The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1911-12-01
NAkENING OF
yOUTH BEGINS
LDuncan U. Fletcher, of Flor
a. in Chicago Interview
1|S0UR ADVANTAGES
Work Of Southern Commercial Con-
i Reviewed Rings Florida In
4. is Full Share of Praise

"A NHNttVNe 'o''Ss
~ lis Full Share of Praise
,,or Fletcher, who is president
/. Southern Commercial congress,
,ho is at present in Chicago for
( odmer hearing is a most earnest
Ven in the south and its national
,tance He believes Chicago has
',pn opportunity to share in the
IA Of the southland.
rSicago has, believe, through its
!. association of commerce. enjoyed
[nber of business tours into and
NH the south, said Senator
|SSer. "The effect was good upon
Nv who participated, and their re.
E,have served to arouse a great
4 general interest in the southern
\ and their development, but |
IA like to see thousands of Chicago
ssss men 90 down into the south,
rler to realize what the south is
10y to in national influences and in
bal development.
me Southern Commercial congress,
Rch am president, is the name
organization that is uniting all
instructive forces of the south in
" single endeavor with two gener-
EpOSeS.
fhe first purpose is to bring the en-
southern population to more cor
understanding Of the resources of
salh and their significance rela-
10 zach mans business.
FIhe second purpose is to sweep out,
= N mind of the nation and of the
lmisspprehensions regarding the
ID substituting therefore, the
sk Of the south.
Ihe Southern Commercial congress,
ns that, as the south is possessed
niership along nine lines of physi-
rSource, the utilization of those
Nces must make the south giori-
prosper and become nationally
bdant.
10 make this clear, let me name
resources in which the south eXcels:
st lines, navigable streams, water
Ess, rainfall, wet lands, soils, grow
hours, forests, minerals. Upon
b. nine facts tn Southern CONNER.
Dngress bases chiefly its work.
Three years ago it came into exist
pat a meeting of commercial sec
|Ees in Chattanooga, Tenn. With
N months it had established its
rauarters in Washington, and there
J grown out of its work since Feb
y, 1909. the erection Of the great
Ihern building in Washington, thus
Pr physical demonstration OF the
pas return to the capital of the ma
The great organization works in the
IN Of the mind. 1t touches no bust
: and sells nothing. Ii is not in poll
! and It attempts TO settle no moot
ktOns. 1t contents itself through
| he nation in emphasizing the facts
ne south so as to drive away errOn-
! IDEAS. In three years it has
'sn from nothing until it has be-
va nation wide influence, for in
MOI working solely for the devel-
leat OF the southern states as a sec
'fls working for the disappear
sd sectional understanding, and,
" words of its slogan, For a great
iallon through a greater south.
a! our annual meeting in Atlanta
March 10000 men were gathered
s'aer. 5000 of them from outside
'ate Of Georgia. Our next regu-
Meeting will be in Nashville in 1912.
Will deal with the great subjects OF
culture, education and immigration.
VIZ the Southern commercial con-
Will act as the directing force
WI hold its meetings in New Or
Y Keeping the topics close to the
~ OF commerce. In 1914 it will
.m oklahoma, in order to utilize
Senty-fifth birthday of Oklahoma
means Of emphasizing IN the ma
\ mind the rapidity of development
Is Inherent in the whole south.
eahs OF its varied and unequaled
l'ees. In 1915 our meeting will be
W Washington or Richmond, and
No 10. deal with the facts of the war,
wv altogether deal with the VIC.
lu nifty years of peace.
low let me 60 into a little detail
now the advantage and opportuni-
"ssessed by the south.
Toe first place, the most impor-
ssset In any country is the people
~ country. | do not wish TO
eohcerning the character OF the
e'n people. Let me refer, not IN
aess, because that has passed
out as a matter of history. to
'sct that forty-six years ago, I
!. but day in the life of a ma.
NE south was in desolation and
!. Despair sat by her fireside and
'Pes had turned to ashes, and the {
hed blown away.
: nad suffered defeat in war and
~ -, sou. O00, 600 in property. and
!, cent of her population. The
q her government, the life OF her .
snd genius of her institutions
8oyed. No people ever suffer-