Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-05-03
ETRO8PECTIVE

ate dead, we publish THIS most Deauti
ful sketch from the howery pen o
Miss Leila B. Dickson. Of Tupelo
A retrospectiop Of come forty-fv
years, and we see the South one Of thu
proudest and most aristocratic nationI
on earth. The hospitable, chivalrou.
Southern gentleman and the beautiful
virtuOus daughters of the South had M
peers, and the counterpart Of many az
elegant mansion throughout the Soutl
might be Raen filed with every luxury
and comfort; the abode Of hospitality
and leisure. company coming and 60.
ing, beautifultables spread with every
d~elioacy, choice cookery, old wines.
massive plates and q routine OF we'll
dressed, well-trained servants forming
an obsequious array, standing behind
the chairs Of guests at the dinner hour.
or waiting on them IN their apart
ments, all c~ombinedto give the impress
sion Of q joyous, abundant life. AL
was cultivation, elegance and refine
ment. The flower gardens, ~shrubbery
and ample lawns were laid out with
European taste. The stables were
filled with blooded horses, which were
at the disposal Of guests, and kennels
of the finest settlers and packs of grey
hounds were kept not only for the
amusement Of the proprietor, but that
Of his friends, both ladies and gentle
men, who would frequently gather at
the mansion and spend days under the
hospitable roof. The ladies superbly
mounted, and with gallant escorts,
oftimes would follow the hounds in full
cry, taking daring leaps as they flew
over fields in chase Of the wary fox.
There were many contiguous farms
or plantations adjoining the estate, on
which we're thousands Of acres of wav-
ing corn and growing %cottony cultivat-
ed by African slaves. The masters
kind and considerate Of all these de-
pendants, we're held in profound res
pect, and they we're cheerful and con-
tented under his dominion. The young
er members OF the family were held in
special alteration by these faithful
slaves-constant companions In child
hood, partners of their youthful grief
and joys-who would willingly have
given their lives for the sake OF "young
marster' or young mistis.' Such
was the devotion these humble slaves
bore to their superiors, and this was
the happy, prosperous condition of the
South, when viewed at a distance by
our conscientious Northern neighbors
who had found the Institution of slav-
cry Improbable, now deemed it pru-
dent to relieve the South Of 90 profit
able q resource. For years this ques
ton was agitated until a bitter section,
al antagonism existed, and the es-
arrangement between the two localities
had so widened that there was but lit
tie intercourse between the people Of
North and South, and they regarded
each other almost as distinct national
tiles. At length matters had graviated
to such a point that the booming of
cannon and musketry and clashing of
arms was heard throughout the land
we love, and the American people were
engaged in one of the bloodiest war
the world has ever witnessed, costing
the lives Of nearly a million of men,
and taking the light and love from as
many happy homes and loving hearts.
The heroic struggle the Southern
people made to retain their rights and
property entailed by ancestry, and the
accommodations of years was one of the
most valiant and strenuous efforts his
tory has ever recorded. Loyalty and
development to the noble cause was
rife throughout the land, and never
had a people evinced a more determin
ed spirit than now animated the South
ern men, women and children. Upon.
the first call men few to their arms,
and wives and mother sent their hus-
bands and sons to battle without a
murmur.
Southern valor, directed by leaders
whose names were identified with the
proudest prestige OF America, and the
noble, patriotic soldiers enlisted in de-
fence Of principles which we're the
dearest convictions of the Southern
hearts.
Never were opposing forces more
nnequally met. The grand army If the
assailant, thoroughly provided with
every appliance Of modern warfare,
schoOled and disciplined In military
tactics, unlimited wealth and re-
sources, and inexaustible numbers,
combined with all the elements of su-
periorty against a people entirely agri-
cultural in habits and resources, weak
IN numbers and q government not yet
organized three months; without sup
plies, without navies and shipyards.
aud without time or opportunity to
obtain them. It is not strange that
this grand invading host was so conf.
dent Of q glorious victory and their
war cry was. "Let Il be short, sharp
and decisive" and with one bloody
holocaust the victory was theirs. But
for q moment lot as glance at the SUD
den revulsion Of this grand army ofthe
enemy who had derived the Confeder-
atas for the want Of numbers, the want
Of arms, and it's lack Of all essential
material Of war. Behold their AFRO
gance and hauteur put to flight, routed
&C every point, and now flying In in
glorious retreat before the victorious
columns Of the Confederates. tRegi-
ment after regiment came rushing
along the road and over fields. But
soon all distinction Of regiments and
companies Of infantry, cavalry and
artillery we're lost. The confusion Of
Babel was synthetic order and perfect
symmetery when compared with the
chaotic uproar which nov prevailed.
Soon the way Of flight became choked
with private conveyRnces, with terri
fed civiliane, with broken gun-car-
riages, all Stumbling, crashing and roll
ling against each other, wounded
horses plunged TO and fro la the midst
nn