The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-10
4 Letter from Mr.. Kennedy.
Editor Press and Hammer.

Editor Press and Banner:
How many of the farmers all over the cot
ton belt are there who have carried out the
pledges OF the Southern Cote on Growers As
ISOLATION? How many are there who no
only pledged themselves; but who have alse
true 10 their pledges, despite the powerful
pressue that has been brought to bear or
them TO break those pledges.
a great many on the 3rd of June If statistics
prove that there was no reduction. Yon
could hear 1t on every side, 81 told you they
would not reduce the acreage. / knew they
were going TO plant rs much az ever"
Why there are some who would not believe
the government report If there was a % per
cent. reduction made. l believe there are
thousands of true and noble formers who
dition that will reduce and he benefited
thereby even should there be a big crop rails
ed.
On the other hand. how many are there
that have ignored and positively refused TO
| help in this great movement have gone on re-
CARELESS of the pleadings ond warnings in the
same old rut, blinded by selfish motives aud
purposes seeking TO be benefited by the sacri-
fees they hope the other follow will make eX-
pectlng him to be true and loyal and he be
the gamer thereby.
Be true 10 your coIors, boys. and don't act
the part OF Il hypocrit Don't go around and
say you do not have no confidence in your
brother farmer. and that he Will not do this
or that, but lay your prejudice aside and come
out boldly and ally yourself with those who
have already put their shoulders to the wheel
and do yuur part IN 4 noble and commenda-
BILE way, and prove oy your actions that you
intond 10 better your condition.
What is needed In this great movement is
confidence and unity of action. What Is
more than a house divided against Itself Will
fall, hence the necessity OF concert OF action
Oh the part OF the fHrmers.'
One farmer cart do much alone, but one
thousand can. Why Ia 1t that our great sta
pie which is worth 80 much TO the world keep
- lp,a ,NNNrO A ctnnln fhnf hrnnnhf
last year seven hundred million dollars,
lust think OF II, and yet we are almost made
paupers by 1t. ard all for the want of organl-
Eating and working for our " interest as
other vocations, occupations and professions
Why Cant we sell our cotton direct to the
spinner and save the one-fourth hat goes In
TO the middle mans pocket? Is 1t because
the mills will hot buy from us9 Yes. In the
first place we are not In q position TO sell to
the mills When we can offer one, two or
Ave hundred bale lois then we will be recog.
nized and patronlzed oy the mills.
We have got TO get In a aosition to do busi-
ness In a different way and the warehouse
system will bring about that way, and we are
fast waking up 10 this important foot. We
can't 20 on single handed any longer, mark
eting cotton as II has been done for the last
hundred years. This is a progressive age and
the times demand u change.
I believe We are on the verge OF q revolu-
ton in the agricultu raj world and as soon aa
the formers organize there will dawn the re-
volution. So we might just as we'll get down
to business and do our lart IN this great
movement and prove 10 the skeptical that we
mean business and show that there stil. re-
mains in US q little spark of ambition, and
let US nurture and cultivate that little spark
until II ignites into one grand and glorious
bit 70 that will be seen and felt all over this
broad land and country OF our.
Get IN touch with each other forming q
more adequate union and relative between
ourselves aud restore in a large measure that
confidence that should exist relative TO one
another, and re. owe hencciorth TO make our
farmers more sCIi sustaining and not depend
any longer on tbH "Csi ioI our corn, hour and
bacon, but raise IT and keep that money thai
goes west at home 10 i'm provo our farms and
beautify our hOu.rs, making tal u lie more
attractive So thut u.i 10Y n and girls Will not
waptlo go TO The towns and cities TO find at
fractions.
/ Our farms are being droined of boys too
much. What Is needed Is 10 make the farms
pleasant and profitable so the hogs will not
want TO leave old mother earth to go my
where. What are you doing TO encourge
y our SONS 10 stay on the farms. Do you allow
hem q portion Of land 10 plant and cult vate
as tney choose and 10 handle the psoceeds as.
Lney want to. Oh! l am afraid not. En-
courage them TO take more interest In The
farms by allowing them their patch, calves,
pigs, ETC., ard you will be surp' ised TO see
,ssurc } ou he will MT want tn go To town II
;ou VIII mako the home LITTLE more uttrac-
tive and pleasant for him.. w. l.. Kennedy.