The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-05
office , doors above Simpsons Drug Store.
To My Friends.

NJ
With the close Of last weeks number
July GOTH the FARMER AND MECHANIC
passed into my hands as sole Editor and
Proprietor; the firm of Shotwell & Dowd
having dissolved by mutual consent. Mr..
John ". Dowd, however, does not take
leave of our patrons, but will remain identi-
fed with the paper, as its General Travelling
Agent and correspondent. Any courtesy
shown him will be reciprocated by me.
In taking entire charge Of the business at
this season,-the dullest of the year in
newspaper ofhces,-I am fully conscious of
the responsibility and the burdens assumed,
and might indeed despair of being able to
carry them forward to the plane OF success
but for my reliance upon the aid and CO.
operation of personal and political friends
throughout the State who have so often as
sured me of their kindly wishes and inten-
tions. To such friends, known and un
known, [ now present the claims OF the
FARMER AND MECHANIC, as a North Caro-
lima Family Newspaper; and | shall CRATE
fully appreciate any endeavor on their part
to extend it's circulation and patronage. A
few hours canvas among your neighbors
will doubtless enable you to send a couple or
more of new subscribers, or an advertising
card, and the aggregate of this assistance
will not only relieve me In a business point
Of view, but also permit Of changes and i'm
provements | am exceedingly DESTROYS OF
making, both In the style and quality of the
paper. In this request | have the less hest
tation because it is a justlfable ambition to
occupy a position of honor and usefulness
land the usefulness of an editor is in pro-
portion to the number of his readers, and
because | believe without egotism that to
each subscriber the paper returns during
the year more than the worth of his money.
Moreover. [ am assured by hundreds of let
tiers from subscribers, and from incoming
settlers, as well as by the generous declara-
tons of my brethren of the press, that the
FARMER AND MECHANIC has done, is doing,
and will do, a great deal more good for the
State, and the South, than has yet been com
pensated, or is likely to be compensated.
For nearly four years the paper has bee
an earnest, Jealous and untiring worker for
New NORTH CAROLINA; that Is to say, the
Old North State rejuvenated, restored, and
re modelled in accordance with the progress
siye spirit of the age. 1t has all along been
my belief taat, in diversity of natural capa'
bilities for greatness North Carolina sur
passes all of her sisters of the Union. Many
States excel her in particular features,
But taken as an whole, and considered with
from New York harbor,-her climate, hel
soil, her minerals, her native timbers, he
mighty water powers, her medicinal flora
her rare manufacturing advantages, etc.
etc., what State of them all may challenge
comparison with her? [ have an abiding
faith that another National Census vii
show her as the key stone of Southern ma
terial and political prosperity. In bringing
about this result the Press must take the
lead with the schools and churches closet.
supporting it. The press must lead, be
cause it can best arouse our people to al
appreciation of their God-given advantages
It can best arouse that State pride, count.
pride. town pride, home pride, which ar
each and all so urgently needed to give u
better roads, better bridges, better schoo
houses and churches, better farms and farm
houses, better stock and stock-shelters to
gether with all the other improvement
which make many a ten acre lot IN tn
North worth more than some 1000 acr
farms in the South. Our people in all tina
constitutes manly men, and intelligent Cit
zens, are inferior to none other on tn
globe but there is much need for an avail
ing among us in relation to modern matte,
and methods. We are slow to accept tn
sad truth that civil war, joined with tn
advancement of the times, has rendered vi
wise, unfit and foolish in as many thing
that were wise, suitable and conservative i
our fOre-fathers. 1t may have suited th
old time Southern planter to discourage In
migration, and the erection of noisy, dust
factories on his favorite fishing stream; b.
how absurd for us of the present generatio