The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-23
GETTING uNnAsY.

The Savannah Press refers to a re- cent declaration made by Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. in the discus sion of the immigration bill. The Press regards the language used by Lodge as evidence of a determination on his part to throw all possible obsta- cles in the way of this section in it's efforts to obtain foreign immigrants. Representing the State I do," he said, T can never consent to any weaken ing of these defensive measures"
 By the expression these defensive measures" The Press understands that Lodge means the defence of New Eng land against Southern industrial ad- vancement and competition. That pa- per argues that with thousands of capable, enterprising, skillful white men and women pouring into the South through Charleston, Savannah and other ports, ample labor would soon be provided for more and larger mills. manufacturing not only the coarse grades of goods. but the finest cotton fabrics as well. Lodge knows that. Up to this time New England has mafn- tained its supremacy so far as the finer qualities are concerned. That suprem- acy will soon be threatened. To ward off the evil day as far as possible Is the real object of the opposition to any lessening of the immigration restric- tions"
 So much for Lodge and New England and their fears. We notice that The Chicago Chronicle is also disposed to look with apprehension on the prospect of the South coming to the front through or by the influx of white for eigners. It tries to hold up a scare crow before us by the intimation that this immigration may become so great that the foreigners may take control of the South and its interests. but adds:
 only the Southern people, white and black, but there is another aspect of 1t which deeply interests the whole coun- try. The political superiority of the North at present is due entirely to tot the has hitherto shown for the West over the South. If the tide of immigration Is now to be diverted from the West to the South, it means that from this time the popuiousness of the South is to approach that of the North and ulti- mately. perhaps, to surpass it. That means that the scepter of power will pass back into the hands of the South.
 There is plainly the fly in the oint- ment-the fear that a greater South may come up which will dominate and lead. as it did in the better days of the Republic, and as it might even now be doing had it not been for the malevolence, jealousy and restrictive conduct of a Government controlled by Northern people and sentiment. Per- haps Lodge had something of the same kind of foresight or provision. and is after warding off the danger as he sees 1t. Be that as it may, there is in some sections of the North, and among some of it's leaders, a disposition to bar im- possible. That this does not proceed from any solicitude for the well-being of this section, is plain. It is because they fear that a heavy influx of intel ligent and industrious white foreigners, who would naturally assimilate with our people, would inevitably, perhaps, lead to the industrial and political as- tendency of the South and enable 1t to take control of the Government. That is where the shoe pinches.