The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-04-05
COTTON GROWERS MEETING.
JOHN 4. McIlAURN AND f. I'll
WESTON SPEAK.
81 Large and Enthusiastic Assembly OF
Representative Farmers Who Are
Committed to Reduction of
Acreage.


The large assemblage Of farmers
sthas was called to order In the Court
House at II. 40 O'Clock Monday
& 81 q. B. Ssnckey, President OF
the Sumter county Cotton Growers
ASSOCIATION, was an inspiring and con-
vincing evidence of the earestess.
zeal and determination with which
she cotton growers of Sumter county
ehave entered upon the struggle to
emancipate the greatest industry Of
The South from the harmful and
grinding domination of those who
have grown rich by depressing the
growers Of cotton for years and years.
The Court House was filed to over
aoWing. seats and aisles being crowd
ssed wish the representative farmers OF
& county, both white and black.
President Seuckey in his introduc-
tory remarks expressed his gratitlca-.
ton a5 the large and representative
gatheriRg and said he regarded 1t as
an evidence of the interest the people
are takiing in this the most important
movement the peopls of the South
have ever participated IN.
Mr.. Weston Speaks.
-
BE hrst introduced Hon. F. 81.
Weston, OF Columbia, Secretary OF
5fise State Cotton Growers Associa-
ticn Mr. Weston said that it gave
1 him pleasure to meet and speak TO the
farmers Of Sumter county, who are
bound by snch close and Intimate
xias tc those Of his own county so4
Kfshland. He voiced the regret that
III felt at the absence of Mr. E.. d.
smith President of the State kssocia-
ton. and stated that only the call OF
arty induced Mr. Smith to forego
Sfhe Measure it would have afforded
him to address his friends In his
own old mother county on the subject
that lies next his heart. Mr. Smith
& ssfa said. had been called to Benefits
vile TO address meeting of Marlboro
Farmers. and Yeeling that he "ss more
needed IN Marlboro today and could
do more good there thar he could IN
Sumter, he eobeyed the call CT duty.
Me. Weston discussed thessituatlon
that gave birth to the Cotton Growers
ASSOCIATION in clear, forcible and
enlightening manner. He stressed 7sas
siimportance of the work that the ass
sociationhas accomplished, and impress
ed upon his hearers the vital results
thas depend upon the determination
and constancy of the farmers OF the
South. BE urged the farmers Of
y Sumter county to stand as steadfast
and true IN this crises in the indus,
trial history Of the South as there
forefatIlers stood in 1861-65. and in
every other crises, through which
their county had passed.
He told of the work that is being
done by the association ia this and
other States and bade his hearers be
Of good heart and courage. assuring
them that the vast majority OF the
Farmers are heart and soul in the
struggle to wrest their independence
from the cotton spectators and fore
s i'm cotton manufacturers who have
$50 long held them in grleyous bond.
age.
He said that he was elected Secre-
tary of the Safe Association without
solicitation, and that salary, hao
been voted TO him, net dollar OF
which he expected to touch; that be
was working for the good of the State
ard South, and that it was a patriotic
work q work of love and devotion
sn which each man who loved the
state should do his part to the best oi
his ability and as his opportunity per
mitted, without money and without
price.
By the time Mr. Weston had con.
elnded his speech the Court House
was so crowded that almost half o.
those present were unable to obtain
seats. Mr. Stuckey then announced
that the meeting would be adjourned
to the Opera House where all cculc
sfind seats and be comfortable.
Repairing to the Opera House,
Hon. John L. McLaurin. Of Marlboro,
WAS introduced He was received
cheers and handcleppilg when
he advanced to the front of the stage,
and throughout his address Of more
than an hours duration he received
liberal and at times enthusiastic ap.
plause.
As Mr.. McLaurin stated in the
cnurss of his remarks. he came here
siff, written address, but he could
suoe stick to it closely, for as be
syWarmed up to his theme he elaborat-
Fsed ard illustrated his argument with
facts, statistics and anecdotes that
came to him On the spur of the mo-
mept.
The following extracts from the
written speech give an IDEA of the
trend Of .Mr. McLaurin's argument,
fail entirely to. do the speech
Justice, for it is fact that must be
stated that the better and more strik
Ing part of the. speech was that which
was not reduced to writing in ad
vance.
Mr. Chairamn and Fellow Citizens 81
III fof