The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-09-20

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bring prosperity etc. has directed the mind
Of numbers of our people to the question
of OUR NEEDS. Though necessary for the
politician to delude the unthinking masses,
such declarations are empty as vacuum.
The government is good enough, the sys-
tenn of laws is good enough, but govern
ment and laws do not bring prosperity.
Bad government may depress and finally
demoralize the spirits of the people, but
neither it nor good government can be the
source OF wealth and prosperity. 1t is but
one factor in the scheme of prosperity, and
under present circumstances the least factor.
Neither government nor politics causes the
almost absolute annihilation of values in
this country. But whatever may be the
cause, we are most concerned in the
remedy.
This country is wholly agricultural
Anything that promotes its agricultural
interests benefits, and oice rerSa. The
land is as good here as anywhere. A
horse or a mule is the same thing the world
over; SO too agricultural implements. All
these have values when bought at first
hands, but brought here they sell for little
or nothing A horse in Mississippi will
not sell for one-half as much as the same
horse in Kentucky; and SO too with all
other articles of agriculture or commerce.
WbNr ic fbic This S,,aoiac Of ig
most used in agriculture, and it would
seem that they would be more valuable
here than elsewhere as this is the field for
their consumption. But no, such property
goes begging. So too with land 1t is a
recognized fact that he who owns the most
land in Mississippi is the poorest man
and yet land is value the world over. Cap-
talists here (and they are very few consider
the plantations of the country no security
whatever. Why is this? Fine lands, not
valuable! SO too with every article for ag~
riculture. 1t seems paradox but it is
nevertheless true. No capital as money
goes into agriculture in Mississippi. 1t
BoCo III buppAiOo1 pub lIOI hS illohVy)
ON these supplies the merchant charges
80 per cent. to 100 per cent. additional in
the cash price for advancing In other
words, the agricultural products (and these
are the only ones we have) are taxed about
100 per cent in addition to the price that
should be paid
What production, agricultural or other,
wise, can pay 100 per cent on the invest
ment, and that for an an average time of
four months 1t would sap the vitality OF
anything. OF course agriculture cannot
pay this, and in consequence, the farmers
and the laborers in the country have been
getting poorer and poorer until now they
may be said to be in ertremis. Look the
result fully in the face. 1t is not the allure
away from this country; it Is this plain
fact: that he has labored here for fifteen
years and has acquired nothing. He is |
told that he can better his condition there;
and responding to the dictates of reason,
he goes. There is not man in Mississippi, |
white or black, that has not seriously
thought of abandoning this State, and that
to better his condition.
The prosperity of this, and every other
agricultural State, lies in the prosperity of
the laboring classes-those who dig the
ground, These are the foundations of the |
building If these prosper, then the coun-
try prospers, and if they do not prosper
the country wanes. The negro is the only .
element of agricultural production in this
State. The whites of the country are con
sumers. The prosperity of the consumers
depends entirely on the prosperity of the
producer.
"Our need is to build up into prosperity
the producers of the country. When this
is done then land will be worth something,
and so every other article of agriculture.
These are the only people who want land,
and until they have the means to buy, the
and must remain worthless. How is this
to be done? Let the intelligence of the
country do it.
/. By investing capital (money) in agri>
culture at a reasonable interest.
.. By making '1ive and let live" contracts
With the producers.
3. By taking an interest in the affairs of
he negroes and giving them the benefit of
intelligent experience. See that they are
lot imposed upon by sharpers in contracts
md settlements.
1. By having their rights enforced and
heir interests protected. !
1t is idle to look for the tide of immigra-
ion to turn this way until there are signs '
f prosperity. Emigration goes West be- !
ause the West is prosperous. An emigrant v
5 no fool, he is not going to a country S
which is dying The country must put on !
igns of prosperity before emigration will h
,e attracted hither. Tho work of regenoN =
alton must come from within. When we
eg1n to help ourselves then others will .
elp us. v
The negro, as a rule, is good laborer,
nd only needs instruction. Apart from
olitics he will lend ear TO advice and
uickly responds to any interest taken in
is affairs When taught they become a
-ugal aud saving but they must be taught n
$ evidence of this, ride through the set
ement in the north-w, st portion Of our
,wn; these are town laborers' homes; =.
len look at the country negro's home :,
Tbat a CONTRAST Tho oua has moi baan 4