The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-21
MI. EdmondS' Letter.

In a highly interesting letter TO his
paper. The Manufacturers Record,
which has contributed so greatly to-
ward the material development OF the
southern states. Mr.. Richard II. Ed
mords has some very true things to
say about the dangers of the discus
sion of the race problem"
Mr.. Edmonds is a southern man.
No man understands conditions in
these states better than he, and the
whole trend of his life work is toward
the promotion OF the prosperity of the
/ south He speaks as one who has
| shown his faith by his works.
/ Mr.. Edmonds takes the position that
! there is a vast deal more danger in
| the agitation and constant discussion
/ of race conditions than there is in any
/ problem which those conditions pre-
sent, and he is eminently correct in so
far as he refers to agitation predicated
on the assumption that the south IS
perched on top racial volcano which
is likely tC. erupt at any minute
Even if this were true. southerners
ought to be the last people to be put
ting the world on notice about il. But
it is not true: there is no such condi-
ton Of affairs; there is no real trouble,
present or prospective The TWO races
are living quietly together, each IN its
own proper place, the constituent
members of the better class OF each
doing their share toward. the promo
ton Of peace and the development Of
this fair land Let alone. their rela-
tj0nship presents no real problem
But agitation based on fancied animOS
tiles. agitation which magnities Incl
dental troubles. agitation which would
make race issues and race wars
ont of the acts OF individual criminals,
agitation which magniiies the notes
and fails to take into account the
movements of the really great forces
this sort OF agitation can hurt and
does hurt.
1t can work infinite harm by stirring
up the very discussions it pictures,
but which do not now exist, it does
work infinite harm to the south in a
material sense
The southern states are today hold
ing OUT invitations to immigration and
to capital based upon conditions which
make this section most attractive
field for both. We want desirable
white immigrants, we need them TO
properly develop our resources, and
VIC age able to present inducements
Witch ought TO bring them into this
section in large numbers. Can We eX-
g.f,r,tY NO MY
these Invitations with assurance that
if hey come they may expect TO find
themselves perched upon the ton 0i a
volcano liable 10 explode ut any mo
m ut? Can we expect TO attract cap
ital OF people by pictures OF that kind,
no matter how much we talk Of the
certainty Of large returns? Ii this con
dition exists can we even hold our
own white people?
Those questions contain their own
answers.
There is no Issue here between
peace on the one hand and prosperity
on the other There is, in this argu-
ment nothing that can be construed
as sacrifice of principle for material
gain
Prosperity. as Mr. Edmonds points
ont. IS here and here to stay unless
the factors contributing to that pros
peritv-the labor and 5hc capital-are
dispeled by the workings of agita-
ton.
In all that it has had TO say upon
the different phases Of the present dis
cussion nothing is further from The
CONSTITUTIONS intention than TO inn
pugn the perfect good faith OF those
with whom il may differ. least of all OF
Colonel Graves, of whose address Mr.
Edmonds makes especial mention.
Given the same state of facts, two
thinkers may reach Numerically op-
posite conclusions. With the segrega-
ton idea 50 ably advanced by Colonel
Graves We have differed and do differ
but in this apparent antagOnism there
is not an iota of suggestion that in adj
yancing his views Colonel Graves has
been inspired by anything else than
the highest patriotism toward his
country and state, to the upbuilding OF
which he has contributed so material
" and whose every interest is his
As iii the past so in the future will
his voice be raised in behalf only Of
what he deems the highest interest Of
his people and though The Constitu-
ton may take occasion to differ with
his conclusions. there can be no doubt
ing the purity OF his aims and pur-
poses. or of the eloQucnce with which
he advocates them