The leader., 1901-07-17
NisSisSippi's Bright Future.

The News has been conducted upon
an Independent line, having in view
the duties and responsibilities of pub
lie journalism. Its editor only knows
from ante-bellum!history the past po-
litical course of the State, which is
gathered from party platforms, and
the preserved utterances of party lead
ers.
Governmental theories held by ma
jority of the people of the State prior
to 1861, whether wise or unwise, cul-
minated in the most gigantic war
known to the civilized world.
By the arbitrament of the sword, do
mestic relations were changed and the
people of Mississippi, as well as other
Southern States. had to meet and deal
with the most trying ordeals, among
which, brought face to face, distinct
and different races, equally free, under
the same government.
To solve successfully such social and
political problems, and at the same
time labor and secure government to
be administered by the intelligence of
the country, was a triumph without
precedent in the worlds history, es-
pecially when it is remembered that it
was accomplished, rendering the races
beneficial to each other, instead of
drawbacks to public and private in
terestS.
Other problems of less magnitude
had to be disposed of, and during an
era when the federal government that
had been victorious in the bloody
strife of four years, doubted the good
faith of the Southern people. Admin
istering the State government under
such suspicion. the policy of trusted
political leaders was to oppose the in
PRODUCTION of moneyed power, in any
shape, whether monopolies. railroads.
syndicates or corporations of any and
every kind. The time and condition
of State affairs, in the opinion of those
who moulded public sentiment, iusti-
fled such opposition. The advocacy of
this opposition created a prejudice in
| the public mind, against corporations.
that has been difficult to remove.
Time, however. is a sure corrective,
and 1901 finds the people of our com
monwealth prosperous and contented.
/ Churches, schools and colleges were
never in better condition. Land has
appreciated in value, industrial plants
have been. and are being, established
along the lines of the different rail
roads traversing the State. The smoke
] from factories is seen in almost every
town and city Home money has come
out from its hiding places 'and is be-
! ing invested i'll important enterprises,
i farmers are in good cheer and work
! ing with energy and hope: the banks
are in splendid condition, with an
abundance of money to move the grow
| ing crops: truck farming in the State
! has never been more prosperous aud
/ profitable. The State treasury is full
| by the State years before they are due,
and not one sold to even build a mil
lion dollar State house.
People and railroads are co-operat-
ing for the general welfare. The chan
cellOr of the University of Mississippi
invited MIR. Stuyvesant Fish, of New
| York, president of the system of the
! Illinois Central and Mississippi Valley
railroads. a gentleman of intellectual
grasp and vigor, to deliver the annual
address at this years commencement.
| Business prevented his attendance. but
he wrote a great letter that has been
widely published touching the deyel-
! opment Of the resources of the State.
! That public sentiment is changed to-
wards railroads, is evidenced by the
recent yerdicts of damage suits at the