The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-04-01

have washed deeper; the flats and
swamps have grown higher with the
accretions Of sand and vegetable matter,
and the streams have occasionally chan
ged their channels.
The comparison between this country
now and ten years ago is something
painful to one who has as many reasons
as we have to hold it's people, it's histo-
ry and its future in high appreciation.
But the overriding dispensations Of
Providence, coming in the character of
ruthless warfare, and the still later ru-
nous curse of bad government, pros
trating and deadening the hopes and
the energies Of the people, have inter-
vened to stay the march of progress and
improvement in the hills, and we here
see the effects conspicuously illustrated,
once prosperous population on the
decline.
Lands are cheap, but labor and taxes
are ruinously high. Last year, the
farming interests were awarded a boun-
tiful crop Of cotton, but owing to low
of meat and corn, the farmers profits
are in reality nothing. And this leads
us to say to our hill friends that the
true road to prosperity with them is
not in growing large crops Of cotton. In
this staple, the river planter has the adj
vantage of them, and for them it is not
profitable competition. What they
should strive to do is, to make each
homestead self-sustaining. 1t is a sad
comment upon their frugality to have
to get their supply Of corn and meat
from Trenton. This is why their chill
dren are not sent to school why their
horses are poor their houses leaky and
nearly ready to fall their rooms bare
of furniture, and their wives almost
crazed with anxiety in keeping house.
Fifteen years ago there lived in this
same country class Of farmers who al
ways had meat plenty to sell, and nearly
a two years supply of corn always in
their cribs. They were not always rich
men, in fact, were men generally of only
moderate means; but they We're frugal,
far-seeing farmers and excellent mana
gers. Their houses We're warm their
fences staunch and true; their tables
We'll supplied; their stock vigorous and
strong; their credit ssgood as gold" and
their purses never empty. If this class
of men could thus live and prosper I'M
der the profiigate seductions of slave
labor, how much easier and more need
full to foster the same system now!
The hill country lying west of this is
indeed a favored region. 1t requires
only strong tonic, and conspicuous ex-
amples, in the different settlements, of
systematic domestic management and
economy. The construction of the rail-
road hence to Shreveport would inftlse
new life and vigor into the people and
supply them with what is now greatly |
needed, good degree of contentment
with their several lots. Their anxiety
upon this point can hardly be appreci-
ated, only by one who has heard their
frequent inquiries as to the progress
and prospects Of the road. To these
the one overshadowing aspiration. We
wish we could speak the word, and give
them daily train of cars from the Qua
chita to Red River; but our most per-
sistent efforts to find encouragement are
as yet unrewartled.
The examples of domestic economy
we have referred to, may be furnished
by any citizen, even of small means,
who is not afraid of work and will pur-
sue a purpose, once it is fixed. Such a
man can reform a whole neighborhood,
and few such men an entire parish
We would re-iterate, that the depen-
dence of our hill friends is not upon cot
ton. They must cease to buy, and be-
gin to sell: Cotton is an expensive and |
hallucinating crop. Stick to grain and
improved breeds of cattle, hogs, horses,
&C., and make home independent. Fl
you don't grow rich in "price currents"
you will at least live like lords" and
no man as master. Have
well-tilled but small farms, and plenty
OF woodland. Plant good seed and
variety. Improve the breed of stock;
repair and add to your dwellings and