The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-08
STAND FIRM IS
ADVICE TO FARMERS
STIRRING ADDRESS BY FAR
7|ERS COUNTY UNION.
Urged as Matter Of Principle to De-
maud Minimum Of Fifteen
Cents.
To the Farmers Union Members Of

4o Tue I d1meLS O1IlOu AoLAUoAS VI
Newbt~ ~ry County,.
At the recent meeting Of the Coun.
ty Farmers Union the following was
unanimously adopted:
Whereas tine October condition re-
ports upon the cotton crop issued by
the government, the unprecedented
falling off in the ginners' reports, and
all information received from ali
sources Of the probable yield and the
extraordinary demand for the staple
by the mills, the elamorous cry fol-
cotton. goods from every land and
country and the isles Of the sea, have
strengthened and justified the posi-
ton taken by the National Farmers
Educational and Cooperative Union
at its late meeting in Little Rock,
Arkansas, therefore, resolved, That
we urge with all the emphasis in our
power upon the enter membership
of the Farmers Union in this county
and throughout the state and the
Southern states not to sell any cot
ton below the minimum price Of ff-
teen cents the pound; that those mem
bers who grow upland long staple cot
ton are equally bound by this action
so far as it affects the minimum price
fixed for this grade of cotton; that
we have a right to expect absolute
loyalty to this decision Of the Nation
al Union, and We positively look with
shame and dsfavor upon any disloyal-
ty.
Your officers appointed to issue a
statement to our membership can add
but little to the forcefulness Of the
above declarations Of our county UB-
ion. We will say, however, that now
is the testing time with the Southern
white farmer. It is a question Of the
cotton producer, the real king and
master Of the whole situation, if he
chooses to exercise his rights and
mairtain MS privileges, on the one
hand; and the exchange manipuia-
tors with their coterie Of henchmen
and abettors scattered like foul spots
on the map of our great Southland,
on the other. Who win win7 Will
the sons Of the noble heroes Of 81
'65. who fought and thousands laid
down their priceless lives upon the
altar Of their country as willing and
heroic martyrs and sacrifices for the
sal a glorious principle prove
unworthy Of their heritage! We be-
ieve not! Be true to your colors, ye
patriots Of the soil and be free men! !!
Will you listen to the siren songs
of the cotton gambler as he tries to
lun manhood and vigilance to sleep
and Indifference and fright by his
bewitching but false notes of over
production. bumper crop and similar
lies, hot from hell itself, or will you
listen to your fellow workmen and
friends who have only your best and
dearest interests at heart? Are there
any that will continue to bow the
knee to Baal? Shall one be raised
from the dead that you may heed?
The time for action Is at hand.
With a grim determination born of
eeaseless toll and worry and expense,
let us demand our rights, enforce our
demands by refusing to put a single
bale of cotton on the market below
the minimum price and teach the fin
ancial busawhackers a lesson they
will not forget for all time to come,
that principle is living, burning rea-
lity with US and that manhood and
patriotic courage and Southern chiv-
airy and honor have not fled from the
breasts Of Southern manhood. Stand
to your guns, ye patriots Of the soil!
ye heroes Of the plow! We kings Of the
earth!
There is no need to waste time IN
arguing this or that about the price.
It is largely a question Of principle,
Of honor, Of fidelity. The mill men,
north, east, south and west, say cot
ton is worth Is cents the pound, and
hundreds Of these have sold their
products ahead for six to twelve
-oor4hc ON hacis nf X cents and