The new South-news., 1908-04-04

equally true ,ha, she man who ear
ries his commodities and does not
borrow money rs specializing; in fast
the farmer is specializing from the
time he puts the seed in the soil until
he tnrns his product into money. He
is specnIatlng against weather, sea-
sons. trade conditions. etc, and when
by hrs own act he permits trade con
ditions, etc, to exist Tia, operate TO
his detris~ent he specula,es very un-
wisely.
Il am glad to note tina, you are
interested in the welfare aud pros.
peri,y Of the agriculsurisis, and that
you think they are due more support
and sympathy than any other class.
| am sorry to say, however. that they
do no, generally get tina, support and
sympathy from men engaged in othc,
avocaiions. They produce the wealth
of The country. They feed and clo,hc
the world and yet in their present
struggle for self-prescrvaiion almost
every business man in the South has
predicted that cotton would 60 TO
eight cents per pound thus discour-
aging the farmer and encouraging
those who would prey upon him. The
Southern farmer during the last few
months have wsgcd the most unequal
struggle known to man. They have
fought the world in their efforts to
secure just compensation for their
toll. and have had arrsyed against
them tho majority Of the business peo
pie Of their own section. II is my
candid opinion that il every business
man in the South during the last four
months had encouraged the farmer to
hold the position he has taken. and
said to the balance Of te world that
yop must pay a legitimate price for
the cotton Of the South before you
can have it. we would see very iif-
fercnt conditions in the cotton trade.
The world gets its impression Of the
South from the conduct and utter
ances Of the business people of the
South.
"The impression during the last
season has been that the farmers
would not hold their cotton but would
he caused to bolt and sell their pro-
duct for eight cents per pound. Late
last fall when the crisis caused by the
approach Of settling time was con-
| frontei, the msrket was rsidcd in mn
effort to put the price Of cotton to
eight cents. The farmer refused to
take that price, and cotton began
steadily to advance and in February
ii reached IL IA cents in the local
markets. Now we are confronted
with another crisis. Planting sesson
has come, farmers owe money, they
must have mules, corn and other sup
plies. Many Of them have to have
credit. We see now another raid OF
the market trying to force the price
down to eight cents. This is a very
great strain on our people and they
deserves unstinted praise for their
sacrifice and self-dcnial in an effort
to protect their homes. II they could
be driven from their position now it
would not only mean the loss they
would xntain on the cotton they have
on hand, but it would mean a loss
Of not less than three cent per
pound on the whole Of the next crop
They will not surrender. Cotton will
advance Again.
81 thank yon for your kind express
Eons Of good will and friendship
| for the agricultural class, and trust
you and your class may in the fu-
ture not only make thnse kind express
sions, but that you may cooperate 10
this movement for the welfare ard
the r,-buildin2 Of our beloved South
| land Z remain -