The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-01


her innumerable resources; for she
would not be held in such high es-
TEEN by the world, had she not
contributed such a liberal share of
her wealth and genius to the pro-
gress of civilization and to the en-
tightening OF the human race.
Who can truly estimate the degree
of Americas utility to the world, or
the value of the inventive genius OF
her people. which in the persons OF
Franklin, Morse, Fulton and Ed
son, have greatly augmented the
powers and comforts Of civilized
man? This frame of government;
with it's equality of rights, tolera-
ton of all beliefs, common schools
and other benign institutions are
worthy models, even for the wisest
politician and philanthropist of Eu-
rope. Her industries are at present
competing with those Of the entire
world for supremacy; and well has
the poet said:
"On our industries relying,
We propose the world to beat,
Soon all lands we'll be supplying
Everything to wear and eat;
To Bologna or the next port
Olives we will send away.
Furs to Russia we will export,
Grapes we'll send to Malaga
1t is not my purpose, ladies ano
gentlemen, to make this z point Oh
| information. For well do | know
that | am merely repeating what
thousands have said before; and
that also you are aware of youi
country's greatness. But | did this
that YOU being concious of the degree
of greatness, would more easily re-
cognize the power and utility OF the
instrument to which this state is
principally due.
As all effects are dependant upon
their corresponding causes, let us
examine the cause of this effect
Let us search the root which sus
tains this fourishing tree, and from
which she receives such hearty
| nourishment. 1t surely cannot be al
individual; for though the pages OF
Americas history are bright with
the names of Jefferson. Hamilton
and host of others; yet to credit
any of them with the honor of pro
| noting all our present state woulo
be too partial and unjust; besides
one man is too impotent, no matter
| what his ability or depth of patriot
ism, to affect the condition Of s
whole nation. His ideas, though
shaped by powerful intellect, ano
polished by the keen implements o
his genious, would fade into moth
ingness, unless they received the
united support of a collection of per
sons, who advance his ideas anC
bring their utility before the masses
That these collections of persons
called societies, are effectual in thei
undertaking is evident from the uni
son of their actions, which is essen
tial to their existence. This unison
like a huge engine concentrates al
its power to carry out the projected
plan. 1t is the propelling fore,
which has manifested itself in th'
progress of civilization, and is nov
apparent in the different branches
of science and industry, which ar
the objects of so much pride t.
Americans and great benefit to man
kind.
We find them here for the suppor
of agricultural and manufacturing ns
interests, for the advancement of ar
and science, for the erection of in
stitutions of learning, to which ma,
be added religious, benevolent an,
social organizations. 1mong th
vast number that now exists, eacl
has different aim, each Il diiferen
field to operate; but. the results o
their labor have the same tendency
namely, to develop the country's re
sources and remove all hinderance
which would in any way impede it
progress. could not express my
self more comprehensively on thi
subject than to use the words o
Mr.. w. p. Harris, who in an address
pays societies the following deserv
ing tribute. "Where these agencie
most prevail there is prosperous
and influential people, and prosper
Gus and influential because of them
They bring out the whole strength
of country and its people. Th'
,innumerable organizations in ever,
branch of science, art and industry
and in all the range of benevolence
collect facts and observations ant
digest them in intelligent forms, ane
this knowledge proceeding from
these many sources, makes up tn,
sum of public intelligence and edu
cation, creating an instructed publ,
opinion, which goes up to the legis
/ lature, there to fructify in wise ant
proyident laws
Taking this as substantial author
|ity, (which coming from sucl
source it surely merits, J it must nee
essarily follow that where thes,
agencies Go not prevail there is
deficiency of prosperity and infiu-
ence. It would not be necessary t,
90 far to prove this, for if there b,
any State in the Union blessed will
this deficiency it is Mississippi. T,
what pernicious legislation will pol
iticians, or to what failure of crop
i will farmers attribute this state o
affairs. Nature has bestowed
most extraordinary portion of he
mnnificence upon this Southland
j The salubrity of climate and fertili
ty Of soil are surely great consider
1 ations in the prosperity and happi-
ness of people. And while it i
true that there exist here some ele
lments which bar many roads to
! better condition, it must be admit.
ted that also remedies for these all
ments can be found. Let us SCI
/ what they are, and I beg you to bea
II :.