, in my
| Judgment, will as surely keep them away,
and this is a matter which only the peo-
| pie of the South themselves can settle.
| Which shall It be? N. f. Thompson.
! Johnstown, Pa, Jan. %. 1898.
|
Pulling Teeth at Sea.