The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1890-12-20
Letter from Mississippi.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate
PoRT GIBSON. December 10. 1890.

Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate.
PoRT GIBSON, December 10, 1890.
DEAR ADVOCATE Some impressions from
''Dixie" may be interesting TO your readers.
Perhaps Mississippi and Louisiana are the
only two Southern States into which North
ern capital and Northern influence have not
yet found their way. And so it is here that
one from the North can best see and study the
unchanged South and get correct knowl-
edge of the characteristics of its people.
Mississippi suffered greatly during the war,
especially this particular section of 1.-THE
southwestern - which bore the brunt of
Grants depredations during his operations
around Vicksburg. The quarter of q century
that has elapsed since these events transpir-
ed has not been sufficient to efface the effects,
but on every side are seen wrecked and scat
tered fortunes. The Union army marched
through this town on its way to the siege of
Vicksburg and devastation can still be traced
in its wake. The country districts show most
the effects of the war, and the old plantations
which once blossomed under the direction of
the Southern planter are, for the most part,
tenanted only by thriftless negroes who allow
them to go to waste in sedge grass ard bushes.
Cotton is the great agricultural crop, but so
depressed are farming interests that it does
not pay half what little more capital and
great deal more energy might make it. The
farming element is found chiefly among the
negroes, and they are so worthless that this
occupation is almost at standstill. Nor is
their presence calculated to invite immigration
or the investment of capital.
With a rich soil and favorable climate Mis-
sissippi is peculiarly adapted to the production
of cotton, and were her planters as energetic
as Carroll county farmers it would be an in
i - I a.,
shattered fortunes of the South. Indeed, this
state seems to be vast and as yet undevel
oped country, which has before it the brightest
possibilities. And if the colored race does
not invite immigration the legal rate of inter
est-ten per cent.-otfers indueement for the
loan of money, which can always find ready
borrower and be secured by first mortgage
The writer has studied and watched closely
the political situation in the South during his I
residence in it, and can say that the right to !
the exercise of the ballot here is as sacred |
and pntrammeled as it is anywhere. Port |
Gibson, the county seat Of Claiborne county,
is one of the largest towns of the sixth con
gressional district of this state, and the elec- !
ton passed eff here even quieter than he has |
seen it in Westminster. | saw negroes vote |
and no one thought of trying to prevent them.
True, very light colored vote was polled, |
but it was due to the stupid indifference of the |
race, and not to intimidation. This opinion
has been confirmed in conversation with Col. |
Hooker, who represents this district in Con- |
gress, and with other prominent men, who |
spoke unreservedly upon the subject. We |
want and need no Force Bill in the South, |
nor are our interests likely to be advanced by |
Reed, Hoar or Lodge legislation.
The Southern people are magaanimous in
defeat, and ! have yet to hear the first word
spoken against the North. Their hearts are
as warm and genial as the sunny skies which
smile upon them.
Wishing the ADVOCATE happy Christmas,
am, yours truly, PHARAOH.