The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-07
SOUTHERN LEADERSHIP IN NATIONAL

Dr. Charles W. Dabney. president Of the Uni
verslty OF Cincinnati, gave forth some strong
and suggestive utterances in his Independence
Day address at Knoxville, Tenn Ae pointed
out with pride and pleasure the signs OF the
South's returning influence in the government
cT this nation This he attributes 10 the TACT
thar southern statesmen no longer spend their
time IN useless theoretical propositions or in +
the discussion Of issues. such as the right of
state 70 secede. long since settled by the arbit-
raxnent Of war But they are turning their At
teution to the solution of the grave problems
that affect modern lie and those questions that
have TO do with the education and welfare. the
progress and prosperity OF society
This is a very clear analysis Of the situation
The passing years that separate us more and
more from the civil War serving to break
down sectional lines aud destroy the narrow ex-
clusiveness once so common In the South. Thei
war with an ever-ncreasng portion Of our pop
ulatian is but an historic memory~~a memory
cherished as one Of the holy heritages Of our
Southland, but memory that erects no barri-
ers Of prejudice or bitterness along the Mason
and Dixon line. The years have served TO release
us from the influence of those conditions that
Get limits to the horizons Of the Southeruer's
perspective and alienated his interest and sym
pathies from the affairs OF the sections beyond
his borders
Time has brought larger commercial relation
ships with other parts of the common country
ami larger political participation In the solu-
ton of problems that hold national connection
pu1 trtp has
wunierfstl advance In education and hformav
ton, and shis has produced Its inevitable re-
suits in the widening of vision and the clarity
ing OF judgment, Sueh influences operating,
through the length and breadth of Dixie.
have given birth new national con
seriousness We have passed beyond the period
Of excluding ourselves from Identification with
nationwide questions and movements. We no
longer regard ourselves q section misunder-
stood and maIiened, overridden by superior
nun bers and force, and oppressed by the hee! oi
an unsympatnetc and tyrannical majority. But
new generation has risen holding that the
South is an integral part of the nation, is there
fore affected in large degree by all that touches
the life OF the whole nation. and hence is under
obligation to contribute its part in thought ane
action to the solution of national problems, ane
the furtneranee OF national prosperity and pro
gress,
The birth Of this new national consciousness
and interest has brought forth It's Legitimate
fruitage In Larger activity and larger inhu
enee III national affairs. Soctonalism stunt
the stature Of manhood Men can not grow Il
full measure, OF stfEngth and Influence whei
held In the clutch OF narrowness and exclusive
ness Wide vision, broad and deep sympathies
~aEied interests. make>tnen grow and produce
now and then greatness. So sure as the Souti
emphasizes It's intimate relation 10 the who'll
nation, and feels its responsibilities in the con
tribution OF thought and endeaYor to the work
ing out of the problems Of national life, will tn
South continue TO WELD an increasingly prom
inent and influential part in the making Of GU
history.
Position and power in the affairs Of the gov
a srRasent should he ouFs by Reason of euF aatG
raj fitness The best blood and the hottest ira
ditions OF this republic flow in our veins ant
abide in hearts. The population of Nortl
and East and West has come to be influenced
in it's ideals and spirit by the influx of foreign
ers, from whom, by intermarrage or cQnstan
association, have come ideas Of life out of har
mony with the original spirit Of the republic
In blood In morals, in the heritage OF history
and the spirit Of the founders Of this nation
The South can to-day lay strongest claim to be
ing distinctyely American, and the South TO
day should be giving color 10 the nations
thought and direction to it's activities Now tina
the Bloody shirt has ceased TO wave and tn
race problem has largely lost its political sig
nitieance, we can afford 10 be Independent ii
thought. viewing national problems not from
the angle 81 sectional prejudice and passion, blu
with the patriotic purpose to find such solution
as shall best serve q united people Such con
secration OF independent thought and patriotic
serviee TO the life Of the nation will cer4ainl.
win for the South new and larger Leadership
in natior'al affairs.
THE WISH FArIiIR TO THE THOUGHT
The Governors speech at fredericksburg, II
which be had something to say about represen