The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-25

development. It has caused A revival of the commercial democracy of the south. For some years Senator Morgan of Alabama and Senator McIatrin of South Carolina stood almost alone in the halls of Congress as it's opponents. Rnf it contains the true solution of the saufh ern industrial problem.
 "When my resolution was introduced Senator MeLaurin, representing sonth Carolina which leads in the manufaetura of cotton, as well as being a large cot ton producing state, arose to speak to the resolution, and it was very soon recognized that he was the man to lead this great movement. In clear calm, foreible terms he pointed out that the only permanent solution for our prob lem was wider markets for cotton prod ucts, and that all else was a mere tenn porary expedient.
 "The matter has been carried to the President and the address of the com mittee is document that will live in history as the elearest statement of the cotton situation so far given out. The President gave the committee a very courteous and cordial reception and as sured his hearty support of the move ment. The Secretary of Agriculture ex- pressed great interest in its success, and 1t is right in line with the work already being done by the department of com merce and labor It is through this de- partment that our work will be carried on and from Secretary Metcalf We will have most valuable assistance.
 .The real fight down below the surface is for the commercial ascendency of the south. It brings the most important and distinguishing industry of the south in relation with national politics, which will give us once again a leading position In directing the economic and industrial af- fairs of fa1e whole union. Our southern representatives must take hold of the situation They must devote themselves to the great national and industrial is sues affecting the south, rather than to state and sectional problems. If they will not, then they must read the hand writing on the wall. Our planters mer- chants, bankers manufacturers and wage earners are awakening to our great pos abilities and are going to force the issue. What do we want with men who, when we go to them with a proposition for the development of our section, say; Well, 1 am not sure whether that is democratic principle or not If it is to our southern, as well as our national in- terest, why not in this day of appropria- tions of party principles, make 1t demo- cratic?
 What the south needs and must have is a few more statesmen who will take up these great questions ana develop them We also need the return of Me- Laurin to the Senate and the Palmetto State must seize the first opportunity to place him there. Being so closely identified with the development of the cotton industry in the south along with her other industries, and having parti- cipated in the deliberations of the New Orleans convention, he is pre-eminently the man to lead this important move ment. This is a bigger issue than some of the petty measures in south Caro- lima, and not only this state, but the whole south needs him, and his own state must not allow the personal an- tagonisms that exist within her borders to deprive the country of his services.
 "In Washington We met a representa- tive of the Japanese government, sent there to purchase 3,O00,000 pounds of yarn After talking with him we are of the opinion as expressed by Senator Me Laurin, that if proper trade relations are established with the oriental countries it will require 25000,00O extra bales to supply the trade.
 "The day of greater industrial and commercial development of the south is dawning and the statesman who fails to awaken to this great situation will find that the days of his usefulness to his people have passed"