Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-28
LETTER FROM SUFFOLK.


SUFFOLK, Va, July 26.-Cotton and pea
nuts indicate good soil aud a thrifty people.
Nansemond and Southampton counties
abound in all these. Evidences of progress
and improvement are visible on every hand
in the shape ofimproved farms, good schools,
new and handsome residences in town and
country, new mercantile firms and prosper
Gus business. So mote it be and ever con-
tinue. The people of this whole region are
worthy of every blessing because they ap-
preciate the bounty of heaven and share
their prosperity with the poor and the
needy.
Politics is quiet. 1t didn't used to be so.
Some years ago, in this section Of Virginia,
alienaLed brother hated alienated brother
as stranger never hated stranger. 1t is not
so now. Men have their convictions and
hold them, but they have softened down
aud demonstrate in daily life the truth that
mems hearts are better than their tongues
and better than their pens.
Time and again have been asked if / have
ever seen the Hon j. S. Barbour. / was hap
py to say that | was personally acquainted
with the distinguished gentleman. was re.
freshing to hear their estimate Of the old
Roman. One said, in closing a patriotic
eulogy of Mr. Barbour, land yet he can't
speak bit," but it was remarked that his
"voice was heard all over Virginia in the
last election in the biggest speech that ever
was known" "Why he Knew" said another,
more about the men and their intentions in
our district than we knew, who have been
living here all our lives, and yet he never
came among u.s."
But there are many who hold General
Malone i'll like esteem-Who believe there
is no such man living, and who will follow
him anywhere. l am no politician, as you
worry we'll know. | do not talk politics.
They are dreadful had ticks whom they
seize on TO and into a man. hn1 got
talked with my friends Of both sides OF the
question who asked me about the signs OF
the times in and around Washington
When Il democrat approached me told him
what the Alexandria GAZETTE said about
it, and when one of an opposite faith ell
gagged me in conversation | told him what
nv friends at the Alexandria postoffice say
about it, and SO had words OF comfort for
both sides. When they asked me where |
stood told them that was some where in
the neighborhood of Jordan, and that my
politics was Baptist politics. While IN
southampton CouuGy, Gue sCeiC VI oho A''o
Turner massacre in 1881, | interviewed
some of the oldest inhabitants-some whose
relatives were killed, and some who mirac-
ulously escaped, and have reduced to writ
ing, for magazine article, many incidents
of the sad and awful event, that have never
been published.
The mercury here is depressngly ambi-
tious to-day. l leave for the dear old city
this afternoon. THE GAZETTE has kept me
posted day by day. My hear swells in
sympathy, deep and sincere, with my friend
and brother, Mr. Burroughs, in the sad ac-
cident that oCcasioned so much suffering in
his home. The suddenness and sadness of
the event recall to mind significant para
graph in the writings of Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe, on "Life's vicissitudes." !"
at is appalling" says the authoress, to
think how near to the happiest and most
prosperous scene of life stands the saddest
despair All homes are haunted with aw-
tul possibilities, for whose realization no ar
ray of threatning agents is required-no
lightnings, or tempest, or battle; u peaceful
household lamp, Il gust of perfumed evening
air, Il false step in a moment of gaiety, a
draught taken by mistake, a match over
looked or mislaid, a moments oversight in
handling u deadly weapon-and the whole
scene of life is irretrievably changed!'
PAY