The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1889-10-24
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CAMDEN, S. c. OCTOBER "A, 1889.
FARMERS SHOULD ORGANIZE.

a very large majority of the people OF
the Southern and Western States OF the
American Union are agriculturists; and
the time will never come when it will not
be so. for the reason that no whore else on
the earth are soil and climate so favorable
for the production of all that feeds and
clothes the world. They arc the great
standby OF any country. They are the
burden bearers. They not only support all
other callings, but they are the conserva-
tors of society. No part of the population
of any country are SO indispensable as the
acriculturists. Then, why should they not
organiz.? Merchants, bankers, manufac-
turers. tradesmen, doctors, lawyers, teach.
ers and, in some instances. even preachers
have their chambers Of commerce, e1-
changes, associations and unions. but
the farmers-they, the product OF whcso
toll i necessary to the comfortable exis-
tence of ell others-are practically without
organization. With all of the appliances
and opportunities which the spirit and ge-
MUS of the nineteenth century have placed
within their reach, they adhere to the meth
ods # their ancestors, the early settlers OF
this country. Nothing is so Illuminating
as the attitude of farmers in their dealings
with the rest Of mankind. Though they
are the real lords OF the land-'their coun-
try's e"--they are but little better than
begears, With them it is: What will you
take for what you would sell us? But what
will YOU gre for what we would sell you:
II is singular that nobody else in the world
asks the latter question. And it is also
singular that the form Of the question
changes as sson as their products leave
their hands. The Southern farmer hauls
his cotton to the market, and, after getting
il "cut," IA thing he would not presume TO
do himself,) lie proceeds to "try the mar
ket"-to hunt for purchaser. His cotton
nass,s into other hands, and at once there
is demand for it-purchasers not waiting
to be sought out, but ready and anxious
TO buy at such prices as the market may
warrant. The Western farmer asks Oh
those with. whom he deals: What will you
give me for my corn, bacon and hour'-
While his brother of the South inquiries OF
those with whom he deals whether ne can
purchase the same articles on time at any
price, and secure the payment OF the pur-
chase money thereof, amounting frequent
" TO an advance of f, rr-fths OF one hum
dred per cent. upon cost, by a lien upon all
of his crops, and mortgage of his home
and farm, horse and mule, wagon ana
cart, and cow and calf, in esse and not I"
esse. The mortgage would doubtless also
include the wife and little ones, it the law
allowed it.
Whether it is due to excessive taxation,
to the oppression Of the lien low and credit
system, the iniquities Of the tariff, or TO
any or all of these, or other causes, the fact
stands out that the agriculturists OF the
country. and particularly Of the South, are
not prospering, but are growing poorer as
the years go by. How to improve their con-
dition, should be the all-absorbing ques-
ton. The subject should, and we doubt
not does, receive the earnest consideration
not only of enlightened planters, but OF
all persons who have the welfare of their
country at heart. They may not be able
to discover and cut off root and branch oil
the causes of their impoverishment, but
by organizing, and holding communion
with one another and with their friends. in
other ities-by standing together as
one man-they can do much towards ame-
horatiug their condition. They Can intro
duce and develope different aid more eco-
nomic.,l methods of farming; they c.npTo-
mote personal integrity, and foster spirit
of manly self.reliance that will laugh at
lien laws and credit systems; they can, by
united action, bid defiance to trusts, and
all other combinations against humanity;
they can do so much to increase the prices
of the articles that they sell, and to reduce
the prices of those that they buy.
1t is to be hoped, then, that the day is
not far distant when the agriculturallsts
of the country shall be thoroughly organ
ized-not for the purpose Of making war
upon those engaged in other pursuits
whose dealings are legitimate and proper;
not for the promotion of the political aspl'
rations of demagogues, place-hunters ana
time-servers: but for their own and their
country's protection and salvation. Let
the work of organization go on; let the real
objects be kept steadily in view; and the
time will come when the improved condl-
ton of our farmers will not only be seen
in the increased comforts and happiness OF
their own homes, but will be felt and ap-
preciatcd in all the walks OF life. For
nothing is truer than that, rs are the
farmers, so arc the rest Of mankind.
When they are blessed with abundance,
the world shares with them the blessing.
| Nyh., +bnv frnr the world groans.