Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-04-02
Prepares to Begin
Campaign Up the
Valley Soon :

With words Of encouragement and APP
probation in great numbers from points
in the Valley and Texas outside the Val
lev. as well as from a number Of other
states, ID. A. 0'Brien last night an
nounced that. greatly pleased with what
has been accomplished here, he IS laying
his plans 10 leave Tuesday evening for
Roma. Starr county, to begin his outside
OF Brownsville campaign for the ;. o. ;.
He gave the Herald the following
statement;
II have just made n summary OF this
weeks activities in behalf of the 5. Q. ).
fund and am greatly pleased with what
has been accomplished
Messages bringing words OF encour-
agement and appreciation have been re-
ceived in great numbers not only from
points in the Rio Grande Valley and
Texas outside the Valley, but from
number Of outside states. the receipt OF
which adds to my determination to carry
the s. O. S. drive to successful con
clusion.
When / agreed to accept the respons-
bility Of this campaign | did so because
Of my conviction that the funds needed
TO complete the railroad and harbor pro-
jects must come from those who could
least afford to assist in financial way
and my experience during the past three
weeks has convinced me that our victory
over corporate greed and personal self
ishness must be purchased by those
whose very existence is being threat
ened BY the forces who have planned
10 make this Valley of human chattels.
That the great masses Of our people are
in sympathy with me in my determln-
alton TO effect the commercial emanci-
patton Of this section has been evidenced
on every hand. Never in the history of
this country has any movement re-
ceived such universal support as has the
movement to Save Our Seaport. Never
have the common people of any COM
munity been awakened to the danger
which threatens from without and with
in as havS, the people of Brownsville and
the Rio Crande Valley during the past
three weeks. Those whom they had de
pended for relief have failed them and
they have determined 70 work out their
own salvation by individual effort, and
wrest from their oppressors the right
TO enjoy life. liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness; they have determined to put
an end to conditions which have made
possible the tragedies that have been en-
acted by the oppressor on one hand
and the farmer on the other, the trag-
edies Of foreclosures and the sorrows,
sufferings. heartaches and poverty which
follow in their wake; and they have de-
termined 10 establish in their stead con-
ditions which will make il possible for
a man to be a man if he is willing to
toll and under which the humblest may
gather the fruits OF the soil.
The common people are united in a
supreme effort TO do that which will
bring them relief from confiscatory
freight rates and kindred evils and they
are determined that nothing shall pre-
vent the completion Of our railroad and
harbor improvements which will unlock
the gate to Gods Highway. give them
access to the markets OF the world and
force the powers that have been bleeding
them white 10 give them the treatmeit
and consideration to which they are en-
titled.
Every organization in Brownsville is
giving the $. o. s. movement moral and
financial support. The noble women of
Brownsville. the boys and girls and even
the children have done everything with
in their power TO show that they are
awake TO the dangers which threaten and
are determined to avert them.
Il have already used some of the
pennies Of the children and the dollars
Of the grown folks, who are supporting
me, to conserve what has been done and
10 save what | have always claimed TO
be the Valleys best asset.
1t is too bad that some of our citi-
zens who have heretofore manifested
an interest in our railroad and harbor
projects by subscribing freely to the
channel fund and buying literally OF
bonds hesitate to help now when real
ization is so close at hand. No matter
what any individual may have done here
tofore, the fact remains that il is nee
essary TO raise $4,000 to Save Our Sea-
port and the sooner the fund j. raised
the sooner hope and cheer will come 20
those whose lot at this time is one OF
despair and sorrow.
Il had hoped to be able to announce
to the people of the Upper Valley that
Brownsville had contributed at least 81
for every man, woman and child in the
city, as shown by the last census, but
it now appears that | must leave with
out having accomplished this. However,
am confident that during my absence
the work will be carried on by the good
people who have already done so much
and that before / complete my tour of
the Valley | will be advised that the
goal has been reached