The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-07-08
lFrom the Memphis Evening Ledger ]
The Overflow.

: We have lately returned from the dis
trict over which the Mississippi is now
coursing in its nfaddening fury. We
have seen houses standing amid ruined
and blighted shrubbery, and shattered
palings-chimneys undermined and fall
ing, and every wave of the river dashing
through the galleries. We have seen
the family of the planter gathered in this
narrow space, gazing with terror at the
muddy waves as they dash onward sullen-
ly murmuring requiem for past happi-
ness. We have seen the once happy
slaves, all crowded within cabins, musing
over their masters losses, and the stock
standing upon some narrow ridge, sur
rounded by water, with not blade of
grass to feed upon, and eyeing wonder
ingly some dead companion as it floats
by. We have seen fences washing away,
levees demolished, houses caving in, and
ruin and desolation everywhere and as
a steamer comes proudly on, the planter
paddles out in his skiff, and, hailing the
boat, inquiries the "news from above"
and receiving the reply, call the upper
rivers booming" he turns deep sigh
and turns sadly away.
These are every day scenes. Scarcely
a plantation between Memphis and Ma
poleon 1--WE did not go above that point,)
has escaped, especially on the Arkansas
side. All is wide waste of waters, war
ring and lashing into maddened fury, the
Mississippi being from seventy to ninety
miles in width. This is no fancy picture
it is a sad reatity. The counties of
Tunica, Coahoma and Bolivar have es-
capped, as if by a miracle, until lately
There are now, however, many bad
breaks in the two first named counties.
There is one break in the northern limits
of Bolivar. This water runs down into
Hushpuckana and Brogue Phaliah, and
Injuries the back lands very much, extend
ing even to Sunfower river. Another
crevassee has taken place near Prentiss,
which is also causing much damage. If
the water were to cease rising these might
be closed and the crops saved. There is
much land, however, in Bolivar which is
safe yet
But we have not seen the worst of this
overflow. The wter has destroyed the
cotton crop. Will it go down soon enough
to re-plant corn? If so, by economy,
the planter may weather the storm until
he can make a crop. If not, then God
help them The great corn region in
Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois is ruined
there. 1t is too late to re-plant. Then
where is the corn to come from and if
there is no corn, where will they get
meatl And even if there were stores of
the above necessaries, who will furnish
them The New Orleans merchants
cannot do it, for their means are tied up
in advance to planters, who will fail in
making crops.
These things should be looked at in
the face, and met like men. Now, while
the flood is upon US; while wild excite
ment at the unusual occurrence is rife;
and while they have enough corn and
pork for few months, all goes right
But the waters will recede, the sun will
again shine, and 10! what a wreck
Then when reaction comes, and the pro-
prietor gazes sadly at his ruined fields,
and thinks sorrowfully over his blighted
hopes, then will the magnitude of the evil
be apparent.
No human foresight could have avoid
ed it. 1t is decree of Providence, and
to it we must humbly bow our heads
There will be much distress and suffering,
and many, though possessing wealth and
influence cannot meet their liabilities
Many will be ruined. What then is the
course to be pursued ITO bear and
Forbear." If man have been stricken
by the hand of God, if their hopes have
been disappointed, and their prospects de-
stroyed for season, it will not always
be so. Mutual suffering should cement
us together, exhibiting to us how fallaci-
Gus arc oil things human, reflection
prompting US to deeds of mercy and mag
nanimity. If we have debtor let us
spare our power, and give him time to
recuperate; if we have this power to
force payment from one who has been SO
great a sufferer, let us each determine
not to crush this one, but to wait until
more prosperous times enable him to
meet his payments without ruin. Let
this be the determination of every gen
temen and Christian, and let the brand
Of @intamy be upon the brow of every Shy
lock, who would have his "pound of
flesh," and let the finger of scorn be point
ed at him and let him be hated and de-
spised.
If you wish to dream of wedding rings
and fruit cake, waltz with book-muslin