The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-02-01
BIZ u. e. BLAKEsLEE. JACKSON.

President Geo. r. Hightower of the
Farmers Union gives out the follow
ing timely address to the members Of
Mississippi. 1t is well worthy of con-
sideration and it is 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 eve known in the his
tory OF the cotton trade. This unusual
activity in the trade is the result of
two influences: The extension of cot
ton consumption in all the Oriental
countries is the first but least impor-
tant 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 a very prosperous condition OF all
classes, but what really was an over
amount OF confidence which permitted
an unusual amount of speculation. The
former condition will continue to exist
and will give an outlet for q large
quantity of cotton, but by no means SO
great a volume as 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
as well as to the distinctive cotton
manufacturing countries. The second
influence will be entirely reversed dur
ing the e X year or two, in fact has
already been reversed. Where we had
confidence, we now have a lack of con-
idence. Where we had credit, we now
have to buy for cash. Where we had
orders for cotton goods, we now have
those orders countermanded. Where
we saw every n buy an over-supply
OF cotton goods, w now see them buy
q scant half supply.
"These conditions will inevitably re-
duce the consumption of cotton, and
the only way to meet this reduced
consumption and hold our adj
vanced position On the price, is to re-
duce the production. Are our people
going to arise to the emergency? The
individual may think his neighbor will
grow less cotton, and it will make no
difference whether he plants much or
little, but in this he is mistaken. A
large cotton crop a a low price for
it, and at the same 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
.neighbor may do. Every condition
points to a large cotton r for 1908
and consequently lower prices, and the
individual who has the foresight to
recognize this fact and put at least
twenty-five per cent of the acreage
formerly painted in cotton to such crops
as he can co lsume at home, or sell in
his local market, will be independent.
The farmers have won the fight for bet
ter prices for the crop of last year.
would be selling today for eight
instead of twelve cents were it
for our organized effort. Only one
thing can keep us from getting fifteen
for the remainder of this crop and
n thing is that we may get i'm
and sell too quickly. Let us
hold firm for fifteen cents and get the
of the victory already won. Not
withstanding this victory, we should
use common judgment and common
and recognize the condition con-
US for the next two years and
reduce production by growing every
other crop necessary to make the South
absolutely self-sustaining."