The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-29
FRIDAY. JUNE se. 1908.
nvERYpopY coME HOME.

Tn another place on this page will be found letter from Hon. c. R. Farn- ham, of Evergreen, on the subject of Homecoming" for Alabamians, and we also repubiish from The Advertisers flies of October 27, 1900. cormunica- ton from him on the same subject.
 We cannot tell now why Mir. Farm hams first article was not commented on. or why the subject has been allow cd to remain quiet so long. but we en- dorse and second his motion for fix ing a time when as many ex-Alabam- fans as can do so will visit their old home and mingle with relatives and friends of other days. Not a great many of those who have in the past left this State have gone eastward. though a few have gone to Georgia. the Caro- linas. Virginia and other Eastern States. and a great many former Ala bamians are now residents of Wash ington and New York.
 The greater number of those who emigrated from one of the best States in the Union turned their faces and their steps westward or southward. Florida Louisiana, Arkansas, Missis- sippi, have representatives. and Texas has thousands of them. They may also be found in California. New Mexico Oklahoma and Indian Territory, and some still farther Northwest. In fact the great West and Northwest are in- debted to Alabama for very much of their citizenship. and for some of the very best that they have.
 The latter portion of October, as suggested by our correspondent would be suitable time. It may also be bet ter to have different days in several of the larger cities, so that there may be no conflict. and so that the people who emigrated from one section of the State may more easily meet friends and relatives at or near their old homes
 The times and places are matters of detail to be settled in due time. What Is wanted is that there shall be real homecoming week for all ex-AIabam- ians who can and will take advantage of It. It Is done in some portions of England. and the recent observance fin Kentucky was so successful that 1t should encourage our people every where to unite in favor of the idea and make 1t success. It would almost surely become an annual observance if the first trial is as successful as we can make 1t by united effort.
 Right here and now we must enter formal protest against the efforts of
 
 The papers there have spoken of the matter as if nobody ever thought of 1t before, and as If that city is the whole of Alabama and the only place that anybody would care to return to- Now, the fact is that 1t is news to us to learn that anybody wants to return to Birmingham after they once succeed in getting away We really thought that those who were SO fortunate as to get out preferred to stay out and forget that they ever lived there. Sill, those who have left Birmingham may have friends and relatives who have been unable to escape and a visit to them will be pleasure.
 But there is no need to cavlI or recriminate about the matter Neither Birmin gham, Montgomery. Mobile nor any other city Is Alabama From each city and section there have gone out good people to make their homes else where who would account it a pleasure and a privilege to come back to their old homes and mingle with those who were with them In the old days. We shall mot initiate Birmingham and con tend that there should he but one placs 9 designated and Montgomery that place We want 1t so arranged that those who come back to Alabama may have an entire week and during that week may attend a homecoming at several nla hE more friends and kinsfolk than they can otherwise do. Let the newspa- pers all over the State unite in pro viding for a homecoming week, and let there be no bitterness or jealousies in the matter