The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-10
Able Addresses Delivered at
State Press Association
Meeting.
EDWIN sHoBsToN. OF JACKSON.
VILE, DISCUSSES NEED OF I'M.
MIGRANTS IN FLORIDA BEFORE
A REPRESENTATIVE GATHER.
ING OF NEWSPAPER MEN AT
KEY WEST.

The. following is the text of q
speech delivered before the Florida
Editorial Association at Key West
on the subject of Immigration. by Mr.
Edwin Brobston of Jacksonville.
The immigration question has ever
been an interesting theme. The i'm
migration spirit Is co-existent with
the hearts longing for better
things" 1t is allied to the quest for
adventure which has ever existed
among enlightened beings. 1t appears
TO be a part of the migratory interest
which has propelled civilization
around the earth on its westward
course.
When Abraham started out for a
new country he became the most dis
tinguished immigrant of ancient
times; he was well received as a
stranger, his example became an in
SEPARATION to the future; how much
the world has been indebted to his
first decision is impossible to esti-
mate
Moses was perhaps the greatest
immigration agent of all the worlds
history, for he prevailed upon a
whole nation to rise up to seek for
more congenial environments in a
strange and unknown land. To him
we are perhaps indebted for the pres
ervation OF a history of the human
race.
Since the days Of Abraham and
Moses the history Of immigration or
voluntary removal of peoples to new
fields Of endeavor mas ever proven
beneficial, not alone to those who
come, but the new field of endeavor
has been improved or enriched there
by.
No example of modern times is
quite so replete with lessons as the
Story of the Hugenots from France.
Since every country has improved
from a voluntary influx of good peo-
pie, 1t is assumed we are of one ac-
cord on the proposition that desir-
able class of new people would be
beneficial not alone to Florida, but
our entire Southland as we'll.
Il
miles Of territory principally fertile
and all capable of use. having eli
mate equable and unsurpassed, is
capable of sustaining ten million peo-
pie, which few who are familiar with
our resources will question. Yet to-
day we have only about $4,000 white
people and a total population of less
than three-quarters Of million. All
the people of Florida equal about the
number of people who live in Balti
more. These figures should keep us
thinking-should force a realization
that we should be up and doing.
The coming in of desirable people
will increase our influence, will i'm
prove our society and will finally re-
suit in the development of our terri
tory.
All the necessities, Injuries and
conveniences of modern times will be
brought more to the universal en-.
joyment OF our people when we build
upon our foundation the structure
with which we can turn the tide of
immigration toward US.
The South is more prosperous to-
dayNhan atany time in her history; is
1t not also true that she is receiving
more new blood and new money than
at any time in her history?
New people create greater de-
niands. compelling productions to
meet the needs and wants of the
world, causing waste lands to be
titled, great industries to rise, and
consequent prosperity.
But while we have some cause to
rejoice in our present and in our
prospect for prosperity, is it not also
true that we have too long contented
ourselves with the Niger and the
Mules?" Net that I would discount
the value of these agencies to US.
aIa among those who believe these
two comprise the bulwark of our
strength, for upon them we mainly
rely for the production of cotton
Cotton is King" and through it we
shall some day gain supremacy in
the world of commerce. Already one
quarter of the value of American ex-
ports are produced from cotton or by
its by-products. The time should
come when we will cease to export
raw cotton, but export cotton goods.
When We shall mix our brain and
muscle with the product of our fields,
our mines and our forests and shall
send them forth to the four corners
or the earth to gladden. the nations,
while making our own people the
richest that the minds of men ever
dreamed Of
There are estimated to be 1900.
100000 people in the world, of which
only 500,oo0.ooo are f1lly clothed;
f50.o00,000 wear but scant clothing.
and a5o.0o0,8e wear no clothes an
all AS part of the program of uni.
versal education, it will be our lob
10 clothe the people This viii re-
uuire from 100000 to $4,000 OOo
bales of cotton, so that our cotton
farmers need have no fear of an in.
| fux of immigrants to depress things