The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-04-10
farewell LETTER
TO THE FARMERS OF ORANGE
BURG COUNTY.

Van AhosA' "oiih " VI
st. Matthews, Who Has Served
Them Long and Faithfully.
To the farmers of Orangeburg County:
We hold our regular quarterly
meeting at Court House next Satur-
day at II o'clock a. m. At that
meeting, in accordance with agree
ment reached at our meeting in Jan
uary, retire from the Presidency
of the Orangeburg County Cotton AS
sociation. In Calhoun County as q
private, in the ranks of the great
brotherhood of farmers--that turdy
class which feeds and clothes the
world shall esteem it both a duty
and a privilege to labor for the ad-
vancement of the cause of agriculture
and for the uplift and betterment of
the sons of toll" In swearing allie
glance to the splendid little county of
Calhoun | do SO with confidence and
hope but in seyering my connection
with grand old Orangeburg, confess
to feeling very near akin to one
of regret. For years you have honor
ed me above my deserts. / shall
ever cherish warm affection for the
old county. have earnestly striven
to do some thing for the common
good. We have not accomplished all
we had hoped. Some there are who
say that we have utterly failed, that
we have brought disaster upon the
county. Some there are who revile
the Southern Cotton Association.
They say, IF the Lord will forgive
me, l will quit the association and
never make such big fool of my
self again." These excite my pity.
These men are short sighted. They
have no iron in their blood. They
are not made of the stern stuff of
heroes. These men win no victories.
They would be out of place in Gid
cons band, or in the Light Brigade,
or in Pickett's Division. They are
dead weights.
Washington at Valley Forge. Fran
els, Marion, Sumter and other heroes
of the Revolution took no counsel
with such men.
The dispassionate historian, l be-
lieve will record much to the honor
and glory of the men who compose
the Southern Cotton Association. This
Association has eXerted an educating
influence.
1t has put the farmer to reading
and thinking. 1t has brought about
good fellowship between ulnerent
classes through community OF in
terests. 1t has broadened the hori-
zon of the farmer. 1t has taught him
the value of organization, the danger
of debt and the one crop system. and
it has put millions of money in the
South by the increased price of cotton
due largely to its influence.
One word as to the present situa-
ton. We are passing through times
which try mems souls. A battle royal
is on between the producer and the
spinner.
In this fight the Speculation is at
his old game and is against the pro-
ducer. The baleful influence OF the
panic is still felt. But great good
will come out Of it. We are living
too fast. Most of us were boring
with big augers. Credit was over
done. Now we are more conservative
and are travelling on safe lines.
AS to the price Of cotton. In my
Judgment, but for the panic, we
would have won long ago.
As II is. am hopeful of much
higher prices. There is a shortage
of at least four million bales in the
worlds supply. Money is easier.
The business outlook is better. Eng
land has exported cotton goods to
date equal to her last years sales.
China is calling for our export trade
in cotton.
The mills of the United States,
North and South are admittedly bar
er of stocks at this time than ever IN
their previous history and are run
ming from hand to mouth.
They are hoping and believing that
you will throw up the sponge. You
have made a game fight. YOu have
made your impression OH the cotton
world. Your cause is good one.
You have suffered, but every good
cause calls for suffering and self
denial. Stand to your guns! Sit
steady in the boat: and may victory
crown your efforts!
J. e. Wannamaker,
President Orbg. Cotton Asso.