Statement to the South Pledging Equal Treatment to All Sections of the Country

[Released November 14, 1928. Dated November 7, 1928]

Dear Mr. Edmonds:

I am profoundly appreciative of the extremely heavy vote throughout the South for Mr. Curtis and myself. I accept this vote, not as a personal tribute but as an expression of a developing sentiment throughout the South in behalf of the things for which the Republican Party has stood in this campaign; and while desiring to express to those who voted for Mr. Curtis and myself my profound appreciation of the honor thus done us, I want to make very emphatic that I give full credit to those who voted for my opponent for the sincerity and honesty of their convictions.

I am not at all unmindful of the conditions which for years brought about the political solidarity of the South. I firmly believe, however, that the time has come when in all sections men and women should vote from their convictions as to conditions at the present time and not based on things of former generations.

The safety of this country and its continued progress toward this exalted position for which Providence seems to have destined it, can in my opinion be best served by a diversity of thought and action which will cause all of the voters of this country to recognize their individual responsibility to take part in every political campaign. In every community and every State, as well as in national elections, all the people should recognize this duty to express their views on local. State and national affairs through the ballot box; and in such contests all bitterness of spirit should be wiped out. However strong may be convictions or issues before the public, these political contests should be waged in a spirit of friendly, active rivalry, but not in a spirit of bitter denunciation of any one party against the other.

I trust that it is needless for me to say to the people of the South that I am fully appreciative of the great potentialities of that section. With one-third of the nation's land area, with about three-fifths of its sea frontage, with vast resources in soil, climate and minerals, no limit can be set to the continued progress and ever-increasing prosperity of the whole South.

There are great water power's awaiting development and, as I have said before, every drop of water that unutilized runs its course idly to the sea is an economic loss.

There are great potentialities in the extension of the intercoastal canal system, which eventually should extend all the way from Boston to the end of Texas. And to the furtherance of the development of these waterways and the possibilities for hydroelectric power not yet utilized for the fullest upbuilding of the Mississippi River Valley country by adequate flood protection, I can promise to the South my heartiest co-operation.

I can assure the people of the South, as well as those of the entire country, that in my Administration I shall know no difference between North, South, East and West, but shall seek to deal with absolute fairness and justice to every section of our common country.

There are great economic issues and vast economic potentialities in every part of this country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Lakes to the Gulf. It is well said that "the development of the South means the enrichment of the nation," and this is true not only in the material sense, but also in the broader sense of the development of the spirit of Americanism which will permeate the lives of the people of the entire country, rounding out to a greater extent than we have ever known before a genuine Americanism instead of a certain degree of sectionalism.

It is right that every State and every section should seek its utmost advancement, but there should be no spirit of ill-will or rivalry, for there is enough for all and possibilities for growth and prosperity in every part of this land greater far than the world has ever yet seen.

Again would I express to the people of the South who have in such vast numbers by their votes shown their confidence in Mr. Curtis and myself, my profound appreciation. If it is within my power to prevent it, they shall never feel that they made a mistake in this particular.

Faithfully yours,

HERBERT HOOVER

[Mr. Richard H. Edmonds, Editor, Manufacturers' Record, Baltimore, Md.]