Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-06-10
For the Journal.
COLUMBUS COUNTY.
Whftevtlle-F'OItIcaIP rOspects-The Crops
-EducatIOnRI-W1n -Making-.V q
yards,
WHITEvILLE, COLUMBUS Co., N. c.,

WHITEvILLE, COLUMBUS Co., n. c.,
June 4, 1870.
Dear Journal "A stranger on first visit
ing the pleasant little village 81 Whiteville,
in Your neighboring county Of Columbus,
is Immediately impressed with the natural
beauty of its only public square and sur
roundings. Situated upon n healthful and
pheasant elevation, it is almost entirely
shaded from the scorching rays of the sun
by massive oaks, which appear as if they
had seen the light of full century their
large, overspreading branches invite re-
pose, and their hospitable shade constant
~ induces the weary pedestrian to seek its
cooling protection. Gathered aronnd are
the village stores, the principal places of
resort, where the news and political signs
of the day are discussed with that relish
which a removal from scenes of excitement
can alone engender. It is in this square
the Court House is located but its old
led brick walle, the dreaded seat Of JUS
tice, display no frown for the quiet inhab-
itants, aud but at two seasons OF the year
it is naught but part and parcel of the
peaceful scene so delightfully."- manifest
in every view of its surroundings.
| I have here spoken Of the peace and
quiet which these good people are bliss
fully permitted to enjoy and good reason
have thsy 10 dwell in peace. Yes, Colum-
bus is happy for Columbus controls her
own elections Columbus is Conservative
in her politics. Good men and true rule
the destinies of their county. No swarm
of carpet baggers are here TO eat out her
substance no pow vows by day, and
pow-wows by night, to distract the laborer
from his tasks, and fill The avaricious greed
of the parasitical carpet-bagger.
The negroes are contented and peaceful
under the judicious control SO fortunately
exercised, and are pursuing their labors
steadily and quietly, scarcely disturbed by
the poisonous influences Of the few scala
wags which infest the county. Columbus
feels her Conservative strength and laughs
Radicalism in her borders TO scorn. Yet
ty against political opposition is SO great,
internal ambition is fraught with much
mischief. I 90 not say that such is the
case with Columbus ct this timc-a full
Conservative icket will undoubtedly be
elected in August but personal ambition
in these times nauSt give way to public
good. The people Of this county will be
called upon in the election in August next
TO select Representative to the Lower
House of the General Assembly. As your
readers are perhaps aware, d. Z. High,
Esq, who SO faithfully represented Colum
bus in the last Legislature, has announced
his intention not to serve for another term.
This brings about the necessity for chOOs-
ing some other candidate. And | regret
to hear there arc several men (all good and
true, no doubt) who are availing them
selves of their per sonal popularity to press
their respective claims upon the people
All Of these prospective candidates are
popular, and any Of them would make
good run. But if divided against each
other there is prospect Of danger to the
Conservative capSe as b emen called to make
choice of those claims, and tho day OF
election is rapidly approaching. There is
a too evident apathy which conscious Sc
curity is so prone to beget. We beg that
our Conservative friends of Columbus will
reconcile existing opposition in their own
ranks and that they will centre upon one
candidate-the most available man who is
good and true-and let all the others COM
bine in his favor. But one man can go to
the Legislature, and this should be borne
in mind. There is too much at stake in our
attempt this time to rescue the State from
Radical control to risk the loss of one
single Conservative member. And let
Columbus recoliact that her sister, New
Hanover, is poworless and looks to her for
a part of her true representation of feeling
and opinion, and for protection against
the gloating he rides who riot upon the fat
ness of her prosperity. There will be no
difficulty about the election Of county Of
ficers. Capt. V. Y. Richardson, the popu-
lar and efficient Sheriff, who has held the
position for the past six years, will be re-
tanned without opposition. He is as we'll
known as a courteous and affable gentle
man as an efficient public servant.
The crops of the county abound with
promises of plenteous yield and glorious
harvest. Thus far the seasons have been
most favorable and the recent showers
have refreshed the earth to the needed
extent. While the corn crop is by no
means neglected, the people this year have
devoted more attention to the cultivation
of cotton. The largest crop of this staple
heretofore produced by Columbus has not
exceeded $50 bales but this year the
probable crop is between 400 and 600 bales.
But in reality it should be that many thou
sand, for there is as good land IN this
county for the cultivation of cotton as is
to be found anywhere in North Carolina.
| There is one thing OF which Whiteville
and the whole county have abundant cause
to be proud, an that is a most excellent
and fourishing school. 1t is remarkable
to note the progress which education has
made in this county since the war. Great
attention is being bestowed upon The cul-
tivation of the mind. with success which
has been abundaDtly proven by the closing
exercises of the Whiteville Academy which
had the pleasure of attending yesterday.
It was grand holiday here and everybody
visited the beautifully located Academy,
situated upon a pleasant eminence about
mile from the village, to witness the pro-
ficiency of the pupils; and we'll might they
all be pleased. The Principal, MIR. r. II.
Brown, formerly OF Randolph, is learned
and efficient instructor and one whom the
pupils all reverence and love. He has been
ably assisted by two accomplished fe-