The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-18
Kind, but far too Partial.

hlQl OuL lar 700 FdTCldI.
With much hesitation, after several days
consideration. and advice Of friends. we give
place to the following kind. and we'll inten-
toned, but we fear far too partial letter Of
commentator. The writer is one Of the
most eminent Of the citizens Of Eastern
North Carolina and his initials if given in
full would be recognized by reason Of his
Jealous services for his State and section IN
that unhappy period that tried mems
souls, and brought out the true nobility
thereof literally from the mountains to the
sea, from Currltuck unto Cherokee. In a
private note he assures us that every word
of his letter Is from the heart In this
view we admit it here, and shall hope one
day perhaps To merit Its utterances -
BURGAw. PESDER Co., y. c.
Dec. l., 1879.
Edtt0rS Farmer and Nechanic:
GENTLMEN As the annual season is al
hand for expressions Of congratulation and
OF good wishes, please permit me to join in
with the thousands Of our trucst and best
men in rendering you hearty congratulations
at the increasing circulation and great use
fulness of your excellent paper. Iou are
do}ag much goat. As the Jealous guardian
of the peoples rights and the bold and &C
tive representative OF our farmers and in
dustrlal classes, your practical and wide
awake Journal deserves the sustaining pa
tronage and hearty support OF all parties,
sections, classes, and industries, of our noble
old commonwealth. You are admired for
your independence, your devotion to the
best interests Of the State, and for the rare
faculty you seem TO have for getting up your
paper, IN such a way as gives all your read
ers, not alone IN abundance Of useful and
scientific information, and lessons in practi-
cal farming, but such a "birds-eye-view" Of
things transplrlng in the State, as every in
tellgent North CarOlinian desires to know.
But 1t Is not alone to say a word Of de
served encouragement and of truth, as |
have said above, that l address you this
communication for publication. | have a
higher purpose ofState pride, and patriotic
devotion, IN now addressing you. That pur-
pose IS expressed when | say, as | now do,
see published, in proper book form, the
striking and captivating chapters of Ran
dolph A. Shotwells "TIrce Years IN
Battle and Three IN Prison." This history
of the late war grows in interest and in value
as It's able and eloquent author continues his
faithful and mastery delincations. Already
Is the remark daily made IN various portions
Of the State, and by those every way quail
fled to judge, that this is by far the best and
most complete account OF our North Caro-
lima history of that terrible struggle which
has yet appeared. it deserves in public es-
timation, a more durable and readable form
than that furnished by the columns Of a
newspaper. Let it all come out as a book.
1t would take we'll, and have a very extern
siye sale in every village, town, city, and
county, in our own State, and would doubt
less be sold to advantage also In other States.
Old men who do not have an opportunity of
reading these glowing account In your pa
per, would kindle with enthusiasm as they
lingcr over It's attractive pages. Our young
men would be stirred anew with love Of
State, and Of our honored and heroic dead
and be urged to fresh deeds of sacrifice and
heroism as they follow the authors thrilling
of the causes, progress, scenes,
and results, of the late bloody war. Such a
book as these chapters would make is need
ed now in our State. There is a general de-
mand for it. Let it come. ).