Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-09-14

Political agitations, provoked not by the
natural excitements Of elections, but kept
alive in the interregnum to CRAFTY our rest
~lessness and turbulent ~propensities, have
proved a prolific source of evil and en-
barrassment to the Southern people. We
have learned and elaborate disquisitions
upon States Rights, the Tariff, the en-
croachments of political power, centrali-
zed government, the disasters of the su-
prenacy of one party over another, etc.
In this polluted and corrupting food of
fashionable literature, we find but few
suggestions, counsels and calculations up
on matters directly related to our growth,
expansion and Development. The alarm
ing fact is that we have sacrificed almost
every interest, ambition and needed en-
terprise to the Moloch of politics Old
men are stirred and excited by the en-
thusiasm of the days of "coon-skins " and
..hard-cider'' orgies. Scores of young men
capable Of high and useful destinies, Sc
duced and betrayed by The phantom splen-
doris of Office and the meritricious allure
ments of fame, enter the reeking arena of
political strife, and wreck talent, charac-
ter, life and all in the greedy and inglori-
Gus scramble. This course, notwithstand-
ing Its fatal snares and the CHASTITY monu-
ments of ruin that mark its hard ard tor
turous windings. is preferred to the ave-
nues of science, professional effort. agri-
cultural industry, literary toll, mechani-
cal art. and commercial enterprise, less at
~tractive to the ardent soul, but far more
certain to an enduring name and a noble
independence. The hustings are the glory
and the halls oflegislation the depositaries
of fruitions for which all long and seek
with unchanging purpose and fervid zeal.
Therefore, we have in superabundance
what we least need, and have the least of
what our necessities absolutely demand.
Too coward!y to face and grapple the evils
and dangers of the situation, or too pre-
JUDGED and narrow-ninded to compromise
the political issues or %relinquish the as
perities of the hour for the general good,
we deprecate, brood and lament over our
pernicious wealth and rich poverty, frit-
tering away the opportunities of deliver
ance, and ignoring the inherent elements
and u of power, usefulness and
progression.
Now, what we need is an entire ~revolu-
ton in this common programme. We
have a great deal less to do with
and let the greedy ofice-scramb-
lers fight their battles unaided. Work is
The word. We need more people, more
more thrift, more workshops,
fourdries, factories, school-houses, more
fewer gentlemen and more %toilers
and greater diversity of pursuits. Money
8 not SO much needed. We have a natur-
II wealth that can be made available and
convertible in adue and vigorous course
IF development. Thousands upon thou
lands of tillable acres are unused. Above
:hese are vast forests of the most valuable
and underlying are rich beds of
,oal, iron, copper, lead, marble, and in
many places, gold. I
A thousand streams, signing and long
ne to roll their currents against the wheel, I
in unemployed power and beauty
through the land. Utilize, to a degree COM {
with our present ability, these Law c
of nature and capital and immi- ]
ration will com and fill up every availa- v
lie and profitable space.
Our timber, minerals and unproductive S
ands brought into use, developed and cul- t
the now complaining, impover- t
she'd, and lethargic South can boast an il
ggregation of capital, rivalling the fabu- S
Jus wonders of Eastern opulence and . a
hrifty, ambitious and progressive people. s