The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-10
PLEA FOR IMMIGRATION
TO EDITORS OF FLORIDA

by over-production, and when we
realize that the commonest cloth
doubles the value of cotton and each
grade fine doubles again, let US look
forward to the day when King Cotton
will rule entirely his Southern throne.
While we are specializing about the
future value of cotton, let US bear in
mind the fact that our entire country
has developed until its wealth already
staggers the comprehension of civil
lied man and this vast increase has
come mainly from the development
caused by the bringing in Of new peo-
pie. New blood. new muscle. new
money brought to us during the past
fifty years by foreigners is the main
pillar of our Wanted glory.
A study of the census reports will
show that more than so per cent. OF
those who come here settle and their
descendants live within 500 miles of
where they landed. 1t will also show
that so per cent. of our country's
wealth and power is concentrated
within that same radius. Therefore
the Importance to us Of developing
some steamship lines to bring direct
trade by which immigrants may land
direct at Southern ports The people
of the South need to be aroused on
this subject; the rest OF the country
is watching us with jealous eyes. Al
ready they are closing the gates to
m mi Org frrr or nh
them widest open. The door will
close if We remain passive, therefore,
If We are to do anything we must do
it quickly. 1t is for you, gentlemen
of the press, TO sound the alarm from
the house tops, You men of the peo-
pie who love your state-who would
like to see her. the most glorious of
all this Union. 1t is your opportunity
Il trust you will conceive it your
duty.
From now until the legislature
meets keep the question alive, keep
the woods on fire. let the people see
the importance of this matter, bring
to their attention the immigration
bill which is to be presented ana
which should be framed as will pro-
vide ways and means by which our
state authorities will be authorized
to take steps necessary to bring in de-
sirable settlers, thus enabling Florida
to lead instead of follow the progress
sive movement which is setting in
through our entire Southland.
This is critical period of our
South's history-the turn this matter
will take is largely dependent on the
turn which the press will give it.
Remember we are confronted by no
easy task.
Remember that fallacies and preju-
dices must be overcome and dispelled.
Remember that prejudice has ever
been a veritable Chinese Wall to
scale, and yet this wall must come
down when the truth is known.
Not alone are we to overcome the
fifty years of untruth and calumny
which has been piled up against the
fair name of the South by foes from
within and without, but our own peo-
pie are to be educated against this
undercurrent of antagonism which we
feel in presenting the subject. All of
this Will draw upon your resource of
patience, energy and loyalty. But
the work is noble, the rewards will
be rich and abundant And above
the returns from a commercial stand
point is the betterment of mankind
which will be conserved.
1t is useless to discuss the power
or the press. We recognize in it the
potential agency through which pub
lie opinion is aroused and moulded.
Viewing it from that standpoint it is
within the province of this associa-
ten to give the movement in Florida
not only a start but to analyze its
conditions in such a way as to pre-
sent every feature of it, good or bad.
so as to attract the attention of the
nation.
Knowing conditions as I do. I feel
satisfied that your weight on the side
necessary to influence its success will
be freely given