The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-12-11
NOTES FROM EAST MISSES-
SEPPH

COLUMBUS, Nov. 80, 1873.
EDS. CLARION: The other dav successful
merchant of Columbus called the writer's
attention in disquieted tone to the spectacle
OF a number of Lowndes and West Alabama
wagons returning to the country empty.
"Look at that, will you? They have sold
their cotton and are going home without
buying anything" Rough as this is on the
tradesmen for the time being, it is no doubt
better for all in the long run, and forms
one of the best
"sIGNs OF THE TIMES"
1 have observed in manr a day. And what
is the cause? Simply the fact that the
owners OF these wagons have made their
cotton crop a surplus one the present year,
the m eat and bread they made along with
it enabling them to do without the usual
supply of town groceries. They raised their
hogs. their sorghum, their wheat their corn,
and their dairy produce; hence, the proceeds
OF the cotton is pocket money, to lay by, or
to spend as they choose ''and no man to make
them afraid There is little doubt, if all
hear be true. that the average West Ala bama
farmer, besides helping to create trade for
the border counties OF East Mississippi, is
as Independent man the continent
boasts, and all because of his self-sustaining
policy, which raises the most he wants to eat
and wear, and has the staple crop the extra
one. The great misfortune with the major
ity of Mississippi farmers lies in reversion
of this course--in making cotton the pha
and Omega of their labor and sweat. This
forces them into worse than feudal vas
ola 70 OF merchant VII m
dictate generally their operations, and it is
III this line: You must bring me so many
bales of cotton next year TO pay for these
provisions" They are also inundated by
the logic of that plausible diXit, shat cotton
is the only crop for which there is a ready
sale. l never could see the strength of
this assertion. Everybody knows that the
poor farmer no sooner draws his money from
the bank upon his merchants check than he
has to pay it out at the next door for the
very supplies which made his cotton, and
which he might have raised, at least in
part, upon his own lands. Ii is but verify
ing the old saying, robbing Peter to pay
Paul" or, rather, the realization of Sysip-
hus's stone rolling-up the hill and down
again, year after year.
like ''5he line upon line, and precept upon
precept'' of the good book, they need to be
burned into the brain of a large proportion
of our planting friends. By the way,
talked yesterday with a
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANT,
just returned from a seven months pros
pecting trip in quest of health, and a busi-
ness location where he could make little
more than his board and clothes for the wear
of mind and physical decline. He studied
the climate, the commercial and agricultural
advantages, and the people of the Golden
State, more with an eye of remaining than
other y Use; yet, after this prolonged soJourn
in that glorified land, much of the time
working at his regular business, he Is OF the
opinion that Mississippi is the best average
country he has yet seen, and has come back
to stay. The old cry of & hard times and
worse a coming rings along the dusty
plains and through the bleak mountains OF
the tar West, Just as it does here, and my
friend returns home happier than ever.
Unusual weight can be placed upon his
estimat of things, because he is a sensible,
..plain, blunt man. that says what he knows
TO D6 50, anu GnCH SSOpSs AhO "COhN SNAN''
Is for the benefit of those Mississippians
who have a chronic desire to follow Horace
Greeley's advice. As sure as you and live,
dear CLARION,
=. There's more in the man than there is in
the land"
and thousands of emigrants in their new
homes would testify so if called upon for an
honest opinion. Did you ever hear OF one
who did not write this advice; eff you are
doing even half way well in Mississippi,
stGv there, for Gods sake"
DOMESTIC MELANGE.
Cotton crop cut off about one third; corn
crop rot much better; wheat $3.50, yet
trade is reviving, and our people entertain
a lively hope of better days, for every oody
is economizinQ, and many of us paying cash
because we can't get credit. Speaking OF
credit, a leading merchant, to my question,
informed me that he vas refusing now about
two men out of every ten-a pretty fair
showing, don't you think? Four or i've
new residences going up in this usually
Van Winkleish town, and several weddings
since my last, and two papers to be started.
HASH.
We Hope SO.
49,. kIa TnUufrar Pan