Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-04-03
Sorrow In the South.

Nothing could be more pathetic than
the scenes now being enacted in the
south where the waters OF the Missis-
sippi are overlooking their banks and
inundating vast stretches of fertile land.
1t would seem that the mad waters are
determined that the year 1897 shall
break the record for destruction of pro-
perty and the blighting OF hopes. Since
the last great flood thousands have set
tied upon the lands in the valley;
numerous homes have been established
and farms placed under a high cult
walton. The present floods have swept
away homes, farm implements and
hopes. Men who but yesterday were
happy and prosperous are to-day in
the throes of despair. Wives who were
enjoying the comforts OF comfortable
homes have seen everything which re-
presented years Of patient toll and an
ticipatioD wiped out as by a curse. The
cruel waters, cold and irresistible, have
carried sorrow to thousands OF hearts
and devasted valleys which were smil-
ing under the touch of husbandry. The
spectacle is one that harrows up the
blood and commands the sympathy Of
every human being who reads the re-
ports. The people OF the south have
demonstrated their ability TO cope with
misfortune; they have passed through
the crucial test of blighting war; the
older ones among them have seen their
homes destroyed and their possessions
confscated by the ruthless hand Of war
and they have faced the situation brave
ly, calmly and with fortitude unsur-
passed in the history Of the world. But
the floods are more cruel than war. The
war left them sentiment upon which
to build-the flood leaves nothing save
the bare, disfgured earth. After the
war they could go back to their plows
bouyed by thoughts that they had made
good fights and that generations to come
would praise them for their bravery
and pluck. After the food they see
nothing but desolation and hear no rail-
lying cry save that of the struggling
bread winners whose voices are the dull,
sad sounds Of helpless poverty. The
battle with the waters represents no
flag, no inspiring shibboleth, no oppor-
tunity to create song about which the
hopes of the people may cling. There
aar hs. hot so
an irresistible foe against which opposi-
tion is vain and from which comes no
thrilling fire Of conflict. They cannot
even take with them the spur Of resent
ment, for there is no one to blame and
no power to denounce save that which
the God-fearing people of the south
have been taught to contemplate with
reverence and awe. They hear the sui
len roar Of the advancing Hood; they
see the approach OF an enemy with
whom they can neither speak nor treat;
with whom they can neither hail nor
salute-a silent, proud, majestic foe
who laughs at weapons and scorns the
flag of truce. From such a conflict
nothing can be borne but sorrow and
pain, Disappointment and dispair.
The people OF the inundated valley
win have the sympathy Of their fellow
citizens Of the nation at large aud IL Ii
to be hoped that tn their efforts to re-
build theie lost fortunes they will re-
ceive substantial encouragement and
support. Above all, the government
should talks such steps as will, in some
degree at least give guarantee Of pro
lection in the future. Butte Miner.