The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-14

in the forefront at ST. Louis. The South
and it's resources has been sealed book
at st. Louis, and to show that its pages
are without blemish, that the reader
can learn much from an examination OF
our industries and resources. and that
while we may have been behind our sis
ter States in presenting our possibilities
and advantages to the world, we are now
a factor in the race for supremacy in
many lines, and propose to stay in the
race for the future. For these and many
other reasons the South should be as a
unit at St. Louis.
s.And what of North Carolina. Gentle
men, 1 have known much of this State
since 1860, and when l look back to that
time to the close of the war. picture
the fountry on the Weldon road Will
ming.ton to Weldon, on the North Caro-
lima road, or l will say from Kings Noun
tain to Raleigh, as we'll as in many other
parts of the State, then, and see the
picture presented now, the great improve
ments, developments in many lines,
presents a record the State and It's peo-
pie may justly be proud Of: much OF II
the result of direct home enterprise ana
home capital, the savings of the people
of North Carolina, but Mr.. Chairman ana
Gentlemen of the Committee, much re-
mains; to be done to place the State still
furthec ahead in the supremacy among
the si&terhod of States, and it is in your
power to aid in doing so.
YOU have. as it were, placed all your
eggs in two baskets, as far as invested
capita, in industries is commemorative
textile: and furniture baskets. The unde-
velope1 resources of North Carolina are
far greater than those Of any other
States. resources from Whick many d.
versifidd industries can be established
Capital and knowledge are required to
bring fhem about. Go with me into the
mountain section, see what is being done
in and around Rrevard and in the Toxo-
way country, and you will realize that
foreign capital, new brains, new ideas,
and Increased population can do much
to aid Jus. And not alone in that section
can we be helped. The eastern and mid
die sections of the State offer opportun-
tiles in many lines, which if properly
presented at st. Louis. will attract at
tention 20 us.
North Carolina was the first of the
to accrue from displaying it's resources
and possibilities at expostions. The
showing you made in Boston, New Or
leans, Paris, Chicago, and at, other ex-
positions has done much to place the
State in the proud position it occupies
today. Will it now in this day of prog
ress take step in retrogression, simply
from the fact that there is said to be
deficit in our treasury? / say OUR
treasury, for l am a resident of the State.
Gentlemen, in my opinion the question is
not, how can we afford to make the APP
preparation asked for, but how can North
Carolina afford to remain away from st.
Louis.
You represent the agricultural interest
of the State. 1t is vast interest, an
interest that has shown more improve
ment in North Carolina than in any other
State, improvements and increase that are
phenomenal. The agricultural possibil-
tiles of the State are, however, not as
yet more than half developed. There are
thousands of acres of good lands not I'M
der cultivation for lack of tillers of the
soil; there are many new methods In
known to us for increasing products and
fruit culture have as yet not been fairly
tested. In dairying. poultry and stock
raising, they are as yet in their infancy.
All these can be presented at St Louis so
as to give great and speedy results. The
tide of immigration is now tending to the
South, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and Texas have, in connection with the
railroads, formed a combine, and are
drawing many from Canada and the
Northwest, who are dissatisfied. with the
cold, bleak. winters Of those countries,
and who want homes where they will
not be housed fer six or eight months
of the year. Many Of these PEOPLE will
be at ST. Louis, looking for homes. North
Carolina can secure her quota by show
ing her resources.
Gentlemen, it is largely for you to say,
shall the State TO ia evidence at this
great highway of progress. Will you not
boldly take the stand that there must
be no retrogrcssiCn, that North Carolina
can and will show % Tho country. the
world at large, at this GREATEST OF
EXPOSITIONS that it is one of the
greatest States in the Union, and that
it will combine to place in evidence its
claims for that position in such man
ner as to fearlessly challenge contra
diction.
"Mr. Chairman, there is one other point
that | would like to bring to your at
tention.
There is a vast territory to the South
of us, Mexico, Central and South America
and the West Indies. While the flood tide
of progress and prosperity has been
rolling over our country it has not passed
these by They have also prospered
in many ways and their exports and i'm
ports have increased very largely. Much
of their trade has been with England,
Germany, Spain and other countries of
the old world.
THE changed condition Of affairs in
the West Indies and the possibilities of
the Isthman Canal has drawn more OF
it to this country, and American mer-
chants and manufacturers are now seek
ing to cultivate the trade. New York is
practically enjoying a monopoly of it.
"The South has the cotton goods the
lumber, the rice and many other articles
largely used in these Latin American