Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1885-10-22

uu1 UcCdOcS hC 0io aSo IAono ~ 6SSN,.
crops as his neighbors, but because he.
miamanaged his affairs and squander..
ed his resources. In this extremity,
what is to be done? Mortgage the
crop! Mortgage the stock and imple
ments Mortgage the land ! He mort,
cages his brain and muscle and places
himself in the tolls Of the Anaconda;
and it begins to contract its muscles
and tighten itself around him. A
freeman yesterday-a slave to day.
Where there was mirth and gladness
and joy, we now seem gloom, de-
spondency and distress.
Debit debit debit It is the incu,
bus that disturbs, distracts, destroys.
It is the monster that consumes the
vitals, like the vu.tures did the liver
of Prometheus. 1t is Scylla and Cha
ribdis, fraught with danger on every
side. 1t is the moth that eats, the
rust that corrupts, and the thief that
steals. It is the sea that swallows up
and the fire that consumes. It iR
binding darkness, that is 30 thick
that it can be felt. 1t is Pandora 3
box letting loose every conceivable
evil, without even hope being left be-
hind.
If the farmer wants salvation, he
must fly from debt and liens and
mortgages like Lott did from Sodom.
Let him endure, suffer, and almost
starye, before he buyson credit. With
oul debt, he is Samson in the power
of his might. With it, he is Samson
in the bewitching tolls of Delilah.
We need change in the habits
and practices of those farmers who 80
recklessly and inconsiderately run in.
to debt. Who make little or no effort
to provide the means of carrying on
their business without getting them
on credit. Who do not try to build
up their business and make it self sus
tanning, but who eat up their seed
corn and trust to luck for enough tc
plant the next crop. Instead Of 60
Ing a year ahead, they are going g
year behind. What would be certain
ty in one case, is rendered doubtful
in the other. They have to work un
der the eye and the goad and lash O.
the master. They must buy without
regard to cost, and sell without re
gard to price. This is the real cause
Of our troubles. This is the rock upor
which we split.
In 1876 a great cry was raised foI
political reform and the country shool
.I:from centre TO circumference. Th'
political atmosphere was purified ane
we entered upon what We called
career of prosperity. Ten years have
!. passed away and yet another grea
reform is needed: The farmer, VIII
is the foundation Of the prosperity o
the country, must prosper or tn
whole fabric falls to The ground. 81
must rid himself Of the great load Q
debt that be las so long carried Of
his shoulders. Like the burden 9
Gain ,itismore than he can bear. Thl
cannot be done by Senates nor b
Courts. The farmer must rise in hi
J might and voluntarily shake this bul
den of. 1t cannot be lifted from hi
, shoulder by any third party. Their
/ is a principle involved that lies at th
, the cabin and in the palace of th
farmer. Pay as you 90 and you wi
/ unloose the shackles that are tendiD
|, to keep you in bondage.
Credit is good thing, the worl
j. over; but it should be taken liz
: poisonous medicines, in very sma
9 doses. As exercise and fresh air an
abstemiousness are good for the bod.
. 80 they are good for the farmer wi
is likely to have to go in debt for Il
b means CT making crop. A del
q once created must be extinguishe