The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-09

The Southern Commercial Congress has from
me beginning OF Its work in 1905 constantly
declared that she acres OF the South had better
remain empty than in any way lead to an
increase of the racial problem. In the affirma
uon OF the congress put forth in Atlanta March
1911. the following sentences appear: 1--WE in
vie to the task of the South's development
all men OF good intent who. with perfect pro-
Miety seek to better their lot In lite by trans
forming the opportunities that nature sets be-
Tore them Through causes now historic,
racial struggle became fastened upon the South.
While therefore. DESTROYS Of aid from
strong men and true in developing the South.
We hereby declare ourselves unalterab1y OPP
posed to the filling of the South by men who
have no sense of the ideals toward which we
are straining and whose standards OF behavior
might be expected to produce further com
plcation of our racial problem.
Unless you are familiar with the South, its
civilization and its prospects, the above defined
attitude may he difficult to understand. If.
however you know the South. you will the
reasonah eness of this attitude at once. The
South as whole represented by it's most care
full thinkers and statesmen is demanding that
the immigrants who to the South shah
LIST. That they shall sympathZe with the
governmental ideals of this country.
I'd. That they shall come to America with
the intention of making 1t permanent home
3D., That they shall regard the paramount
claims of racial purity. If they fail in either
of these tests they are not wanted in the
South In taking such position, the South
ern States neither narrow nor selfish nor
un- American, but seeking to maintain and
perpetuate the progressive spirit which has been
characteristic of the American people since the
task of subdung continent was placed be-
fore 1t In the eighteenth century. when the
colonies ceased to be such and became a ma
ton.
There is an ideal more important to the
Southern States than numerical expansion. 1t
is the REM naturalization OF the statesmanshp
that guided this country through the trials OF
its constitutional years. We look for this in
order that Southern statesmanship may now be
brought to bear with equal force the prob
lens OF the country along lines of business en-
deavor and development. We are convinced
that our civilization will DO weakened by racial
blend. We are convinced il Will be strength
ened by still more insistent demand for ra-
cal demarcaton.
The South has room in 1t for millions OF
ght-thnkng. self-supporting men, and such
will be welcomed and are already vel
coined. AS see 1t. the test to be applied
| to the immigrant IL possible. is vastly more
important along tho lines of character and
personal standards than in the matter of money.
head tax and Hteracy, important though these
three As, hoWevec standards OF be-
havior are difficult OF detection in the indivld-
uai we have TO be guided by the characteristics
of the nation from which the individual comes.
The greatness of this country was defined ana
rendered possible by the stream of immigrants
that reached here between 1918 and 1889. That
stream was 90 per cent North European me
Southern States are. therefore, strongly in fla
vor of restricting immigration TO those who.
sympathzing with ideals. intend to cast
in their lot with us and viii help maintain Il
white civilization.
| Yours very truly,
| fSigned) O. GRoSvENoR DAVE.
Managing Director