New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-21
Southern Commercial Congress

In the same strain, looking forward 70
the blessing Of peace, but asserting that
victory must first be secured. Oscar D.
Straus said:
"when this war began the only country
thoroughly prepared was our enemy. we
shall not be found lacking hereafter. we
hall prepare for the reconstruction OF the
world after the war, first OF all, by doing
everything possible to insure victory.
Governor Richard l. Manning, OF South
Carolina, speaking at later meeting held
at the City Hall, said:
Just as this congress meeting hero now
comes from a part Of our common country
ust as all America is part Of the ellied ma
IONS In the great world war, so all parts OF
the country are one In the prosecution Oh tnat
var. Never in our history have the resources
and the men Of the land been 80 solidly be-
hind tho President and the government as
now. North and South, hand in hand, We will
fight the fight to victory for humanity, for
,afety for large and small nations, for world
democracy"
THE Importance of the Southern
i Commercial Congress
"The Brooklyn Eagle" discussing the
convention Just as it was converting, re-
marked:
zone Of the aspects Of the war frequently
overlooked Is the soidifying Of the best
clements in all parts of tho world and the
binding together Of sections, nations and
= Tho Crpnf
conflict has taught the world that It is de-
pendent upon solidarity. Interdepsndcnce
In all human endeavor has been reduced
from theory to actually and has brought
about relationships that will do most to
discount the destructiveness Of the past
three years.
an the solldifying Of national interests
this result has been most marked, and the
Southern States have felt the call and re-
sponded 20 the spirit in an unmistakable
manner. There were many decades after
the Civil War before the South itself was
united. The war OF secession was rally
ing point that held the Confederate States
in a kind of sentimental bond, but as the
war receded and the South turned to other
interests even this unity diminished. It was
not until 1908 that tho Southern Commercial
Congress came into being. and it was the
first organization of the kind In tho section.
New York could hardly be expected fully
70 appreciate the transformation that has
taken place in the South in recent years
without some striking proof. That proof Is
furnished by the congress now in session
here. Ard II IS significant that the meeting
which will bring here the most distinguished
Americans as well as the diplomatic repre-
sentatives ot our Allies has for It's general
theme international Reconstruction In
Europe reconstruction after the war Is re-
ceiving much attention. Here wo have
hardly given It a thought II has remained
for the South, which Of all sections knows
what the problem of reconstruction after
war means, to focus interest upon this phase
a the war and upon its own part In IT.
Back OF It 1.-THE congressl," declared
1.-THE New York Herald" Stands record
Of real accomplishment"-to be specific,
nine years of earnest and effective con-
structive effort" as 1.-The New York Sun"
put It.
"The sturdy Americanlsm Of our South
ern neighbors has appealed to u.s." said
1.-THE Pittsburgh Dispatch"