Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-01-30

President Geo. Il. Hightower Of the
Farmers' Union gives out the follow
ing timely address to the members of
Mississippi. Il Is we'll worthy OF con-
sideration and IL il TO be hoped that
those interested will heed his words of
counsel:
During the two years Just passed We
have witnessed the greatest consump-
ton OF cotton ever known in the his
tory OF the cotton trade. This unusual
activity In the trade IL the resul, of
two influences: The extension Of cot
ton consumption in all the Oriental
countries l. the first but least impor-
tsnt OF these influences. The second
and most important influence has been
the unprecedented activity OF trade in
all lines, caused by what appeared TO
be very prosperous cOudi.ion OF all
classes, but what really war an over
amount of confidence which permitted
an unusual amount OF speculation. The
former condition will continue to exist
and will give an cutie; for large
quantity Of cotton. but by no mean. so
great a volume a, was the case during
the past two years, for the reason that
the reaction in trade relations will
affect the export of cotton to the Orient
manufacturing countries. The second
influence will be entirely reversed dur
Ing the next year or two. in fact has
already been reversed. Where We had
confidence. We nov have lack OF con-
fidence. Where We had credit, we now
have 10 buy for cash. Where We had
orders for cottou goods, we now have
those orders countermAnded. Where
We saw every one buy an ovcr-supply
OF cotton goods. ne nov see them buy
a seant half supply.
These conditions will inevitably re-
duce the consumption OF cotton. and
the Ouly way TO meet this reduced
consumption and hold our ad-
vanced position on the price. is to re-
duce the production Are our people
going to arise TO the emergencyg The
individual may think his neighbor will
grow less cotton, and II will make no
difercnce whether he plants much or
little, but in this he i mistaken a
large cotton crop means low price for
IL, and at tho SANE time means high
priced meat, corn. hay. etc. The only
reasonable and safe course for any in
dividuAl is TO grow more grain. meat,
hay, vegetables. etc. making himself
independent regardless of what his
nsighbor may do. Every condition
poln,s 10 large cotton crop for fsas
and consequently lower prices. AMI the
individual who has the forvsigh, Ia
recognize this fact asd put at least
formerly planted IN cotton 20 such CROPS
A. he can Consume AZ home. or sell in
his lOcal market, vii Re irdependest.
The farmers have Won the tghi for bet
ter prices for the crop Of last year.
Cotton would BE- selling today for eight
ceuts instead ef twelve cents we're it
Dot for orr organized effort. Only oue
thing can keep ~ from getting fifteen
cent for the remainder % this crop and
that one thing i tha, W may get i'm
patient and sell too quickly. Let Us
hold drm for fifteen cents and get the
fruits Of the victory already Won. Not
withstandiug this victory, We should
use common Judgment aud common
sense and recognize the coalition con-
fronting us for the next two years and
reduce production b. growing every
other crop necessary TO make the South
Absolutely s.lf-sustaining