The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-01
LET US CALL A HALT.

n, QUICKLY ORGANIZE TO MEET
TRUSTS AND COMBINES.
Q Cotton Planters Journal.
If ever there was q time when de-
. mand was made upon the cotton grow.
l ers of the South to call q halt
. and take u reckoning, that day is now
at hand. On all sides we learn of
4 trusts, combines, unions and associa-
: tions, concentrating to promote certain
i, interests. We have tho cotton ex-
, changes, the merchants exchanges,
grocers' unions, and every line with
which the cotton growers have to deal
are organized and act rs q unit for tho
. bcttermcnt and protection of their
9 business. Neatly every article essen-
? tial to the cotton grower ls woll pro-
tected by some kind of "trust" or
union, and yet the cotton growers re-
main divided and hclpless--dependcnt
on the good graces and selfish interests
Of their commercial communicates.
1t has become very "chestnutty" to
cant and recant the shortcomings
Of our farmers on this all important
subject, and it is not our intention to
pessimistically portray them again.
What we want to do is to rouse you to
action. When you stop to think that
you are tho prime potential factors
the foundation stones, rs it were, Of
this whole fabric and force-how
mighty, indeed, should be your voice in
effecting It's plans and purposes.
| In union there 10 strength, A sister
State has emblazoned on its coat of
arms: United we stand-divjded we
fall" There ls no better gospel than
that ga house divided against itself
cannot stand" Why, then, don't the
cotton growers organizer There WIS
organized in 1898 Cotton Growers
Union, but this is largely generic, and
we need something more local and
special.
We are not unaware Of the much
sense and nonsense that has been
written about the bad faith of the
planters in upholding their resolutions.
We know these resolutions have been
"mOre honored in tho bl each than in the
| observance" and yet we have enough
faith in the intelligence ol our constit-
uency to believe they will yet awake to
see their wants and turn from the er-
ror of their way. This is no time to
listen to the doleful tune Of the pessi-
mist-what we want are ways and
means-and every planter should con-
sttute himself committeeman to con-
tribute something toward an organiza-
ton that can cope with the combined
sources with which he has to deal. The
power and effect Of organization is too
we'll known to take your time and our
space to discuss. There should be
some way--some method, come organ
to advise you Of the approach of an
enemy or the visit Of friend. Self
protection 10 law Of nature, and there
are mono more able to protect their in.
terest than the cotton growers, if they
will only combine their forces.
Our Western States teem with agri-
cultural organizations, and results have
been most beneficial and gratifying.
Our honorable Secretary Of Agricul-
ture has said: 81 am glad to testify
that the spirit Of improvement and
progress is more general among Amer
lean farmers than ever before, and the
necessity of organization and educa.,
tion along lines pertaining to economic
production, is moro fully recognized,
etc.,
1t is not our argument that all the
world is inimlcable to the farmer.
There is coming to be more intolli-
gent understanding Of the inter-de-
pendence Of the various industries. and
a recognition of the fact that no one
legitimate industry can exist by prey
ing upon another; they are largely in-
tcr-dependent and the prosperity of
one should mean the prosperity Of all.
Theoretically, the former is an indie
pendent character, and his conserya-
tlsm is safeguard to society. But he
is not independent 30 long ns he feels
he is being oppressed. We would
have the fasmer take his proper place
the place which his contribution to the
support of all business enterprises
warrants-and become o positive force
instead Of mere negative complainer.
We are moving steadily forward.
There are some who insist on riding
backward, and think therefore the
world is goinS in the wrong direction
but they aue those talking among the
sutlcr's wagons-rather than IN line,
fighting the real battles Of life, and
helping to solve it's serious problems.
Let the cotton growers quickly organ
ize, establish clubs, unions, or some
thing-everywhere---whereby you can
marshal your forces and protect your
selves against the encroachment Of any
enemy. Considered III any aspect, such
an organization will be practically ben
ehcial. The changing conditions in
the production and distribution of
crops, necessity Of q thorough kDowl-
edge of the markets, are matters that
can he discussed and effectually acted
upon, nowhere better than by meane
Of organization, and, indeed, such can
be made the forum OF the farmer and
the source Of invaluable information.
| ---.sa<za-s -szzaz----
HIGHLAND COUNTY FARMFRS.
To the Editor OF The State: