The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-18
Speech Of Hon. ]. G. Richards.

Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
This ia the first time that / have had the
pleasure and honor Of addressing an audience
S Spans sean 9y on one A PsSglHl or the PROUD Ano
The distinguished part that your people
have played. both In peace and war IN snap
ing the destiny and making the history OF
our greatState, Is a full, a !rich legacy tnat
children.
AbbeYille icounty has produced her full
the impeIisbable record OF her people. Makes
one Of tho brightest pages OF our states histc-
iam delighted to come among your people,
for l knowthem by reputation, and IT. Is u
privilege and a pleasure TO meet and know
them personally.
MT. Chairman, and brother farmers the &C.
casion OF cur meeting together Today, is one
that is 1raught with grave consequences ano
responsibilities, not only 10 the m pres
emf and of this county, but 10 those VINO are
eng Di1,e IN ss sgfleo Wbile ps Te have enr mel here
for friendly greetings ard social intercourse;
we are also here as business men 10 discuss
conditions in South Carolina especially as
they pertain 10 agriculture and more gener.
ally as they affect the varied and entire in
terests Of The State
My friends We have but to review the pages
OF history made by the State during the past
fifteen years 10 observe the vast, the phenom-
inal progress that has been made by our pee
pie In nearly very field OF endeaVor.
In q cen mercial and Industrial way, We
have made greater pIoeress thsn any State
South Of Matons ard Dixon's line, and have
lead the world in the construction and de-
velopment OF manufacturing plants.
SC crest, so Iapid bss been the advance
ment made by our people, along these lines,
tbstlhe whole county Is looking on In as
constituent and admiration .
While The sc records are true ard are most
gratifying end are eppIces OF great pride 10
our people. South Cardinals greatest inter
est, tha, IN whieh mes. OF her p. opie are e1-
emit Tor her strength ard property is Ian
gushing 10 q great degree, and is not keep
Ing pace with, and in the great and rapid
msIeh Of pIeeIess that j. ne,pg made IL =
an agricultural stste, hes alW eys been, al
will continue 10 be II The States best interest
al 10 be subseveed, and those who are our
farmers OF tCCey meatUre Up 10 The true
standard Of u al bCtd aDo int lligtpce, that
1s required and expected Of 1btm. The 1acl
cor not be questioned, MIR. obhl1msn, that
the puIest, hsppiekt aid mCst Independent
lives ale lived upon the lain: upon The lain
where Thrift, INDUSTRY ard intelligence pre-
vail. II cannot be questioned that The 1sl-
mers avocaticp is one OF the most honorable,
enoblipg and impo,tsnt OF all the avccatiops
Of lie. In the aGmin;strstloDs Of Ills dsily
affairs, The faimer is raturslly drawn INTO
closer com muDitn n, c'oter sssCciation With
natures God, the God OF The Universe thar
mort Of his brothers OF the other great calling
OF life, and this altn ne tEcuId scd TT ficiept
honor ar d dignity 10 the position TO make II
Il SbeHh eihNss ~
great mission 10 feeo and to cloihe
the people OF the world. Upon hik shoulders
rests the responsibility for The greatness arc
the prosperity OF his country. Raw material
10 the basis OF all wealth and 1t is Upcn The
production otrsw material, that laxaIicn End
the burdens Of government rest most heavily,
The farmer and farm PRODUCTS Of raw ma
terial are the very foundation stones upon
which must rest and depend for It's very eX-
istepce cur greet and grand commercial and
industrial SUI erstIuciUre. Crush and shat
ter The foundation stones, spd be The super
strpctur ever 70 gr6Ld, the whole must toIple
and fall. Crush the iaI m the produce o.
the basis OF wealth stitt1e bis Emb1liops. ard
paraliZe his energies and every other aksocla-
ton aust suffer corresponding diesst'r.
These are no idle vampings, or statements
unsus,sined by facts, MIR. Chairman, but are
well established economic principles that are
as fixed end Immu,able as The laws OF CRAWL
tation. MIR. Chsiiman and gentlemen, the
faImer pDGer MOI NAL copditiors should live
the hsppiest and most independent OF lives.
His ayocation Is lmost honorable and enobl.