The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-20
OBSURD VIEWS AND OPEN
HOSPITALITY.

There is no doubt that a great deal
of rot and absurdity find their way
into newspapers. But they are not all
There are a great many writer's all
over the south who contribute much
but on one theme-commercialism or
how to make the south great and rich.
The one dominating idea is to get
money. Sink everything else in order
to make sure the end of gain. Get
there" whatever else you do. Give your
days and nights to making money, and
own as much of the earth as you can.
No one can object to honest gain.
Money is an essential in this age of the
world, but it is not everything. There
is something great other than money.
There is a spirit of greed and of cen
sure. We notice that a Mr.. N. F.
Thompson, Of New Orleans. is pressing
upon the south 1.-The commercialism"
idea, n wan the south to give UP
politics and take to money making. We
suppose the idea is to allow the north
to continue to rule with unopposed
pO"CI. Inc Jul W NC d SOEl u
satrap of the north. The republican
party has control of every state in the
huge north. 1t is now a great "solid
north" The south is in it's power. 1t
must stand and deliver. But it the
south to be but newer of wood and a
drawer of water" for the masters up
north?" 1t looks that way. 1t makes
laws, and often for h oppression of the
south. Is there to be never a turn in
the lane? Politics mas not paid the
south. Is there to be never a turn in
pay better to cut loose from all pre-
viously held principles and traditions,
and seek gain by offering incense to
the northern idols. to become fetick
worshippers? That will not elevate
manhood or make the south think bet
ter of itself. 1t may gain some shekels
if it becomes a high robber tax advo-
cate and seeks gain through the trusts.
The people of the south have been sup
posed to possess something of honor
and self-respect and bravery for the
right. But it will hardly make friends
VI y tOlIlluSliCS ny lOWC li llS I
crest and Frustrating itself before the
money power. Mr.. Thompson seems to
be possessed with the idea that it is
best for our people to abandon political
principles and "go for the make" He
is for the south making something u
of it's defeats.
He says for instance:
1--WE seem never to learn the lessons
taught US by defeat. Had we resolute-
ly turned to the development of this
heaven-favored LAND Immediately after
the war, n early secured a policy
that would bring capital and settlers
among us. the south would today be
the most highly favored of all other
portions of this country"
We do not know how old he is. but
if he lived through the war, and in the
days of the villainous reconstruction,
days of robberies and populations and
frauds and expressions. he talks
strangely and ignorantly. 1t is certain
the southern whites had a terrible
time of it for six or ten e after
the cruel war was over" The people
were in no condition to either build for
themselves, or to pursuade others to
come and build. A devastated land, an
impoverished, robbed people had moth
ing t o offer. So Thompson's talk is of
the usual vain character when the
past is forgotten. and h cry is for
pastures new"
The south is hospitable to all deserv-
ing 1t is not the LAND it's
enemies have described it to be. Peo-
pie who come in a friendly spirit, with
no purpose Ito spy out it's nakedness,"
but to settle and help build up are al
ways we'll treated in all the south.
North Carolina is particularly kind to
people of other sections and is ready to
greet them cordially.