Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-04-24

dggS$NN&1Ek every soc'a' aSpir"tlon' wno "Vuiu
&Sgnkn enjoy contented existence, a
WEssS-S ~ prosperous section, an ideal eli.
W1I-<-1>- mate, healthful surrounding.
Especially does Mississippi the central state OF the
South, now making the most rapid strides forward,
since recovering from it's devastation from I'M.
natural conflict already credited to a former
generation
Whatever may have been the bitterness engen-
dered by the conflict of nearly half q century ago,
in whatever degree Of alteration may be held the
memories OF the participants in that conflict, the
people Of Mississippi today, who will make this
one OF the grandest states In the ssterhood of the
nation, meet with open hands and glad greetings
all who come from any section to join them in the
grand work In hand, and bid them welcome.
The record Of the past few years have demon
strated that In every vocation Of life, the man Of
moderate means has far better opportunities here
than are presented to him in any other state. The
natural richness Of the SOIL the length OF the season.
the mild winters, the healthful, invigOrating eli.
mate, suggests to him a close proximity to that
famous spot of which we have read so much, called
the Garden of Eden.
"Slow.gOiDg, non-progressive, Indifferent to
efforts for advancement" did we hear some one
sayi Yes, jost slow enough to always be sure you
are right; progressive but not ftully enthusiastic
to degree OF slopping over but always there with
the goods; Indifferent to the passionate appeals Of
fanaticism the siren song that lures men to the
commission Of indiscretons.
There will not be found here the paste diamond
boomer Of the once cactus blooming West nor the
man whose possessions Of blue sky made him the
political autocrat OF the banquet table and the hero
- -
found in every hamlet, every city, every community
Of clean cut views, cool heads, cultured minds
and active brains, who would not exchange their
place OF abode for gilded palace in any foreign
land or brown stone front in any city Of his own
country. He is satisfied with his surroundings,
pleased with his Environments, happy in his
associations, and patriotic to every elevating
thought OF his state and his nation Such men can
not be other than good citizens dutiful husbands,
careful and exemplary fathers, when such duties
come. to them.
These men are not, to nse homely expression,
tearing their hair to bring about radical change
or leave their present abode but rather are content
to await the growth OF public sentiment until it
shall stand on a par with their ideas. Each year
they contribute something to the betterment OF their
state the beantying Of their homes, to the solution
Of any problem that is presented to them, and
deemed worthy Of consideration.
For example, to give some idea as to the ad-
vancement made In Mississippi 10 commercial and
substantial way during the past quarter Of cen.
tury, it s only necessary to compare the credit Of
the state with that Of its consideration twenty years
ago. Up to that time, while the people Of the South
were struggling with theirown problem ofreconstruct
Ing their shattered institutions they paid little at
tention to commercial interests industrial enter
prises. They we're merely striving to smooth over
tho scars and manage to educate their children, aud
make ends inset at the end OF each year.
Then the trade Of this section was scarcely given
thought by the great iObbers and wholesale people
OF the rushing world north Of us. II an aggressive
merchant per chance happened to order from st.
Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago Louisville, any other
city fair sized stock 81 goods with which to COM
menCe business, before anything was shipped, or
even billed TO him, innumerable letters wonld be
sent out to ascertain il there possibility Of
the gentleman being able to meet his payments as
they would fall doe. The fact was that few wished
to extend their business into the South. They we're
afraid Of lohg intent WAS the prejudice the false
opinion that this section COuld not make good To-
day the trade Of every merchant IN every hamlet,
every village every city throughout the state and
the entire South for that matter, ie drummed and
sought after with avidIty. Twenty years ago
drummer II this section was ! curiosity rubber.