Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1905-08-01
COL. EWING
Addresses an Open Letter to
Tobacco Growers.


My Dear Sir.
Ihave no doubt that every mem
Der of oursplendid organizationnow
fully realizes the possibilities OF tne
combined efforts of farmers, and no
doubt each member who has stood
honest and true to this great cause
feels a stronger man for the part ne
is daily playing in this great fight.
Obstacles were daily thrown in our
wav: first to prevent organization, to
ridicule our efforts was their course,
and next to prevent a sale of tobacco
after it was splendidly prepared for
market; but we knew our strength
and were determined to exert it to
the extent of honesty, justice and
fairness, which we knew would win
our fight, but throughout the whole
fight your Executive Committee has
carefully weighed the rights Of the
other side; and been very careful to
see that no injury &C lnJ Iitice wa
done them. We sin ply wanted
what we were entitled t)-a better
price and voice in tae Management
Of our own affairs. Now that we
all feel assured tina sac :ess is ours,
for reasons which none of us doubt;
first, the contracting with Mr.. G.
Reusens, one Of the very ablest to
bacco men in the world as our New
York Agent; second, safe financial /
third, and best of al. |
the rapid selling Of our tobacco at
Association prices, wt;;l are SO DE-
better than IN, ices Of the
past few years. l want 20 call yodr
attention to an Obligation we each
have to the others. Frs. we should
pledge our 1905 crop i lie Associa-
ton and put our h)e determine
ton to the effort of aiding in getting
every man who has not pledged his
1905 crop. whether he has hereto
fore been q member or not, to pledge !
it. If you feel that you cannot ac-
complish this alone, get up little
groups Of neighbors to go with you
to see such parties and assure them
that it is not only best for your com
munity, but best for them. We can
make our success complete without
a doubt, and for all time if every
member will resolutely determine to
secure another member and thus
make us so solid the world will mar
vel at our strength. l want to call
your attention to a few things our
enemies are reported to have said.
When an effort was made to get
buyers to combine against buying !
our tobacco, it is said one very
buyer remarked that "it
would never do to let farmers know
their strength, for if we do it will
cost buyers millions Of dollars"
This should be our battle cry
Every farmer should remember this
carefully and resent it by strengthen
ing our organization in every honor
able way. Again would admonish |
you of a proposition our enemy will |
make. which is to buy tobacco in the !
patch. They are trespassing upon a |
farmers intelligence when they |
make such a proposition. Surely no
farmer will believe him sincere in
such a proposition, but on the con-
trary see clearly that it is done for
the purpose of breaking up our or
ganization, if not for the present,
for the future. We have not or
ganized for the present only, every
farmer realizes his only safety is in
organization for all time. Be stead
fast, earnest and energetic. Do not
listen to the honeyed talk of the man
who has in the past injured you, and
while we should lend respectful
courtesy to everyone, show these
buyers the farmers are no longer q
set Of dupes, infants or fools.
Yours truly,
F. G. EWING,