The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-12
To My Friends.

having dissolved by mutual consent. MIR.
John w. Dowd, however, does not take
leave of our patrons. but will remain identi-
fed with the paper, as It's 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 ofices,-I am fully conscious of
the r 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-
lions. To such friends, known and I'm
known, l now present the claims of the
FARMER AND MECHANIC, as a North Caro-
lima Family Newspaper; and l shall CRATE
fully appreciate any endeavor on their part
to extend its 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 l 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 justi6able 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, J and
because [ believe without cgotism 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 we'll as by the generous declara-
lions of my brethren of the press, that the
FARMER N 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 been
an earnest, jealous and untiring worker for
NEW NORTH CAROLINA; that is to say, the
Old North State rejuvenated, restored, and
re-modeled In accordance with the progress
sive spirit ofthe age. 1t has all along been
my belief thai, 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
respect to geographical situation 30 hours
from New York harbor, her climate, her
soil, her minerals, her native timbers, her
mighty water powers, her medic nal fora,
her rare manufacturing advantages, etc.,
ETC., what State of them all may challenge
comparison with her? [ have an abiding
faith that another n tional Census will
shog 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 closely
supporting it. The press mus lead, be-
cause it can best arouse our people to an
appreciation of their God-given advantages.
1t can best arouse that State pride, county
pride. town pride, home pride, which are
each and al. so Urgently needed to give us
better roads, better bridges, better school
houses ard churches, better farms and farm
houses, better stock and stock-shelters to-
gether with all the other improvements
which make many a ten acre To- In the
North worth more than some 1000 acre
farms in the South. Our people in all that
constitutes manly men, and intelligent citi-
Zens, are inferior to none other on the
glOoe; but there Is much need for an awak-
ing among us in relation to modern matters
and methods. We are slow to accept the
sad truth that civil war, joined with the
advancement of the times, has rendered un-
wise, unit and foolish In as many things
that were wise, suitable and conservative In
our fore-fathers. 1t may have suited the
old time Southern planter to discourage i'm
migration, and the erection of noisy, dusty
factories on hisfavorite fishing stream but
how absurd for us of the present generation
to discourage either. Nay, not to do our
utmost to encourage both
The FARMER AND MECHANIC will con-
tinue, as heretofore, to foster all things that
promise well for our State and Section.
Notwithstanding its name, the paper is not
designed specially fer farmers and mechan-
les; but is meant as a Family Visitor and
Fireside friend for all classes of readers.
Hundreds ofmerchants, physicians, lawyers,
school teachers, and clergymen, are already
on is lists, and [ trust to double the num-
Der during the present year.
In politics, the paper will be Southern
Progressive ever true to the South as the
needle to the Pole, but aspiring and aiming
towards that epoch of political peace, and
National concord whose coming is so essen
tlal to our moral, material, and educs tional
progress, In the existing compaign it will
support the National and State Democratic
Nominees, because of the two tickets now
before the country, they are the most in
sympathy with the intelligent majority of
Tho Snrpkha~p 00~l@ |