The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-08-10


hriving. In Bacon's time, knowledge
lay have been more powerful than money, |
mt few ages of advanced civilization
AVE reversed the proposition, and | am
cady to meet any debating club ON this
ssue. but viii not confne myself to the
olitary example Of the Planter and Me- |
,hanic. While the Planter and Mechanic |
vas by no means a pattern of scientific |
pr practical knowledge upon the various
opiCs of agricultural enquiry and research, |
It certainly had merit enough to entitle it |
to better fate than it has received or met.
The perfectinE of even an agricultural
Journal is not the work OF a moment any
more especially in a State like
ours, where public opinion had in a meas
ure to be trained to appreciate its teach
ings. With preiudices against " book
farming" to be counteracted on all sides,
and then implant ideas and principles at
war with prevailing customs and habits,
required some mint, some COURAGE. and
great amount of patience. Looking at the
position Of things when the Planter and
Mechanic first made its appearance in
January 1857. and June 1859 when it
ceased to be, may say with some pride
a well as confidence, that its mission was
not wholly negative; for then not more
than three agricultural societies existed in
the whole State, and they confined to spe-
cial spheres, while improvement in the
practical operations Of the farm was mar
rowed down to still more contracted lines.
How stand matters now? We have up
wards of thirty organizations, every one Of
which seems actuated by a true spirit of
progress. and the evidences Of improve
ment are visible on almost any farm in
the State especially in the older settled,
and consequently more exhausted por-
tons of our State In addition to these
palpable facts, we have a central organiza-
ton, under the control and patronage Of
the State, which bids fair, with proper en-
enlargement and support, 10 WELD Won
operations of the different societies scat
tered throughout our borders, and con-
centrate here as a focal center, the vari Gus
and many advantages accruing TO each.
The spirit and liberality which many Of
the counties have displayed in putting
these organizations upon a solid footing,
to be no evanescent shadow or spasmodiC
throe Of united purpose. While many
people wonder at the extent, and even
magniticence, of the preparation making
at the State fair grounds here, they are
not a whit above, in taste, style or cost,
| that which several of the counties are
making Marshall 10y her next fair. will
have expended between twelve and fifteen
thousand dollars in purchasing land, con
structing buildings, and getting up hel
| premium list. Desoto, likewise, has gone
into the work with the same ardor, and
may mention old jefferson. Lowndes, NoX
| ubec. Chckasaw. Claiborne. Madison, War
ren, Kinds. Monroe. and several other.
which are all making arrangements not
to perish with the hour or the season, but
to become permanent fixtures and settled
| institutions, sustained by the intelligence
and wealth of the respective counties
Looking at these facts that rise to meet
| our view in every quarter of the State, il
may be said truly the Planter and Ne
! chanic did not live il vain. | am not t
be understood as saying that it was tn,
only instrument at work to produce thes,
great and glorious results. but | do sa,
that it certainly acted laa,}o3 part in tn
busy drama. Some may say. how thel
came it to be so unfortunate as not to b
able to keep up! This question can b,
| answered without circumlocution, and il
strict conformity to many similar prece
dents. Acting as it did upon a few lead
ing minds, the maSse, were moved, with
out knowing whence came the motiv,
power. 1t is not my purpose to discus
principles nor controvert objections in thl
letter, but to state what | believe to b,
facts, and we may he permitted to stat
without rendering ourself obnoxious t.
truth, if we do to good taste, that our pei
sonal efforts combined with the influenc
of the Planter and Mechanic were anon!
the chief causes of the present hatterin
prospects of agricultural advancement il
the State.
Had began the present year with
weekly at a price of - 80 instead Of tn
monthly at 81 per annum, results Nigh
have been different Three thousand sui
scribers, a portion only of which had pre-
paid for the present year, could not SUI
tain a journal costing four thousand do
lars. gave it up only when ineXorabl
necessity forced it upon me. To see m
adopted State rise high above her siste
confederates in all the industrial pursuit
peculiar to Southern climate, soil an
labor, has been with me for several yeaI
almost burning passion, and what littl
talent | may have had, whether wit
tongue or pen, have ever been ready t
consecrate to this purpose, and althoug
my occupation is gone as editor of til
Planter and Mechanic, it will be my plea
ure on all occasions and at all times
throw in my mite of power to swell I'll
volume of increasing knowledge so ey
dent in all parts of the State, and shoul
good luck, or kind friends who kno
something of my labors and nv situatio
feel disposed to open way for my en-
ployment, it would give me great pleasul
to dedicate to them and the cause o. agr
culture the few remaining days or yea
of life, the greater part of which h;
been spent in the study and practice
farming pursuits.
We have nothing new at the Capita
Eating MELONS and hunting cool pla,
to hide from the sultry sun, seems to
the chief business Of our quiet denizen
Political strife has lost its rancour. an
men talk politics with calm and Quie
ness wholly unlike the bitterness of fo
mer years. This. it is to be hoped. is j
dicative of that gradual reunion of Sout
ern sentiment and interest, which the in
pending dangers of the future imperativ
| ly demand.
The results of the Charleston Couvei
ton Is the great puzzle of quid nuncs an
spectators in time. and rs the wish
father to the thought, each mans proph
cy may he the inspiration of his wlshe
View it from what standpoint we ma
its action is ominous of veal or wo to TIA
| great Republic. While there are me
| who believe this Unions destiny und'
the special fiat of Him who sitteth III II
heavens, and utterly beyond the contr
of men, can subscribe To no such iata
istic notion; and while would not der
His kind and providential care OF 1t, an
all things else that appertain to hunla
J glory and happiness, am bound to 'hih