Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-24
- NIPPLE

The migration of the shepherd kings
into Egypt, the departure of the Is
raelites from Egypt TO Canaan, and the
invasion of ancient Britain by the Ger
manic tribes, are instances in point
which illustrate forcibly this great
generalization
Many unthinking people imagine that
the periods Of great migrations have
passed, and that all races and peoples
have now at last settled down to fixed
and permanent habitations. Such,
however, is not the case. The great
est migration in the history of the race
is now going on. II began with the
discovery OF America, and has contin-
ued with increasing volume to the
present hour. The immigration to this
country has no parallel in all the past.
The number of immigrants coming TO
the United States this year will be OF
the present rate continues through
out the entire year, above 100000 souls.
This number is a fourth greater than
tho number of immigrants who came
to these shores in 1901 In three years
at this rate, more people will come
from the old world TO the new than
Moses led out OF Egypt In the days of
the Pharaohs. And this westward
movement has been in progress for
more than four centuries, with con-
stantly accelerating speed.
1t has already had the effect Of fore
ing the native peoples far into the in
terior-the Indian Territory-where in
the course of time they will, perhaps,
finally disappear altogether.
Moreover the migration Of Euro
peans hither drew after II the en-
forced migration of a vast company
of Africans who were kept for a time
in slavery and then were made citi-
Gems by the descendants Of their origi-
nal captors and purchasers. These
Africans have multiplied into millions
and now far outnumber the Abor-
gines who have been displaced. They
have been honored by the whites in
that they alone Of all races not eau
casian, are allowed to become citi-
gems Of the republic-a privilege their
children inherit by birth without any
process of naturalization:
Excepting this great company Of
Africans, few immigrants have come
to this country from any other than
European lands. Asiatic immigrants
have been discouraged from coming
by Chinese laws. and other such
statutes. The necessity for such laws
to arrest the tide Of immigrats from
the far east shows how strongly the
currents among all nations set in this
direction.
We are proposing to compress these
= Heterogeneous elements into a solid
form of national life not by the
hydraulic pressure of a despotism or
even by the strong power Of limited
monarchy, but by the less vigorous
process of a republican government.
In this we have undertaken a stu
pendous task without any presidents
whatsoever to guide US in fits perform
ance. No nation ever went this way
before us.
A consideration which adds to the
appalling weight Of the burden we
have assumed is that the hope Of the
human race seems to be involved In
our success or failure. II our nation
should fail, and should float as a
dereiict in International waters. IL
would wreck the governments Of the
world If on the other hand IL suc-
ceeds, free government Will eventually
be universal, and the race will at
tain its ultimate deliverance under our
leadership.
There is no possibility OF diverting
this migration from our shores. There
are no more continents to discover.
Men know now the habitable parts OF
the globe, and no known land draws
men 10 it as does ours. The political
movements the III 0O4Nn
Africa and our own entrance into the
Philippines VIII not sensibly diminish
the drift OF Europeans to the United
States. Indeed, it is not impossible
that the Increased burden OF taxation
in Great Britain, arising from the ex-
pense Of the war in South Africa. may
increase the number Of immigrants
from the British isles to this country.
II the economic hopes of the imperial
lists among US are realized, the profits
of labor in the United States win be
increased by the annexation OF "our
island empire" In this event the at
fractions to come hither will be
stronger. while the attractions OF the
old world are growing weaker by rea-
son Of the growing burdens OF taxation
there. Hereby immigration viii be
further quickened.
In the light OF all these facts II Is
reasonable to conclude that this mighty
migration which has been going on 50
long has not yet reached its maximum.
We have not seen the most nor the best
of it-nor the worst of IL.
What duties does II impose upon us7
Certainly this obligation'
That we shall do all we can to unity
the nation. Otherwise. the centrifugal
forces OF our governmental system
must inevitably grow 50 strong as 10
rend the organism asunder.
But upon what untfying principle can
we rely?
Not upon the Capitalization OF the
government; for that would put fatal
strain upon the center Of the structure
where most 1t needs relief. Local SELF
government Is more necessary now
than ever to preserve the union from
crumbling under the weight imposed
upon IT by extension of territory and
increase of population with the eonse-
ouent contentious Of diverse and rival
interests. Capitalization therefore can
not be the remedy for the perils in
volved in our situation.
There Is but one unifying influence
equal to our need and that is religion
the most powerful Of all menstruums
for melting together heterogous
peoples. Unity of faith was not more
necessary to the ancient Israelites in
their wanderings in the wilderness ana
in their wars with the Canaanites than
IL is indispensable to the American peo-
pie.
1t is equally manifest that Christian
ity is the only religion possible to our
people. If not Christians they must be
without God and without hope in the
world-without national. as well as
without individual hope.
From all this 1t follows that he who
weakens the hold Of this faith upon the
nation commits treason against its
highest interests, and in so far as the
welfare of this nation affects the whole
world he becomes the enemy Of the
race. This language though strcng is
justified by the facts. 1t is not str6ng-
er than the words of President Wash
ington in his Farewell Address"
Speaking of the value of religion ana
morality to the welfare Of the republic