Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-16
From Alabama.

Dis. j. B. RITCHEY.-Dear Broth
er: Pursuant to promise, | now essay
to write you short epistle that you
may know my whereabouts and how |
am getting on in this wonder world.
When left you and the dear friends
at Monteagle | came to Cowan on that
picturesque and unique railroad adown
the mountain, and enjoyed the ride
and the scenery hugely. On reaching
Cowan | found that there was to be a
temperance meeting that night in the
town, to be addressed by Maj. Sykes.
Being detained for some hours attend
ed and heard an able address from this
gentleman upon the great question of
prohibition, which just now is stirring
the great heart of the American people.
AT the conclusion of his splendid effort
the crowd called for me and / had to
give reason for the faith and hope
within me. Afterward Rey. Brother
Hall of the Christian church, whom
you had the pleasure of hearing at
MOnteagle, was called for and respond
ed in a very happy and telling address
of ten minutes length. The large
crowd then dispersed seemingly much
strengthened in the belief of the final
success Of the good cause.
At 1890 p. M, | took the train for
Columbus, Miss, and making close
connection at Union City, reached that
place at $50 the next evening.
Throughout my entire ride in Tennes>
see | heard but one expression in refer.
ence to the crop prospect, and that was
that they were very encouraging. God
had given them the former and the lat
ter rains, and they were gladly looking
forward to well-flled barns. In Mis-
Sissippi they have had too much rain,
and the crops are seriously damaged,
especially cotton, which is the principal
staple and reliance of the people. A
terrible freshet was raging in all the
creeks in east Mississippi, as l went
along, and | saw whole fields of cotton
and corn submerged. AS a matter Of
course all these are seriously damaged,
if not utterly ruined. Many of the
farmers in that section are in despair.
God help them! 1t Is a sad thing to
see the hopes of the husbandman dis.
appointed-1to behold the fruits of his
hard and honest toll swept away in a
night. The prospect is better in Ala,
bama. Both cotton and corn look well,
and the people are hopeful and cheer.
full. | am glad on their account, es-
pecially so since they raised compare.
lively little last year in this part of the
State because of severe and long pro.
tracted drouth.
hear nothing of politics here and
for this reason, because all are one way.
Cleveland and Hendricks will make q
clean sweep Of all the Gulf States. II
is we'll there is no excitement of thi;
sort, for the people can remain at home
and give their time and attention tc
more important matters. The final re-
suit is, peaceable, quiet and law abid
ing population. Why sir, have not
heard Of a solitary crime committed in
Mississippi or Alabama since coming
into these States. The people are
stralning every nerve to build up then
broken fortunes and are severely letting
other things alone. They are, | think
pushing this praiseworthy effort to al
extreme for | perceive that many o
them are grossly material and seem to
care nothing for their spiritual interest
hence the means of spiritual improve.
ment are but poorly patronized, l sin
cerely wish this were otherwise.
My health is, l think, improving
some. My hoarseness and cough d.
not appear to be as excessive as whe1
| left you, Say to Mrs. Ritchey anC
Mrs, Hill that l got those abominablt
hats safely to their destination, anC
that whenever questioned | told what
| had in tie little basket and the bun
die. Yours fraternally,
G. T. STANBACK.
Stewards Station, Ala, Aug. II.
Prom Increase.