The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-02
HOLD COTTON SAYS BARRETT,
HEAD OF NATIONAL FARMERS
UNION WIRES T.. w. .DABBS.
Address Issued Asking All Interested
tO Cooperate In WOrk--liandle the
Crop Carefully.

from G. S. Barrett, president of the
National Farmers Union, the bears
are making an effort to break the
cotton market. The telegram was re-
ceived by E. w. Dabbs, president Of
the State Union, and was signed by
President Barrett Of the national
union and the secretary, E. c. Davis.
1t reads as follows:
Committee just returned from
North found desperate efforts by
bears and spinners to break cotton
market. II farmers can be induced
20 hold, financial assistance is ready.
Get your forces ready to print and
mail out circulars, copy Of which
follows by mail. National union pays
expense"
Arrangements will be made at
once to send out these circulars.
Yesterday ]. Whitner Reid. secre.
tary Of the State Union. issued the
hOiAOWiiS " tIiS press.
ITO all Southerners, farmers, mer-
chants, bankers, mill men and all
business men interested in the indus
trial development Of the South, this
paper is addressed in the hope that
it will arouse you to concerted ac.
ton in the proper marketing of the
South's great staple. Within the
ranks Of the farmers proper a move
ment has been begun and will be
perfected further. But since all
Southern interests are concerned, It ~
contemplated to join all in a greater
effort in this regard.
I'm comforting upon the problems
and the advantages of the South
there is no more vital question for
our consideration than that Of the
disposition Of her one great crop
cotton. The words South and cot
ton are inseparable to such a degree
that they are wellnigh synonymous
the one a great country, the other
the worlds greatest clothing product,
Kind nature has given us a monopoly;
how natural for the nations Of the
earth to turn to ue to be clothed! !!
Nor do they look In vain. Bare hill
sides that were once plowed into gull
lies blythe wet weather streams now
bear a green coat, terraces preserve
their fertility, woods are cleared,
swamps are drained, all to make way
for the plow. How wonderfully has
cotton culture raised the calling Of
the farmer! How rapid has been his
transformation! No more is he jeer-
ed at. He is the pet Of the South,
his interests are guarded, his home
is frightened. his children are edu-
Gated. his vocation is made science
His ranks are recruited with the
flower Of Southern manhood, scien-
lists, students. men Of talent, am
bitiOn. equipment Why? Because
he heolds within his hand a world in
terest: he is the planter and pro-
ducer Of cotton; and yet little thought
or help Is given in the marketing Of
his crop.
How carefully, then. should the
crop be handled. how minutely the
acreage prOpOrtiOned. how closely the
market watched. how carefully sup
piled? The question demands united
effort; union not only Of the ef-
forts of the farmers, but Of the mer-
chants and bankers and mill men as
we'll. for the fortune Of all is founded
upon and with 1t all are closely con-
cerned. Our fortunes, our happi-
ness, our interests are all promoted
by this industry. We should all move
together and stand with firmness, but
only after mature deliberation. II our
position Is uncertain, 80 will the mar
ket be; If our purpose is shifting. SO
its results. And when We move we
should move intelligently. with all the
possible information at hand. The
fixing Of price involves an accurate
estimate Of the crop. and that is al
ways involved in more or less uncer-
tainty until the crop is nearer ma
turity. And at this point We can not
exaggerate the canger Of attempting
an estimate at too early date. Ma
ture moves In a mysterious way. She
may marshal a hundred forces to tear
down or materially effect that which
she has built up.
"a field that is smiling this month
might suffer and wilt the next. And
why need we hurry In stating figures :?
The crop is in our hands, and 1t is
our safest asset. Our banker friends
VIII loan uS money on 1t, and we
should want no better security. To