The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-12-31
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AN ADDRESS
by President Stokes to the Allinncemen
of South Carolina.

! The following address has been is
sued to the Alliaucomen of South Car
olina by Hon. J. W. Stokes, President
of the State Alliance:
need not tell you that sore distress
prevails throughout the borders of our
State among all laboring people, but
especially among agriculturists. The
line prices year ago stimulated actiyi-
ty and confidence, and with bounding
nope they III many cases passed the
limit Of prudence IN contracts for fer
lillZerS and labor.
In most sections of the State the
crops are very short, while the receipts
at the ports would indicate not only an
unprecedented but an incredible gener-
al yield. Large fertilizer contracts, a
short crop, and prices below the cost of
production, while the manufactured
article has actually advanced in price.
tells the story with very many OF our
people. From mountain to seaboard
their plant distress comes up to this of D..
lice; but to the honor of those who
write it must be said that there is little
OF the spirit of repining complaint.
The spirit of those who write Is the
spirit OF those masses for whom they
write.
TO the everlasting credit of our peo.
PIE, De 1t sad, In most cases they are
1Sy yA'So Wy ShSih SOlllldCtO JuSU dS lar us
Their limited crops VIII reach at pre-
Valling ruinOus prices. The spectacle
or an Industrious man Surrendering his
| last blade OF fodder and buShel of corn
toward the liquidation Of his debt, com
pelS admiration even in the abstract.
but when that man turns his steps
h"meWard empty-handed to an empty
corn-crib and flour barrel, knowing that
he must look into trusting eyes, brim-
ming with anxiety and foreboding, or
dulled into dumb patience undar bur
dens long endured, inevitable, the case
assumes tragic phase.
! a hard thing to do, that; but it is a
SUPERB thing, because it is the right
thing, tho honest thing, the manly
thing. The contract was to pay to the
extent OF the crop; and the contract
should be metaS made. 1t matters not
that in some cases there was eXtortion:
or that the living for which the pro-
duct OF whole years labor and indus
try was pledged was meagre living of
the plaincst sort. The contracts were
made that way and should be met us
made.
This is the right course; and it. is also
the best policy. Accommodations for
another year will be rnore easily ob.
tanned If the accounts for this year are
eQnltaOly adjusted. 1t puts matters in
better business shape to close the ac.
count for the year Ivy settlement, even
II tho needs Of the customer require the
Te-opcninG of the account next day. |
'"USt, however, that as far rs possible,
our people Will avoid going into dei,t
N"Xt year, even if they have to hire out
FOR 4 season or for 4 whole year.
l4rt us take counsel with each other
III this Sc.GOn Of sore distrpsS-a com
] tF.,rt Sl II
cause, d common hclrfulneSS. Let our
people cling closer together and thus
strengthen each others hand, and cling
| closer TO our organizations. Great
wrongs have hcen hCaped upon agri.
culture, under which it is langu5hing
or painting for life. Shall we desert the
only organization that promises help?
Shall We desert its principles and sub
nut III dumb patience like beasts of bur-
den, because our efforts to help our
selves have stirred up opposition?
Hathcr let us knit ourselves together
with 4 closer tie, take courage from the
righteousness Of our cause, atteId our
meetings, discuss these broader uues-
tionS as well Us OR individual needs,
and solution will be found in Gods
own good time. "An things come to
him who can wait" is an old prOYerb.
No question is settled until it is settled
right. We know that existing condi-
tlonS are unequal; and no man Of intel.
| llgcnt honesty maintains that they are
right. The general cOllcenSus Of opinion
IS that they are not right, however wide
ly they may diiIer aS to the causes and
the remedies, and = general awakening
OF the public conscience upon a given
matter, is the sure precursor of better
things.
Attend the meetings, then, and dis
cuSs these broad questions of principle
as well as your individual ills and
needs. lct the stronger lock arms with
the weaker and thus make stronger
| union, that will tide us over the i'm
pending crisis.
DO all this; but especially should each
Alliance man attend his Sub at the last
meeting in December; let each talk
! freely to the end that delegates to the
County Alliance may be posted fully as
to the conditions and needs Of his mem
berS. AS soon as delegates are appoint
ed let the secretary be instructed to send
their names and post offices to this Of
flee.
Then let every member, whether dc.
legate on not attend the January meet
ing of his County Alliance. Matters of
eSpeclai interest will be there presented,
and 1t is hoped that every member, who
| possibly can, Will be there. Let the
january meeting Of the County ALI
ance b"a general rallying ground, to
| the end that in the multitude Of counsel
the safety Of onr people may be assured,
and the proper measures Of relief be de.
vised from the difficulties that environ
us.
Brethren, let us all bear with forti-
tude the evil day, bear like men the
burdens we cannot shake Off, do our
duty. With an abiding faith in the
righteousness and justice Of our princi-
pies, and in the existence Of our God, a
righteous and just author of the affairs
of men. we shall obtain the relief we
seek.
Let us attend the December meeting
Of the Subs and the January meeting
Of the County Alliances. as far as posi-
bic: and bend our thought and effort to
the establishment of better things.
Fraternally,
j. WIN. STOKES.
I)rpS - n Stntn 4 llinnnn