Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-02-25
FROM DARKNESS TO LuoHr.

The hour for Mississlppi's advance.
ment Is ct hand. Many communities
in the state are already awake to the
opportunities Of the hour, and work.
ing to the coveted end. Others will
follow In the wake. Some immedi-
ately; more . little later on; all in due
time. The best advantages to be
gained will come to those who are up
and to work earliest.
The South has lain practically quiet
for forty years. It's people have had
ample easOn for their inactivity. An
unnatural conflict left this vast Sec
tion In ruin and disorder. Rich men
were left poor ali were left stagger-
ing from the blight. Their homes
had been burned, their personal ef-
fects destroyed or taken. They
looked about them, and desOlatlOn
and chaos only was visible In place Of
the comfortable homes, the abundant
equipments OF farm, shop and store
house. A wave from the sea could
not have left more evidences Of total
destruction. The survivor was With
out means, without implements, with
out resources, without stock, with
out credit, without help, without food.
Is 1t any wonder that he was dlsCour-
aged and without hope? He could
not peer into the uncertainties Of the
future and behold : single ray of
light. II his neighbor had been
spared, be could have turned to him
and asked for the favor Of temporary
assistance, for he was . man Of honor,
and his promise to return that which
he borrowed would be accepted. But
I'll his neighbOrs we're left In the same
sad plight that he presented. Hi
family, which had probably been II
exile for months, we're gathered up
and rude shelter provided for them
Small, indeed, were the prospects fol
anything better soon.
But time Is 3 great leveler. Some.
how life was retained, and the heroiI
patriot who had lost ell his property
In the struggle in defense Of bis home
went out into the field. The land wa
about all that had been left. But thi
was rich. When another winter cam
the disheartened victim had &C
cumulsted enough to live through II
Year succeeded year, in tL.s labor 0
struggle to regain q footing. Til
children grew up. The task OF re
trieving lost fortunes was renewed
Slowly, but surely the desolate spot
blended into flower beds and garden
green. Little by little the old ruin
were transformed, and Father Tim
kissed away the tears, and Joy an
gladness mounted tire throne.
While there are yet occasional cyl
dences of the ruin visible, general
the transformation has been practi
cally complete. So surely has bee
the recovery that the world marvel
ct the genius displayed. Year b
year this admiration Of 3 people an
Of 3 section capable Of such > reOov
cry has increased, until today the1
are none who do not have perfe'
confidence in the future Of this Grel
South.
During the past few years Peep.
throughout the entire world hay
coveted 3 home In this section. Cap
taI is pouring in from the contests
centsrs, new enterprises are beir
promoted and established, those 3
ready in operation in other section
are being moved Southwark, Al
everywhere the trend l. unquestionI
bly, toward 3 Greater South, 3 Sou
greater IN industrial and commerce
importance than it has ever bee
Wise is that community that reaI
the signs Of the time, and resolves
become the place.