The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-03-20

=, plcdhllS III upon II. 1t is the ha
blhger Of peace, Of that peace Il
world cannot give or take ava
Perhaps in no section of the countr
has the red hand of war left il
desolating effects more perceptib
u than in this great valley of the Mi
y slssippi. To-day we pass by plant.
ton once owned by that grand ol
1 hero, Gen. Zachary Taylor, and COZ
u sidered at one time to be one Of til
u finest and most beautiful places be
1 tween Nicksbug and New Orlcan,
1t is now oVer-groWn with cotton
wood, with here and there smal
tract occupied by a cabin and witt
, some pretensions to cultivation, bu
"lchabod'' is written in unmistakabl
characters upon the whole surround
ings. Near to the river bank small
church still stands as If a perpetua
reminder that its inhabitants were
God honoring and a God fearing
people. | was pointed out the spor
where once stood the residence-bu1
nothing now remains to mark the
place save clump of rose bushes
seemingly wild and neglected. and
two or three ancient China trees. All
else is eparted-the house and its in-
mates-all save the everything his
tory Of its owner. But that will live
on-though the Mississippi river
should deluge the whole valley from
Cairo to its mouth, and swallow up
every living vcstage of historic re-
nown that the accumulaing centuries
have riveted upon its shores.
Toward evening we drifted in sight
of Natthez. What beautiful view!
1t is truly Il city set upon hill. We
are miles away and yet the tall spire
of the Cathedral and the prominent
buildings stand out in bold relief,
while the long stretch of bluffs covered
with forest trees are a relief to the
eye. Natchez is an ancient city. At
one time the Spaniards held posses
sion of it, and the remains of an old
Spanish fort are still to be seen on the
bluff. Since vision of the railroad
has become living reality, the town
is waking up as if from Grip Van
Wrinkle sleep" and the capitalists are
i'rot'rrr5F5 - ''+s>.'''rrnet their money in
cotton mill has been in existence for
over year, and | learn since it began
operations it has doubled its capacity.
| understand that Mr.. Leonard, the
president of the company, isnow East
to purchase machinery for new
factory. Besides all this they have
large foundry and cotton seed oil mill
in successful operation. How true ii is
that one class of industry begets an
other. 1t is only necessary to set the
ball in motion, to stir the people up to
sense Of their duty, and these stag
nant sources Of industry 50 necessary
to the Wcll-being Of people are de-
veloped, and the loom goes whirring |
the live-long day, kept in motion by
busy hands, and the whistle Of the
engine is as music to the ear and all |
is peace and prosperity. These in
dustrics are what the South needs to .
make it what the beautiful garden Of
Eden once was, a Paradise on Earth. /.
The commercial interest OF the place /.
has improved greatly within the last .
few years, and | am satisfied that you .
cannot find a more solvent or cOuT-
teOus set Of merchants anywhere than
you can find in NatchcZ. At least
think so, and | am Of the opinion that
l have some experience in regard to
these understanding been COM
mcrcial traveller for nearly ten years.
before the war, was the
center of refinement and wealth, and
many beautiful residences are now 10
be seen. Though it has suffered in
common with the South, ii has not
lost amy Of its prestige, and the same
degree of refinement is still to he Oh
served in many portions Of the city.
Yesterday l strolled out on the bluff.
The view is simply magnificent. Be
yond the river is the Parish Of Con
cordiu. and far away in the distance
Lake Concordia, once the bed Of the
river. \ short line of railway con-
meets the lake with Vida ia, and
small steamboat navigatCs il for
TIVE We or fifteen miles. Here the
BOWS from Natchez and Nidalia tackle
-hc speckled trout, and many are the
inc strings that are borne back from
his magnificent lake rs trophies Of
he pi,catorial art. When ! was a
poy | usel to climb upon two brass
,annons, one on either side of the
capitol building at Jackson, and read
he inscription in letters Of gold upon
he two granite pillars that stood like
3oaz and Joachim, one upon the right
md the other upon the left: "This ;
run is a trophy OF American arms
aiken at Alvarado in the war with
Mexico. and presented To the State by
zen. John 4. QuitmaH." These
runs were used 10y the South i'm the
ate war. and some vandal has ctIaccl
he inscription. l was reminded #
his from the fact that here was the ,
lome Of Quitman ard beneath it,
oil he now sleeps quietly. Only
hort distance from the city in a quiet
rave repose the remains Of :. ;. n
'rentiss. Appropos Of the speech
made by Mr.. Wolff, few days
incc in the Legislature ON the
ramp law, reminds me Of a little
Incident narrated Of Mr.. Prenti-- by
lis historian, and which shows the
leep feeling for the unfortunate which
.ver characterized his life. He was
,nce i'm attendance at a session OF the
United States Court, at HillShoro, i'm