The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1917-01-19

6AuNtU VI ~ u SCTSttt ii an
other In Oldsn times were character.
lied as 'hewers OF stone and drawers
OF water" for their more fortunate
brethren. This language is applicable
10 the peOp e OF Mississippi to a great
extent under existing conditions. We
are paying trfbute to almost every CIV
! ilized country when the tribute should
by all means be coming the other way.
This is not mcde in the sense of a
criticism. but Is stating a fact In plain
language by II who has labored with
the masses Of the people for many
years In trying to change this cOndi-
ton. and Is in n position to fully ap-
preciate just where we are in the
great brotherhood Of civilized people
J and countries.
To bring the people to a full ~realiza.
ton or their condition and secure their
attention, 1t is necessary to use Ian
susge that is so plain TINT none can
misunderstood. And this in the lace
OF facts that cannot be disputed. that
We have advantages far superior to
many OF the progressive sections that
at present are exacting from us this
tribute.
the statement that heads this ar.
ticla Is true. and its authenticity can
be readily proven, then II 1 certainly
time that we were awakening from
our Iethargy and putting forth that ef-
iOrt that VIII bring our peop e into
their W and command for us what
is rightfnlly ours.
Although our soils are fertile ARD
hr0dVrt Iihorallv ~ tt,n hal -
hat are In everyday use in a great
majority OF the homes OF this and 9th.
er nations. IL Is a fact that we are buy.
ing daily many artic es of food aud
other commerce that is produced upon
lands hundreds and thousands of miles
away from us. A glance upon the
shelves OF the stores in any part of
the state will verify this statement.
Our armer do not have a ready
and stable market for what they are
able TO produce. but go on year after
year buying what Is grown and packed
oy farmers in other sections that has
been loaded with the cost O! several
dealers II more than one ~transporta-
ton company. The same condition
applies to the stock man. although it
has beer repeatedly proven that we
can grow live stock OF all kinds here
Tor less than In the sections from
which our supply Of meats usually
come.
There Is a reason for this, and 4
good one. and knowing the cause,
there Is more Of a reason why it
should be removed at the earliest DOS.
sible moment. This condition can be
changed, by our people in a very few
years II they only WILL.
We have made little or no effort to
properly place u wares before the
consuming public and acquaint the
buyers with the excellence OF what we
might have to sell. On the other hand.
the progressive and aggressive farm.
ers OF other sections have exploited
and popularized their products to the
point that they are found upon the
shelves Of stores everywhere.
California has invested multiplied
Thousands Of dollars in making the
public OF the civilized globe want her
oranges and lemons and has created
a demand that takes care OF all they
produce. Mississippi can and does, to
some extent, produce the finest sweet
potatoes in the wor d. but has one or.
gained effort been made to induce
people TO buy and eat nj potato?
Colorado cantaloupes are stable
upon the tables Of the pest hotels ev.
~erywhere. but call for Mississippi gu.
gar cane syrup and find that the Ca
terer has never heard OF it, although
you know that it is by far the best
that is grown anywhere in the world.
And this condition applies along
down a line that would grow tedious
In the recounting. We are without a
market for the reason that no effort |
and produce a market. Other sections |
have blazed the way and demonstrated
just how a demand car be created, |
and 1t Is high time that the peOp e OF
Mississippi realized the fact that they
must be up and doing IL they are to
have what belongs to them.
The greatest opportunity of a CEN
fury for beginning this campaign to
make a demand for our products is TO |
be found in the Exposition. A reason
able investment will bring to the at.
tention and favorable consideration of
the hundreds OF thousands OF visitors
that will come from other states and
foreign countries as many of our prod
ucts as the people see fit to prepare
and exploit to them.
But some mar is ready to say that
times are hard and we are not able to
do things this that is suggested. 1t is
safe to answer that SO long as some
thing OF this kind Is not done, times
will lcontinue hard. Just so long as
we. remain asleep and continue TO pay
good money to the more progressive
sections for stuff that they are push
ing. Just so long will we be without a
market or demand for our stuff and
times will be hard.
The best merchants always adver-
tise most literally during a lax bust
ness period. There is a much better
reason why they should in dull times
than when business Is good. The
farmer and stockman is only a mer-
Tho prnlndo ~ fbn NI:,.;r;... IN