The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-18
Detailed Account of
First Days Proceedings

this convention will be the most notable
in the history of your great organiza-
ton.
1T is our purpose to receive and en-
tertain you with old-time southern hos
ptality. Already you have had some in
TINA tion of this in the universal and
varied expression of that homely, but
distinctly southern word of greeting
"Howdy." But / assure you that the
longer you stay with us and the further
you travel into this splendid county of
ours-most of which will be Greater Bir
mingham some day-the more you will
be convinced of our affection for you
and of our earnest desire to make you
feel truly at home.
Gentlemen of the convention, in the
name of the city of Birmingham and
the county of Jefferson, l bid you well
comet"
Seymour Is introduced.
w. Fl. Seymour, president of the Ala
bama State division was introduced and
delivered an address Of welcome on the
part of the people of the STATE
President Seymour said in part: Gala
bama has had the pleasure of entertain
ing many important conventions in the
past but never before has 1t had the OPP
portuity of entertaining within its
bounds a gathering of more Importance
than this now assembled in Birmingham.
mo other convention has promised
more of value to the people of the south
ern states. 1t affords the people of Ala
bama special pleasure to entertain the
members of the Southern Cotton associ-
alton. The association is made up of
men who have the best interests of the
community at heart and are engaged in
the most important cause that has ever
come to the attention of the people OF
this section; that of self preservation.
ftrTbfc I, of intellect and
the best from the cotton belt is an en-
couragement to the people of the south.
Will Bring Good Results.
'The cooperation of the cotton pro-
ducer as it is promulgated in the South
ern Cotton association. will certainly
bring good results to the south. 1t has
already accomplished much good, but the
work Is just now really begun. We
must not falter in the great work so ad-
mirablY begun and which has been re-
warded with such encouraging success.
1T Is well that We turn much attention
to the Improvement of the agricultural
interests of our own country Agricul-
ture is the hest index to the progress of
any country. al nations that have been
great and powerful in all ages of the
world have attained high standards of
agricultural development.
History bears me out in the statement
that most of the great men of all pow
erful nations turned a great deal of their
attention to agriculture 1t is the most
honorable avocation in the world and ha s
always been so since civilization began
while we are looking to the improve
ment of agricultural standards. we must
pay special attention to the advantages
in the marketing of our products. This
is one of the most important questions
before the convention. It is a cause that
must be fought out with courage and
perseverance.
There is no better index to a mans
loyalty TO the best interests In the south
than his membership in the Southern
Cotton association"
M. L. johnson Speaks.
NJ L. Johnson, president of the Geor-
gia state division. was introduced and re-