, 1869-06-25
HON. JACOB THOMPSON.
HIS RETURN HOME AND HIS SPEECH To rUr
PEOPLE OP oyPopn

HIS RETURN HOME AND HIS SPEECH To rHy
PEOPLE OP OXFORD.
We have before reported to our readers
the arrival at bis home 10 Oxford, Miss q,
Hon. Jacob Thompson. he was received bv
large coDcourse Of people, and welcomed
in their behalf by Col. L. Q. G. Lamar. In
reply, Mr. Thompson made some extended
vemarks, part Of which we find room for. as
follows. He said:
have come back to see you and talk with
you over the past. the present and the pros
peet of the future. In this Interchange of
views, OF hopes and fears, hoped and ex-
pected to derive pleasure. assure you that
though in my absence have wandered far,
seen and read q great deal, have never for
gotten you, your delightful village-clothed
all the tine, however, in my Imagination, in
weeds Of mourning-and this charming eli,
mate. The greenest spots in my past life
are to be found here, and wherever | have
been, the desire has ever been the same
that when my last sun had set and lifes fits
ful fever was o'er, my body might here find
a resting place. went to see the greatest
liVlng nations OF the earth, and the countries
where the mightiest people Of the past lie
buried, and found pleasure and instruction
In taking survey of the whole. Though
many valuable lessons were learned, vet q
deep melancholy followed me and weighted
down my spirits. could never forget was
an American citizen, nor cease to repeat the
line of the poet somewhat paraphrased, Am
erica, with all thy faults, love thee still =
AT no one time was l tempted to change my
nationality. | was born on this soil, and this
country is my birth right and my inheritance
and by no act or deed of mine did l wish to
forfeit it. A man may have all that money
can buy and be surrounded by all the luxur-
les and refnements that taste or appetite can
suggest, yet it he has no country no place
or Government, he is poor indeed. Thus iu
my wanderings l was often tempted to ap-
propriate to myself the words oil uim who
was more than man, the foxes have holes,
the birds of the air have nests, but have
nowhere to lay my head Though l have
endeavored all my life to live with con,
science void Of offence toward God or man,
yet have suffered prosecutions but trust
l have borne them with patience. | have
been reviled, but l have not reyied again,
hoping all things enduring all things.
While our contest lasted, we suffered,
fasted, prayed, she'd nnr blood and spant our
treasure freely. Now that it is over, let us
meet the actualities of life with a brave,
cheerful and manly heart, submitting to the
inevitable, and exerting ourselves with ener-
gy to take care Of ourselves and families
Owing to the institution of slavery which
once obtained among US, our people have
been misunderstood and greatly traduced
abroad. Let US, by industry, skill and econo-
my, reap all the advantages which have been
placed within our grasp by the bouDtiful hand
Of Providence, in our prolific soil and genial |
climate. Let Us, by the practice Of virtue
and sobriety, and all the charities of life,
disarm all criticism. Let US maintain high |
standard of education and morality for our
youth, that they may be fitted for all the
duties and responsibilities which may BY pos,
slbilIty devolve upon them. Above all, let
us struggle with hearty good will to build
up the waste places aud secure prosperity
and plenty to our people. In all ages the
God of battles has made some curious and
inexplicable decisions. But it is not for US
to find out the reasons that control Him. 1t
is ours only to obey the decision, because
from it there is no appeal. In the late war,
the power of arms decided that we should
remain one people, now and forever. The
God of battles decided the case in favor of
Union. Now the true Christian must justify
the ways of God to man, and therefore he
must say that it was wisest aud best that
the case should be SO decided. From this
position duty is devolved upon every man.
Each individual is bound to make this people
a great people, strong, happy, prosperous and
glorious. l think we may all hold the hrm
assurance in our minds that the public con,
science in the governing section of the United
States will some day be awakened that pre-
iudice, and uncharitabeness, and ill>will,
will in the end give way to kindness and
brotherly love; that the heel of the oPpresN
sor will be raised; that our State Govern
ment will be placed under the influence OF
the virtue, intelligence, religion and wealth
of the country, and be placed on an equality
with all other citizens Of the United States.
A great destiny awaits the people of Ameri-
ca we ought to, and we must, contribute
our part in working it out. We are not Gals
led on to sacrifice our independence of char
acter, our honor, or our self'respect, but
simply to follow the plain dictates OF duty,
aud wait and feel that as certain as the
night succeeds the day, so certain Will the
Government still need you Only be true
and faithful to yourselves and to your whole
country, and be prepared to act well your
part when that day arrives.
FACTORY cheese making is becoming
leading agricultural interest in many parts Of
the United States. That the business must
continue to be profitable and will not soon
be oyerdone is shown by few statistics
The cheese product of 1867 was the largest
ever made and amounted to 2l5 5,OOO,OOO |
pounds in America and to l79,OQ9biion
pounds in Great Britain. Theamounted to
of cheese in England bile America cOnsum>
469, 900, ,o09JU, pounds, the two countries
edshGming 75,OOO,00o pounds more than
1-H hi,