The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-08-31
SARGE PLUNKETT
Gives Retrospect of the Years That Have
Gone.

Gives a Retrospect of tho Years That Have
Gone.
atlanta Consultation.
Everything will regulate itself in the
near future, is my judgment on the situa'
ton.
The towns were builded up out of all
proportion to the advancement of agri-
cultural interests around them, and
collapse had to come or will have to come
where it has not already taken place. A
reaction is just now the natural thing,
and it will prove to be the healthy thing
it is needed.
The flow of population from the coun-
try to the towns was the outcome of de-
spondency on the part of the older gen.
Grafton. Times were not "what they
uster be" to the old southerners, and
everything seemed mighty gloomy to
them, but happier thoughts have taken
nossessiou of the rural districts, and
spirit of independence has crowded out
despair end gloom and old Georgia will
soon be herself again.
There is much disposition among some
few just at this time to array town
against country and vice versa. 1t won't
be done; it can't be done. The whole
of Georgia is mighty nigh countrymen,
and there are precious few people who
are not attached by kindred ties that
bind stronger than iron the hearts of
country and town to one another. We
guy each other as "hayseeds" and "town
tacks," but it is only talk; We do not
mean it, and for all there is love natu-
raj and lasting.
The little town cousins like to visit the
country cousins, and they are welcomed
with warm hearts and natures true. The
little cousins from the country like to be
on visit to the town, and they are well
come and everything is done that love
can do to to make their visits pleasant.
The town boys go into the country to
court the girls, and they marry them,
and the country boys marry the town
.pirls. and 80 we are all mixed up, and
around that there Gun never be clash
nor bitterness that is lasting.
True, that for long time, ever siuce
the war, you may say, there has been too
much fleeing from the ills of country
life. I say "ills," because we all know
that the farmers had hard struggle after
the war. The older set did not know
how to accommodate themselves to the
changed conditions. They were poor,
very poor, but we're too proud to &C.
knowledge it, and 80 kept in strain
themselves and deceived the young
around them into the belief that it was
all owing to the hardships of agricultural
pursuits. "Hard times" was the cry.
Fathers and mothers talked to their chill,
dren Of the hard life on a farm, and the
children grew up with this idea ever
buzzing in their ears. 1t was chronic
this grumbly-and it was not strange for
the young folks to fee from the old
homes to ills they knew not of.
In proportion as the farms we're de-
serted the towns grew. But it vas an
unhealthy growth-neglected farms
could not give the towns support, and a
reaction must come. 1t came and it is
upon US right now. A return to the
country is the natural thing; it is the
only thing that can be done, and [ pre-
dict that the next year will see such q
returning of the people to rural pursuits
as was never seen before.
The negro has already the key to the
situation that il bound to force the white
mechanic and the laborer from the towns.
The cry of "hari times" "hard times" is
through all the streets of the towns, and
the whites are beginning to realize that
they must succumb to the inevitable and
return to the spreading shades and cool
ing streams of a country life.
It's ''lay-by" time with the farmers
now and show me the thousands of your
over-worked town men who know what
'lsy by time" means, and I will point to
them as longing in their hearts for the
peaceful rest it brings. Yes, the farmers
are laying by now, with an abundant
| spirit of thankfulness, tempered with q
| tranquil peace only found in rural life
| The politicians may foam at the mouth
and rant through the land-as they are
| doing-but the farmers are reveling IN
peace and plenty, and don't care if these
fellows rant themselves to death all the
same, though without any great ado
| when election day comes they will walk
proudly up to the polls as Georgians and
put in their ballots without fear or favor
But there will be not sentiment Of
"country against town" in ballot tna'
falls, but as true Americans they will as
sert their strength as they have right tc
| do, and if at first they don't succeed
they'll try, try again. and at last, and al
the time, tae hand of friendship ano
brotherly love is held out to the towr
people with welcome to share and share
| alike. And I know the same kindly
feelings exist in the hearts of town folks
toward these "hayseeds," 80 let US all be
cheerful and thankful as the clouds rol
away and divide the bright rays OF sun
shine with all of mankind-even the pol
iticians.
While the farmers have been blessed
with good crops aud have already
schooled themselves to o practice O
economy, that is very essential to sue
cess, I am grieved to say that the poo
| .s1a of fbe founa arc NOT PROSPEROUS