The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-12-09
What We Need.

ton anu COIH CIOpS~ CHlo year has
greatly disheartened our people, and
will necessarily have the effect of
keeping away much capital that would
otherwise have sought investment in
our usually fertile fields. Such an
other season is not known to the mem
DRY of the oldest inhabitant, and fol-
lowing upon the desolation incident
to the war, is the more keenly felt.
The protracted drought and the in
cessant rains either parched the earth
or rotted the staple, so that the aggre-
gate yield falls far below most of the
calculations put forth by statisticians
and spectators. From the most
authentic data now available it is
apparent that the crop will not exceed
one million bales. This will not be
sufficient to enable the planters to meet
all their obligations to capitalists who
have advanced them cash, or to mer-
chants who have furnished them sup
plies. The result is that unless credi-
tors can afford to be indulgent real
estate must be sacrificed for merely
nominal sums secured by mortgages
and deeds of trust.
We need then, first, a spirit of for
bearance, and corresponding spirit
of determination on the part of those
who owe, to discharge their indebted
ness to the last farthing. We must
make capital secure, or it will not come
here. If we incur debts, we must pay
them, OF make an honest, faithful eff
fort to do so; and if even the dispo-
sition is manifest, money can be Sc
cured. Money is a sensitive commod-
ity. 1t is exceedingly cautious 1t
shrinks from doubtful investments
but if there is an absolute certainty
that it will bring its per cent, it is
easily obtained. Our people need
money, and must have it; and it be-
hooves our planters especially to con-
suit together as to how the wherewith
shall be obtained. There are millions
of Northern and European capital that
can be secured if properly invited.
No matter how Observation-Disclosures in
the purchase of plantations, or by
advancing it for reasonable interest
if it comes, all will have more or less
the benefit thereof. We suggest that
the planters in each county get togeth-
er and see what inducements they are
willing to hold out in order to secure
money and supplies for the coming
year. Let them put in writing what
they are willing to do, and let them
send their representative to Carondelet
street or Wall street, and there can be
but little doubt of success.
We need, secondly, more labor, be
it black or white Not an acre of
available earth should remain uncultl-
waited. We should, therefore, invite
and encourage immigration from ev-
cry quarter of the civilized globe. No
matter what may be the opinions or
prejudices of those who come, let them
be made to feel that here there is none
to modest or to make them afraid, and
that so far from regarding them with
suspicion or distrust, we will give
them hearty welcome This, we are
gratified to know, is already the dis
position Of our people. A few instan-
ces to the contrary have occurred, and
they have been grossly exaggerated,
and for political effect. But the testi-
money of more then nine tenths of
those who have settled among us since
the surrender is decidedly in our favor.
They have been Hospitality and kindly
treated, and feel entirely secure in their
lives and property This is, as it
should be, and he is no good citizen
who, by word or act, justifies a differ
ent impression.
In the next place, we need greater
in ourselves, and much
greater confidence in each other. To
inspire that should be our chief object
Without it we cannot possibly succeed.
We must build each other up, instead
of pulling each other down. To this
end, we must encourage home manu-
features, instead of sending off for
every article that we use or wear If
we can make furniture here as cheap
and as neat as it can be brought here
from Cincinnati or New York, why not
patronize the home manufacturer ?
This, it has been demonstrated in our
own city, can be done And so with
other departments of mechanics We