Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-18
THE YAZOO DELTA.
The LeVee Convention TO be Held on the
49th-All but One County in the
Delta Represented.
LeflOre County Declines TO Cooperate
With Her Sister COunties-The
CrOps-LOcal Matters.
special Correspondence of the Appeal ]

Special Correspondence of the Appeal
GREENvILLE, Miss, June 15.-The alb
sorbing topic of conversation is the ap-
preaching Levee Convention TO assemble
here on the 18th instant. The hopes and
fears which center and cluster around that
meeting find expression in diverse ways
hope that something will be done or started
tn at will effectually protect this vast, rich
bottom region from the devast ating effects of
periodical overflow is expressed by the most
sanguine in this wise: at must be done;
we must all combine; the work is too great
for three or ferr Counties; all in the delta are
alike interested, and should bear proportion
ate burdens i+sfliea ia the protection -ef- the
whole" To the class that view the bright
side OF the picture there is no room for
doubt that the convention will gee the whole
matter as they see it, adopt their standpoint
Of observation, and necessarily come to the
same conclusion, and of course inaugurste
measureaand- -pIoyide ways and means to
accomplish the object in view. But here
comes along the other class,
TIE "DoUBTING THoMAsEs,"
of which unfortunately the world is never
destitute-and with that expressive shake Of
what is always esteemed by that class a
very wise head, disposes of the whole
subject by the application of their ever con-
venient cold bath, at won't do; jobs too big;
the thing can't be DONE"
This closes the argument for their side,
an of course, as all back. aclionists do, they
expect a verdict in their favor. Poor fell
lows, business Bourbons, living and dying
in an age OF progress such as the world has
never known before, and learn nothing and
doubt everything; and with their last grasp
comes the echos Of the dark ages-in can't be
done. To them the achievements of science
skilled labor and inventive genius are moth
ing. The triumph of mind over matter is to
them sealed book, which they s,ubbornly
refuse to open lest their dou0ts be dispelled.
This class of minds don't believe the levees
can be built 70 as TO protect the low lands
from the floods, and what has been done, and
what may be done again with means and
the proper appliances, are facts which escape
their obtuse vision n. And against such the
friends OF the levee system must contend.
THE NEWS HERE
ia that all but one of the counties embraced
in the "Yszoo delta" proper will be repre-
sented in the convention, and it is believed
that, notwithstanding this exception and the
quasi opposition of Lefore county 10 the
movement, the main objects for which the
meeting is called will be attained, and that
a combined plan to embrace the whole delta
in one system will be agreed upon. send
you herewith the proceedings of mass
meetings held in Leflore county last week,
to consider the proposition of sending dele
gates to the Levee Convention. 1t may be
that the proceedings have reached you
through the Times of this place, but consid-
ering them a fair subject of editorial COM
ment, and the APPEAL being favorable to
THE OBJECTS OF THE CONVENTION
of the 18th, your correspondent wished 10
make sure that you had seen the report. The
feeling here seems to be that the people OF
Leflore take rather a narrow and selfish view
Of the subject, and in antsgonizing the con-
vention will, to the extent of their infiu-
ence, defeat one of the objects of the conven-
ton. viz: The collection OF facts and data
upon which the whole delta can be heard,
from every part and section, in the report of
the convention, and through the conven-
tion such appeal shall be made to the
general government as will secure
the aid required in improving the naviga-
tion OF the rivers and rebuilding the levees.
LAHORE is desirous of government aid, as
will be seen, but she sipguarly enough de-
clines TO join the other counties in an effort
to help themselves or furnish proof 10 the
government that aid is necessary. The peo-
pie OF the entire delta, without dissent or
division, desire to pray for government help
in this matter. But they do not agree to the
implied assertion of LAHORE, "that if we do
ANYTHING TO HELP OURSELVES
the government won't aid us. 1t will un-
doubtedly be proven in that convention that
while perfect protection of the 4500, 600
acres OF the best lands in the world, em braced
in the Yszoo delta, can be made secure by
the levee system, it is equally certain that
local measures alone are wholly inadequa
TO the work. This shown, and the govern
ment being convinced that this vast domain
must either be abandoned and its products,
which enter so largely into national ex-
change balances, lost TO the country, or saved
to it by timely government aid, that help
which will amount to absolute protection
will not long be withheld. 1t will be the
duty of this convention to furnish this d1to,
and every county should join in it and share
its honors. Providence helps those who
help themselves, and so do all good govern
ments.
CROP PROSPECTS
have improved very much in the last ten
days throughout the bottom, since tie ad-
rf In fo hat
c1tton looked sorry enough, but few hot
days and warm nights have produced won
derful change in the appearance of the plant
and now such of the plantations as have es-
capped the second food look promising for
an average yield of the staple. Corn, too,
has shared the benefit of the change, and
with now and then good shower of rain
will make good crop. Fruit Is abundant,
and peaches are already a drug in the
market, though not of a superior quality.
Local matters are unchanged and without
special interest, save in the fact that our
young city can now boast of a very respect
able public library-a moral force no city,
young or old, should willingly be without
The particulars of how we come by it will
be given IN future letter.
POLITICS ARE RIFE AND POLITICIANS
are abroad interviewing the sovereisns, not
withstanding the Thermometer ia in the
nire,ies. The suggestion in my last that
Judge Jeffords, of Issaquena, stood the best
chance for the Republican nomination for
Congress in this, the Third district, is now
almost reduced to = certainty. His charsc-
.er and eminent fitness for the position make
him favorite among the intelligent of all
parties. And his recognized influence with
a Northern element with which a congress-
man must deal in order to be of
service to the district at this juno
frrra alr
all competitors now in the field, and
naturally suggests him as the proper person
for the delta. Mere sentimental politics are
at a discount just now down this way, aud
what is wanted is preventative who will
not needlessly antagonizs u whole section
whose aid and assistance is required 10 Sc
cure the best interests of the district simply
10 crafty political whim, or cherish an
obsolete political dogma.
By the way, our people who are 30
deeply interested in river and levee
improvements, are anxious about filling
the vacancy in the River Com
mission occasioned by the resignation of
Captain Etds, with a pr tactical levee man,
and cur minds center on Governor Alcorn
as the man. His high character and eminent
practical ability, coupled with his thirty-fye
years experience in levee matters, point 10
him as pre- eminently the man for the place.
The APPEAL, being personally friendly to
the governor. might do the country a great
service by helping the boom that would
result in his appointment. The views of
President Arthur and Governor Alcorn are
known to Be identical on the levee question,
and the proprieiy of such an appointment
could not be doubted. g
The Left0re County Resolutions.
The following are the resolutions adopted
by the meeting referred to above by our cor
respodent. The meeting was held at Green
vile, on the 10 instant, ard was presided
over by DR.. j. HI. Lucas, with A. H. George
as secretary.