The Colorado statesman., 1913-09-13

Olmsted, who later became our great
est landscape architect, made several
memorable visits to the south. The
books of travel he then wrote are
priced by historians as on the whole
the best material we have concerning
the economic condition of the south
while slavery endured.
A dozen years ago another traveller,
with Olmsted's books in his bag.
toured the entire south with much the
same general inquiry in his mind. He
wanted to learn how much the labor
system of the south had improved.
He came back rather discouraged
about the Negroes, but rather enthu-
siastic about the growing disposition
OF the South to use more and more
white labor, both native and foreign.
Perhaps his judgment was somewhat
Influenced by the feeling of the south
erners round him, and particularly by
their eagerness to attract immigration.
At that time this eagerness was not
only very great, but rather undiscrimi-
mating. Apparently, the south wanted
all the white men 1t could get, from
whatever quarter. Today there are
signs that the attitude of the south
on this important matter has some
what changed. The desire for immi-
grants from the north is, indeed, still
undiminished. There Is also hearty
welcome for European immigrants of
races known to be readily assimilable
by the southern native stocks-which
are mainly English, Scotch and Scotch
Irish, with a smaller admixture of
French and German. But the south
does not seem SO keen as 1t was for
all sorts of immigrants. So much
may perhaps be inferred from the re-
cent course of southerners in con-
gress, particularly Representative
Burnett of Alabama.
Perhaps the best explanation is that
the south, although it has received
few immigrants. has been prospering
nightly during the last decade. I'm
doubtedly, too, the troubles of the
north with foreign labor have made
an impression on thoughtful southern
ers. Perhaps we can hope, also. that
the Negroes themselves have helped
a little to make southerners more con-
tent with things as they are-although
southern white people.
The Negroes themselves seem to be
agreeing more and more with Booker
Washington that the south offers them
their best industrial opportunity. In
that opinion Principal Washington
finds himself strengthened by a close
study of the poorest classes in Eu-
rope, whose condition he Is constant
ly comparing with that Of the Ne
groes in the south. He declares, for
example, that the condition of the
colored farmer, even in the most
backward parts of the southern states
in America. is incomparably better
than the condition and opportunities
of the agricultural population in Sici-
ly" He has reached the same con-
clusion about other parts Of Europe.
For that and for other reasons he
would not welcome a great miscella-
neous immigration into the south. No
doubt in that he truly represents the
mass of his people.
No such unanimity on the subject
can, however. be attributed to south
ern white people. Many complain
that their labor-supply is both scant
and inefficient. and many desire more
settlers in order to hasten the devel-
opment Of the country.
But it does seem true that concern
ing these great matters both the white
and the black south are today In
happier and more hopeful mood than
at any other time since the war
Youths Companion.
The last battle in which a British