The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-19
GOLDEN
ERA IMPENDS
IN THE SOUTH
SENATOR FLETCHER URGES CHI
cAGo PEOPLE TO SHARE IN
THE COMING DEVELOPMENT
WHICH Is CERTAIN TO COME.

Senator Fletcher, who is president
of the Southern Commercial Congress,
and who is at present in Chicago for
the Lorimer hearings, is a most
earnest believer in the south and it's
| national importance. He believes Chi
cago has a golden opportunity to
share in the benefits that will accrue
from the coming development of the
southland.
Chicago has, believe, through its
| great association of commerce. en-
joyed a number of business tours into
and through the SOUTH" said Senator
Fletcher to a representative of the
Chicago Daily Tribune last Tuesday.
The effect was good upon the few
who participated, and their reports
have served to arouse a great deal of
general interest in the southern states,
and their development, but I should
like to see thousands of Chicago bust
ness men go down into the south, in
order to realize what the south is
coming to in national influence and IN
national development.
Congress Unites Forces.
''The Southern Commercial Con-
gress. of which am president, is the
name ofsan organization that is unit
ing all the constructive forces of the
south into one single endeavor with
two general purposes.
The first purpose is to bring the
entire southern population to more
correct understanding Of the resources
of the south and their significance rel
alive to each mans business,
The second purpose is to sweep out
Of the mind of the nation and of the
world misapprehensions regarding the
south, substituting therefor the truths
Of the south.
"The Southern Commercial Con-
gress argues that, as the south is pos
sessed of leadership along lines of
nphysical resources, the utilization of
those resources must make the south
gloriously prosper and become nation
ally important.
ITO make this clear, let me name
the resources in which the south ex-
cells: Coast lines, navigable streams,
water powers, rainfall wet lands, soils,
growing hours, forests, mineral. Upon
these nine facts the Southern Com
mereial Congress bases chiefly its
work.
In Existence Three Years.
Three years ago it came into ex-
fstence at meeting of commercial
secretaries in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Within six months 1t had established
its headquarters in Washington, and
there has grown out of it's work since
February, 1909, the erection of the
great Southern building in Washing
ton, thus giving physical demonstra-
ton of the south's return to the cap
ital of the nation.
1.-THE great organization works in
the realm of the mind. 1t touches no
business and sells nothing. 1t is not
in politics, and 1t attempts to settle
no moot questions. It contents itself
Throughout the nation in emphasizing
the facts of the south so as to drive
away erroneous ideas. In three years
1t has grown from nothing until it
has become a nation wide influence,
for instead of working solely for the
development of the southern states as
a section 1t is working for the disap-
pearance of sectional misunderstand
ing, and, in the words of its slogan,
For greater nation through a greater
south
To Go to Canal Opening.
Eat our annual meeting in Atlanta
last March 10000 men were gathered
together, 5000 of them from outside
the state of Georgia. Our next regu-
lar meeting will be in Nashville in
April. 1912, and will deal with the
great subjects Of agriculture, educa-
ton, and immigration. In 1913 the
Southern Commercial Congress will
act as the directing force in a national
pilgrimage to the canal zone and will
hold It's meetings in New Orleans,
keeping the topics close to the general
subject of commerce. In 1914 it will
meet in Oklahoma, in order to utilize
the twenty fifth birthday of Oklahoma
as a means of emphasizing on the ma
tional mind the rapidity of develop
ment which is inherent in the whole
south by means Of its varied and IN
equaled resources. In 1915 our meet
ing will be held in Washington or
Richmond and will not deal with the
facts of the war. but will altogether
deal with the victories Of fifty years
of peace.
Tells of South's Advantages.
Nov let me go into a little detail
and show the advantage and oppor-
tunities possessed by the south.
TN the first place, the most import
ant asset in any country is the people
of that country. / do not wish TO
boast concerning the character of
southern people. Let me refer, not in
bitterness. because that has passed
away, but as a matter Of history, to
the fact that forty-six years ago, which
is but a day in the life of nation
the south was in desolation and gloom.
Despair sat by her firesides and her
hopes had turned to ashes and the |
ashes were blown away.
She had suffered defeat in war and
a loss Of SO. SOC, 100000 in property and
10 per cent of her population. The
form of her government, the life of
her society and genius of her insti-
buttons were destroyed. No people
ever suffered such losses in all his
tory and survived.
Tells of Reconstruction After 1856.
Her people, with that self-reliance.
Eo+o ino fny