Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1907-07-17
ENTHUSIASTIC
M EET ING.

NaEE y HfNUe
Representative Body of Farmers
Heard Very Able Addresses.
Probably the most profitable
meeting of farmers ever held in
the county was that of W. dnes-
day last President S. T. Williams
called lie meeting to order and
introduced Mr.. F. 81. Hyatt, of
Columbia, who has been Jealous
and persistent advocate of organi-
zation on the part of the farmers
since the agitation began several
years ago.
Mr.. Hyatt is practical busi-
Less man and spoke to the far
mers in busipesslike way. After
giving short history OF the
Southern Cotton Growers Asso-
citation, be spoke of the rapidly
increasing wealth of the south and
of the great Deed that farmers be
educated in order shat they may
promote and protect their own in
terests. He said that be had firmly
received 20 spend a large portion
of his life helping the farmers
free themselves from debt. MOI
only, said he, call their debts be
paid by demanding Is and 20
cents fo- cotton, but the farmers
bones can be supplied with more
comforts, their children can be
better educated, better school
houses and churches erected and
better roads built.
Mr.. Hyatt believes that far
mers can get what their cotton is
worth if they will only stand to-
gether. He urged the cotton grow
ers and business men of this coun-
ty to join forces with the farmers
of the entire cotton belt in order
that they may protect their rights
and interests.
Mr.. Williams next introduced
Mr.. E.. D. Smith who is stete or
ganizer for the Cotton Growers
Association. This gentleman had
not proceeded with his admirable
address very far before his hear
ers marvelled at his eloquence,
his thorough mastery of his SUBJ
iect, and at his brilliant and well
disciplined intellect. His college
training, extensive travelling, care
full study of the condition and
needs of the cotton growers, emil
nently fit Mr.. Smith for the work
in hand, that of arousing the far
mers to the point that they will
exert themselves on their own be-
half.
Mr.. Smiths description of the
south's depleted and impoverished
condition at the close of the Civil
War and his tribute to the hero
ism of the noble mothers and
daughters of Dixie were surpass-
ingly beautiful and pathetic. The
like of which is seldom heard even
on memorial occasions.
Mr.. Smiths explanation of the
cause of the soutb's poverty and
dependence was concise, logical,
convincing. AS remedy for ex-
listing ills, he urged the cotton
growers to assert their independ-
erce and demand what the staple
is worth. This, he said, can be
done by erecting warehouses and
fixing the price instead of letting
the spinners and exporters fix the
price.
The speaker said farmers had
never been successfully organized,
but an organization could be
effected now by reason of changed
conditions. Rapid transportation,
telephone, telegraph and rural
free delivery of mails have brought
the farmers into closer touch, and
thereby thorough organization is
made possible.
Would that space permitted a
detailed report of this splendid
address. Every farmer in the
county should have heard it. In
concluding Mr.. Smith outlined
the warehouse plan of the asso-
citation and urged the farmers of
Edgefeld to provide a warehouse
and store all cotton that on ac-
count of debt would be forced on
the market.
A meeting is called for Satur-
day, August 3rd, at which time
the County Cotton Growers AS
sociation will be re-organized and
the warehouse plan of holding
cotton discussed. Let every far
mer. y oung and old, be al EDGE
field On that day.
Notice to Wheat Growers.