Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-05-15
factured adapted to the happiness

S.iih"oO, poetu1li vi rivers, d l6fLIie SOIL,
and an industrious people Theu
what can hinder her from becoming the
England Of America? Success invarl-
bly, awaits the hand of industry; and
as the lniner goes down into mother
earth after the coal, the mineral and
other hidden treasures; and as the
farmer guides his plow, sows and
reaps his grain; and as the manufac-
turer apples the power to his machin-
cry and prepares various implements
for the use of man; and as most all
the industries that unite to elevate
and enrich country are successfully
followed Throughout the southern
states, we may reasonably expect
gradual-harmonio development of
our southland.
Only twenty-five years ago the South
was overrun by invading armies. She
lay bleeding at the feet of monster,
who at that time knew not mercy
who traversed her lovely and fiowery
plains, and left a dark line OF devas-
tation behind. Nor is this all, some
faaSnar most prosperous towns were
c My destroyed by fire. Indeed |
indy trnthfuliy say that the whole
South was a scene of sorrowfuI devas-
tation. A la ge per cent of her ablest
and most patriotic men were either
disabled or killed.
Many loved one fell on the battle
field and never returned to the father,
the mother, the wife, and friends who,
with longing hearts and anxious
faces, constantly, awaited their arrival
home. indeed, there were thousands
OF hearts as noble as ever beat in the
breast of man, that were made to bleed
with sorrows overlooking darkness
that never again enjoyed the soothing
sunshine of happiness.
But ladies and gentlemen, l must
turn from his horrible picture, and
tell you OF better things. All people
and nations have their troubles. No
nation ever sprang into life and had
her being on the threshold OF national
existence, without having them.
I Though speaking in regard to this
immediate secIon-the South, | am
amazed when | compare her progress
now, to her condition at the close of
the civil war. There has been won
derful increase in population-vast
areas OF land have been brought into
cultvatlon-many prosperous towns
and industries now dot her fertile
plains. Verify her progress has simply
been immense, and must inevitably
continue. The South is just now in
the spring time of her existence The
busy wheels OF industry are Just be-
ginning to sing the echoing song of
progress, which reverberates from
our state to another. The bud is vet
to bloom into glory. As the brilliant
star of hope shines forth in it's dag
zling splendor, this bud will gradually
unfold and burst into a lovely and an
immaculate rose of human existence
Notwithstanding the curse of slave
ry, the scourge of war, and the unjust
criticism and inimical feeling that
have been perpetrated on the South.
she rose from the ashes of war, and Is
to day, gloriously making her way in
the front ranks Of civilization with
marvellous strides. May | not say to
you. young ladies and gentlemen,
that those of you who are southern
bred, should endeavor to contribute
something to her progress and main
tain her veracity, as to the truthful
ness OF her history. Let me say that
| would not have you charge me with
| sectionalism. 1t is a very common
idea that If speaker or writer advo-
cate the interest of one section alone.
that it is display OF selfish views.
entertain no i'll will towards any
section, nor do / claim the privilege
to do SO. All people and all localities
have my best wishes. l love this
glorious Union and all her people.
But as the interest Of the South is the
interest of home, you need not wonder
that ! regard and cherish it with
deop and reverential love that only
death itself can erase.
On the noted battle field of Shiloah,
ere the sound of the last cannon had
died away in the distance, and ere the
smoke OF the battle field had been
waited away by the gentle breezes of
Heaven, fell young Confederate sol
| dier mortally wounded. While there.
| away from, and without the gentle
hand of a mother to smooth his fast
fading brow from the rays of an April
SUM-. he lay, silently though swiftly,
breathing away the dark despairing
hour Of DEATH And as he was appa-
rently drawing the last breath and in
an unconscious state, some one came
near enough to hear him utter with
emotion, GLORIOUS, Glorious Southr'
He seems.to have drifted into sweet
and unmolested daleam Of world
famed and victorianASouth for which
he so bravely fon& bdnd sacrificed his
noble life. dqhH6tl relate this to
arouse the animoslty Of that old feud,
but to.say, that as the South must be
committed to the rising generation.
that if she is only entrusted to such
young men as this that her interest
Twill be safely guarded and improved.
nor only this, but she will achieve. not
| with the sword, but with Development,
victories that Epaminondes never
| achieved; she will gain honor that
Alexander the Great never gained;
she will wear crowns Of glory that
Napolean never wore; she win unfurl
her banner on seas OF national life
and progress that ancient Greece Or
| proud Rome never explored. We may
never see the zenith of the South We
will probably not livet to see her bloom
into thrilling 1oveliness, but genera
tions after us will realize and enjoy it