The Tupelo journal., 1903-08-07
THE OUTLOOK IN NORTH
MISSISSIPPI.

MkSSkNSkk i
From New Orleans Christian Advocate.
OF July End.
Ten days in North Mississippi,
every one Of which was spent in
mingling with the preachers and
people, in the social circle and in
Church gatherings, afforded us
opportunities to see much and hear
much, and to form some idea Of
present conditions and prospects.
Just now the people are in the
midst of a heated political cam
paign. A governor is to be elect
ed also a United States senator.
Attention is mostly conferred on
the governorship. Three candi-
dates are in the field, and each has
his following. and taking the coun-
try at large, it would be hard to
determine who is in the lead. In
some sections one man is the
favorite in others, another man
has the greatest number of friends.
Local surroundings, if we mis-
take not, will do much to fix the
views of the voters. This is GER
tain to be the case IN large town.
ships where religious sentiments
do not control. In some places
this is the case. How general,
we do not know. In reply to a
rumor that certain "ffth Sunday
meetings" we're to be run in the
interests of a certain candidate, at
which meeting it was hoped to
make five hundred votes for their
man, the Blue Mountain Stand
ard does not hesitate to say that
"the preachers are serving the
Master in working for Mr."
The Standard further says to the
brother who published this rumor:
"If you can't carry religion into
the support of your candidate for
governor, you ought not to OBJ
ject if we can serve the Lord in
supporting our candidate" This
is the most outspoken statement
we have eyer seen in favor of a
candidate, not because of his re-
ligious character, but because of
his religious utilization. 1t is an
effort to turn the votes of the peo-
pie to a candidate because he be-
longs to a certain church. In this
canvass no man, in the matter of
religious character, has an ad-
vantage over the other. All three
are Christian gentlemen, men,
bers of the church, and earnest
workers in the temperance cause
There is some anxiety among the
people, because the issue is in
doubt. The opinion largely pre-
walls that there will be no cleo
ton at the August primary-that
a second ballot will be necessary,
the law requiring a majority to
secure an election.
In worldly things the country,
generally, is prosperous. The
crops are backward, but they are
clean, well-worked, and promis-
ing. Good rains have fallen
copious in some localities, not so
much in others, but all have had
enough. There is much enter
|,prise. Towns, which a few years
ago were but little removed from
village size and life, are assuming
city airs, and some day hope to be
cities in size. This is notably true
of Tupelo, which, with it's fish,
pond under municipal ownership
and management, and Private
John Aliens fish hatchery and
nursery, together with it's COM
press, ice factory, electric light
plant, ~artesian wells, cotton facto-
ry, hosiery mill, water works and
other things, Brother Bowen
thinks, places the city at the top.
lie is beginning to feel sorry for
himself, for, he says, when his
four yeare have expired eighteen
months from date) he twill have
to start down hill" There is
nothing better than Tupelo."
Some sections Of the country are
developing rapidly, others are
backward ; all are healthy.
The outlook in religious matters
is encouraging. We heard no com
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