The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-09-03
MIR. SMALL AT HALIFAX.
A Most Instructive and MaStefful AG.
dress.
BIG BARBECUE AND BRUNSWICK STEW

fax county branch Of t,io South
ern Cotton Association decided
to have II big farmers dinner
at Halifax.
August 18th was the day de-
cided upon, but by reason OF
the county Democratic primar-
les and county convention the
date was changed to August
2Sth.
A large crowd gathered Fri
day at Halifax in pursuance OF
the appointment and but for
the inclement weather there
would have been many more.
Hon. John H. Small, Of
Washington, n. G. had been
invited to deliver an address on
that day. He was present and
delivered a most admirable,
timely and instructive address.
There was not a farmer present
who did not go away with a
higher ideal of his vocation and
with a good impression of the
Importance and the dignity of
a farmers work.
Mr.. Small said in the begin
ming that the farmers of the
land make up the most impor-
tant factor Of our civic life.
He said that if all the other
professions and callings in
Halifax county should be aban-
doned there would not be much
disturbance and that things
would move along in the same
old way; but if the farmers
should cease operations for one
year, everything else would
stop and everybody would have
to seek new fields and sur.
roundings in which to find 6
livelihood.
Some emphasis was laid or
the Importance and necessity
of farmers doing their work
according to modern and i'm.
proved methods instead of op
Grating in the same way their
grandfathers did. The present
age of improvement calls for &
move-up in the agriculture
world as much as in othel
things.
Mr.. Small called attention tC
the proper preparation and con
ditiOn of the soil and laid spe
cial emphasis upon proper
drainage of the soil, showing
that in Eastern North Carolina
nothing is more needed than
broad and liberal drainage OF
the farm lands. The farmers
were urged to take proper view
Of cooperation and interdepend-
ence. The speaker aptly illus.
trated how one man cannot
live unto himself and alone
but that all are dependent upon
each other. The people are de-
pendent upon each other in all
matters of public interest and
only by the cooperation of
means and energy can we have
the best and most desirable
civic life. This was illustrated
in the matter of special taxa.
ton for public schools and pub
lie roads. All these interests
depend upon the cooperation OF
the people, and all must unite
energy and effort and money in
order to get best results for the
greatest number.
Mr.. Small spoke beautifully,
in conclusion, Of the life and
usefulness of a man who can
sometimes forget his own inter
ests for the good of his fellow
man. The selfish man has nc
part or lot in the great work
Of building up his community
and is a hlnderer rather than q
helper.
Mr.. Small spoke pleasantly
and appreciatively of the his
toric county of Halifax, and his
timely and helpful address was
greatly enjoyed by all who
heard him. The Halifax county
people who heard him all con-
graduate the people of the First
Congressional District in hav-
ing such an able and pains.
taking representative to look
after their interest.
At the conclusion Of Mr.