The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1921-05-07
THE sTEPcHILD OF THE UNION

With the advent of the Republican
party into power no one who thinks
a little could expect the retention Of
the Naval Station at Gulfport, not
withstanding how strong the pressure
was brought to bear.
To the credit of Senator Pat Har-
rison and Congressman Paul John
son it must be said hard fight,
backed by the people at home, was
waged and every intelligent effort
was exerted but all in vain. That
the matter is one of rankest discrim-
ination against the South and SEEM
ingly more particular against Missis-
sippi is apparent. In this connection
the able Commercial Appeal of Mem
phis calls Mississippi the stepchild Of
the Union, and the appellation in
the sense is not amiss.
That newspaper of the 9th inst,
carries the following expression:
THE American people will univer-
sally applaud the announced decis-
ion of the administration to adopt q
policy of economy, and most of them
will be greatly pleased if this policy
is resolutely adhered to in practice;
but right thinking persons and true
patriots will just as warmly disap-
prove of any marked Discrimination
that may be practiced in Applying
this much needed reform. The
South, since the Civil War, has been
grossly Disseminated against by the
federal government; but one would
suppose that we had moved far
enough from that tragic event for
the north's well-known passion for
union to acquire full play.
But such seems very far from be-
ing true. The news comes from the
capital that, despite strenuous op-
position upon the part of Mississip-
pTs representatives, Secretary DENLY
has decided to abandon the naval
training station located at Gulfport.
We are unfamiliar with the history
of the station, but, as a commission
is to be appointed to negotiate it's
return to the "state, county, etc."
we imagine that what the secretary
calls "this splendid property" was
provided at some sacrifice upon the
part of Mississippians.
Those who have been so FORUM
ate to visit the training station at
Gulfport will agree with Secretary
Denby's Characterization of it. One,
can scarcely imagine a more salts
factory location for such a purpose.
Located on the Mississippi Sound,
which furnishes every needed facil-
ity for the proper development of
our naval forces; possessed of a salu-
brious atmosphere, which contributes
to health and facilitates training.
nothing is wanting to make a COM
pelllng appeal to the present admin
istration, but that the whole affair,
land, sea and air be physically trans
ferred to the coast of Massachusetts.
While the South has been the
object of discrimination, Mississippi
has been the step-child of the Union.
Tagging behind none of the sister
hood of states in her contribution I'd
the valor and talent of the republic.
Mississippi has the proud misfortune
to be the state of Jefferson Davis, q
statesman without superior; a STAIN
less Christian and gentleman, sans
peur ct sans reproche. Mississippi
needs no federal doles to test her inn
portance. If her sons and daughters
will only cherish the great deeds Of
Their sires and emulate their bright
examples. transmitting to posterity
the true elements of her greatness
unlmpaired, then she can stand
proudly alone, unsupported by facti-
tious aid from any source"