Evening star., 1909-04-11
TAFT AND THE SOUTH
Secretary Dickinson Speaks
for Administration.
ERA OF GOOD FEELING
Sincere Desire to Cooperate in Pro-
noting Prosperity.
SPEECH TO SOUTHERN CLUBS
Secretary of War, at Chicago Ban
quet, Predicts a Period Of Un-
paralleled Prosperity.

CHICAGO, April 1O-Secretary of War
Dickinson was the guest of honor and
principal speaker at the banquet tonight
of the Southern Club, held in the Audi
torium Annex AS befitting the occa-
sion. Mr.. Dickinson's remarke touched
principally on the relations Of the ad-
ministration toward the south, he de-
claring that he was impressed with the
belief that great good would come to
that section from the administration of
President Taft. The next four years.
Mr.. Dickinson declared, should be a
period of great development in the south,
and economic and Industrial conditions
would exert a more profound influence in
shaping the destinies of the south than
they have hitherto. He spoke substan-
tally as follows:
1.-The compliment of this reception, hav-
ing relation, as it does. to my elevation
to the council of the President of the
United States, Is I am confident, meant
as tribute to him as well as to me. and
1t is right that it should be, for l am
but the humble exponent by which he
has expressed his good will for that part
of the country to which you owe your
birth and to which you consecrate a
love that no time or distance can dimin-
ish.
Many men could be found in the south
who would more than measure up to the
requirements of the Office to which l have
been called, but the ages produce only
at rare intervals men whose hearts go
out spontaneously to those who oppose
their ambition, whose patriotism COM
prehends within Its strivings for the pub
lie welfare impartially every part of the
country, however affected by political diff
ferences. whose courage dares pursue an
nppYnlnrpA which invite harsh
criticism and strong opposition and whose
wisdom is prescient to correctly inter-
pref the spirit of the times.
Prosperous Times Ahead.
Those rare qualities are combined in
the President of the United States, who.
judged by all the standards by which
men are tried. gives such promise as JUS
titles the American people in expecting
all the national prosperity and happiness
that can be vouchsafed by an able, wise,
honest and fearless administration. AT
times we have convictions founded more
upon sentiment than upon knowledge, and
nevertheless they are strOng-yes. often
even stronger than when resting upon
known conditions which reasoning may
dissipate as being without substance or
as inconclusive. / cannot give any def
mite conception of just how 1t WlIl come
about but I am deeply impressed with
the D6IloI lHdI great SOOu 10 6OHlS ~
come to the south under the administra-
ton of President Taft. While cold.
distant unsympathetic President would
not necessarily retard the progress OF
the south, it is certain that one with
warm, big heart, beating in unison
with our hearts a mind alert to discern
and a disposition keen to promote what
will rebound to our welfare, cheery
smile that lifts tons, will act like tonic,
inspiring hope and stimulating to high
endeavors.
No President could effectively help. and
none would continue to be disposed to
help those who are repellant or coldly
distant There is certainly now happy
conjunction. We have Presioent Wno
sincerely wishes to actively cooperate
with us to promote our general welfare
and our people believe in him and give
him their fullest confidence. If that were
all the combination would lack an es-
sential quality. The people of the north.
as is amply manifested by the public
press. are in full harmony with the ut
terances of the President In respect OF
the south This is an invaluable condi-
ticn. for full fruition cannot come with
out their hearty approval and co-opera-
tion.
Era of Good Feeling.
The next four years should be period
of great development in the south An
era of general good feeling. emphasized
by the great neaO vi tue IldtiSu Oh IiS
MANY occasions that will be presented
to him, will give more confidence at home
and. abroad. and both are greatly needed.
Capital will not continue to be alarmed
as it has been in the past by unkind
criticism. higher respect for the law.
Il greater observance OF order. should
and will follow. The prevalence of a
kindlier sentiment will bring about
greater tolerance of differences IN Opin-
ion and promote freer discussion, which
always brings enlightenment. The south
has been much disposed to resent criti-
cism from the outside and to stife ii at
home. There can be no more fatal bar
TO progress There will always be some
there. as is always the case elsewhere.
who prefer the sway of prejudice, who
wcuid rather continue conditions that
foster appeals to ignorance and passion,
who would rather rule in stagnant
civilization than be relegated to the OBJ
scuriiy that awaits them when better
ideals prevail and leadership that en-
braces i'm its patriotism the entire country
is successful.
Changes in the South.
Economic and industrial conditions will
exert a more profound influence in slap
ing the destinies of the south than they
have hitherto. More and more are we
realizing the necessity for cooperative
exertion. The old civilization of the
south i'm its nature fostered indivdualsm
and developed personal independence at
the expense of communal interest The
plantation was government within it
self. where under the old regime every
thing was carried on upon an independent
basis. There was very little general pub
lie cooperation. The schooling was
largely through private tutors or the
voluntary association of those of the
same social class Even the roads were
largely built by the planters at their
1 1ypNr all
pervading sense that each man must
work out his own destiny.
There were produced under this srs-
tenn a strength OF character. Il self-re-
lance and ID personal independence and
courage that have never been surpassed.
Through such a personnel the nation was
greatly enriched by the services of great
administrators of public affairs and ma