Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1904-09-13
TOBACCO MEN ORGANIZE
An Appeal From Cactus" to The
Plantersof the Home District.

The planters Of the dark tobacco
district have been patient, and
long suffering, but they have not
now an air OF conteutment. They
have become restless, they are
wrestling with serious PROPOSE
ton, which is staring at them.
They know full well what this
proposition is, it is the prices they
are being paid for tobacco, their
chief source of revenue.
They can be seen conversing
with each other and scanning the
newspapers for Developments.
They are on the eve OF great bat
tie, the greatest in the history of
the planting of tobacco, but one
they can win by uRited effort, and a
proper conception of the duties OF a
citizen.
Every citizen has an obligation
to his country and to the particu-
lar locality in which he resides.
To be worthy citizen be must con-
tribute something to the general
welfare, he must be patriotic and
loyal.
In this he is at all times further
ing his own prosperity, for if every
man does this, it rebounds to the
general good. Patriotism to coun.
try and 10y atty to consistent pur-
pose are synonymous with success.
A meeting of every intelligent to-
bacco planter has been called by
the president of the association,
Mr.. Chas. H. Fort, to be held at
Guthrie, Sept, "a The object of
the meeting is to arrive at some
practical, legitimate plan of con-
certed action by which to thwart
the methods of the trust in under
buying.
What is the duty of every plant
er? To begin with, might say that
l have not yet seen or heard of a
planter who does not say that an
evil exists. That we have a com
mon enemy is beyond controversy.
Ia this view of the matter 1t 5 to the
interest of every planter, large or
small, of high or low degree, to cor
rect It.
1t Is not the duty, nor is it pos
s;bility, for one man, or few men
TO correct IT. 1t is the PLAIN duty
ct every man, and an men, to con.
t ibute to It's correction according
to his circumstances and his ca
pdcity. 1t is neither tair nor man
ny for one to wait Tor another to do
some thing for him. Whether pessi-
mists or optlmists, every man
should attend this meeting at Guth-
RE with an earnest desire to do
good for his country, his neghbor
aud himself.
The drones and fossils are more
to be feared, men who will agree to
anything, and do nothing. Such
men are not entitled to a position of
csteem in their respective localities.
There are men " no say that it is
impossible for farmers 10 organize,
hen possibly they are the men
Who are preventing such organlz
ion,
A proper conception OF duty would
he for this man to endeavor to edu-
cate and persuade his pesslmlsttc
ueighbor that the good Of the local.
ty demands concerted action, and
that no man can afford 10 be a lag
gard at time like this. Inaction
T., the part Of weakllng, not OF a
man, for every man realizes that
something must be done.
Tn 5 meeting at Guthrie is for
open discussion of the most impOr.
tan question that confronts plant.
ers today. A committee was ap.
pointed some months ago to mature
some plan Of operating. This com
mlttee has plan for discussion,
consideration, and if thought wise
acceptance; but by attendance nc
man is understood to subscribe tC
it. If he approves he can make il
known.
We meet to agree on the best plar
r submitted. Intelligent speakers
will attend to explain the plan pro
posed. 1t becomes question
D "Wlll planters free themselves
from oppression by intelligent con
cert, or will they, from narrow pes