The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-29

come very querelous about certain books, anent the, negro question, and the sundry questions that come daily up for the Southern man to solve. This same reviewer complains that books like The Leopards Spots;" The Law of the Land' and some others are changing the whole view of the North toward the negro. The reviewer com plains but shown as these books show him less intent, less eagerness to push him on. less wit to make him by a hey presto" a gentleman and a scholor He even fears that some of the really good moves toward negro education and elevation will be by such books retarded. There is no fear that any real good work can be stayed. It Is very natural that the pendulum swing back. It is we'll If such books bring the swing. Nothing gives clearer, more vivid insight into problem than its exploiting in romance. Instance the many reforms brought about by Dickens books, note the immense swell Uncle Toms Cabin" gave to the abolition move- ment. It is well indeed if the keen pen of the novelist show more plainly to the whole people the true aspect of problems that the South has so long struggled with. The book revived some weeks ago in these columns has excited much interest among the lead ing statesmen of the South Of it some of Alabama's Senators and Congress- men say: t--
 Hon. John T. Morgan. Senator from Alabama--I am seldom engaged in novel reading even as n pleasure, but taking up The Law of the Land" I read it with interest. when other mat ters were pressing. The style of the writer is vigorous. earnest and attrac- tive. The hero and heroine are char acters of high rank In fiction The description of the negro in politics is quite forcible.
 Hon. Ariosto A. Wiley, Member of Congress from Alabama-While the Delta country of the Mississippi is chosen by the author of The Law of the Land' for the scene of the action. his statement of the conditions which existed on the plantations. in the ham, lets. towns and cities throughout that section applies with equal correctness to the state of affairs expressing the entire South during the years of re- construction. The love story, so deli cately entwined throughout, Is fanci- mating indeed: and all the characters having a part therein are of d most interesting type. Were this all, it Woulu III my opinion De worth ones while.
 But the part I wish especially to in- dorse is the strong and forceful argu- ment therein made for white supremacy on this continent for all time to come the supremacy which thus far has been, and which 1 indulge the belief will con tinue to be, The Law of the Land"
 Hon. Sydney J. Bowie, Member of Congress from Alaba ma.-I have read The Law of the Land," by Emerson Hough, and was very much interested in it. It contains many statements of fact not generally understood, and will surely prove of value to both sections of our country.
 Hon. O. w. Und erwood, Member of Congress from Alabama-'"The Law of the Land" most vividly portrays cer- tain portions of the life in the far South as it existed immediately after the Civil War. It occupies ones in- terest throughout, and MT. Hough can well be congratulated on giving to the public such a charming story.