The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-03-23


horizon Deep gloom, like dismal
pail overshadows the entire South, and
lethargy, inactivity and distrust have
taken hold upon the very vitals of the
country. The poor are struggling for
mere existence, and the rich are ex-
hausting every power and argument to
hold the death-like grip they already
hold upon the people.
1t becomes us as sensible, intelligent
citizens, in whose breast the love of
country, home and fireside, is paramount
to every other passion, to investigate the
cause, to search out the remedy and to
apply that remedy when found.
A few years ago, we went forth with
bold and defiant step into every depart
ment of extravaganza and speculation.
We felt that, with all good conscience,
we could buy the earth and pay pre-
MUM. Then every department of agr-
culture responded feely to the industri-
GUS toll of the husbandman, and remu-
nerative prices rewarded our energy.
a spirit of boom and progression, be-
You'd our ability, possessed our souls,
and madly and recklessly we bought
and sold and bargained, until we were
confronted by adverse condition of affairs
and stern necessity compelled halt.
Individual money was lavished upon
railroads, syndicates and investment
companies, capital was diverted from
it legitimate sphere, and enter
prise always buoyant in buoyant times,
went beside itself in wild adventure.
Added to all this, we found that we had
glutted the world with Southern pro-
ducts. First, an overproduction of mel
| onsl wrought ruin upon the melon
grower, and then the cotton producer
| found himself in the midst of an 81
million crop, without market and with
out support. Besides this, a war be-
tween capital and labor, always ruinous
in its tendency and destructive in it's
cruelty since the fall of 1890. AS to
what produced this war, it is doubtless
that intelligent opinion is divided. But
in my judgment nothing is surer than
that the threats made by our labor Or
CARNATIONS, and the demand that prices
above what was just and right should
be paid, or our staple production should
be held from the market, had much to
| do with the disastrous condition of affairs
that now confronts us. But whatever
may be the cause the fact still remains
that the cloud, dalk and potentious,
overhangs the earth, and our first and
| foremost duty is to lift this cloud, that
our people may once more get back in
the sunlight of happiness and prosperity.
And he who pilots us to the haven of
peace and security, will richly deserve
our thanks and receive our plaudits.
Then, as the cause of our present
evils is found within ourselves and
modes of living, let us look to ourselves
for the remedy. First and foremost we
must retrench in our expenditures. We
must no longer hire and pay men for
labor that we should perform ourselves.
The old song Cup Roanoke and Down
Tar River, Two Overseers and One Poor
Niger" tells tale that we should stop
and ponder. Rigid economy and self
denial must stand at the Threshold and
| guard our interests.
Then strict integrity must characterize
our lives. When we promise we must
mean to perform. Our words should be
our bonds, and society should spurn the
man who, having made pledge, seeks
shelter to cover him from the perform
ance of his obligation.
Added to these, industry, perseverance,
and sobriety must be practiced day in
| and day out. These are the elements of
success, and encouraged by economy and
integrity, have brought the boy from the
humblest walks of life and made him a
fit companion for senators and kings
These will lead us still, if we follow their
footprints, into richer fields and greener
pastures. They will bring us out of
darkness into light. Then, as no cloud
was ever lifted by repining, as nothing
great or good can be accomplished by
sloth and inactivity, let us lay aside our
we claim to be, arise with undaunted
courage 'to do or de-
Let us make our farms self-sustaining
Our lands are adapted to the greatest