The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-02

| idlI, IL tney come early, Will prevent
the opening Of large part of the
| crop.
| In view Of all these possibilities
common sense will tell us that il is
| nothing short Of folly to base an es-
innate upon data that must be very
uncertain; and the following Of which
might prove disastrous. Aside from
the loss in money that might result
from too hasty action we can not es-
innate the loss that would result to
the cause Of the farmers. II after talk
ing stand We fail to hold 1t. The
movement for concerted action on the
part Of all SOutherners interested in
the cotton crop advances slowly be-
cause In the great stretch Of country
that 1t covers there is such a diver
sity OF interest. A change Of poicy
that would suit our section might
bring calamity to another. We should
wait, therefore. until such time
when there can be no possibility Of a
great mistake in the estimate Of the
crop. Basing our figures then on a
sure estimate We should count on the
support Of all Southerners.
And if when We are reay 70 mar
ket, consumers are reluctant to pur-
chase, we need fear no disaster. Hav-
Ing arrived at a fair estimate of the
crop We may easily retire a percent
age OF it. leaving available only so
much as will supply the market at a
fair price to ourselves. If we are to
produce 100000 bales, let us re-
tire 100000 bales and stand firmly
by this fixed pledge.
With all the attention given to
the raising Of cotton the industry Is
but partially developed. A crop
must not only be economically and
efficiently produced. but it must be
wisely marketed. Heretofore, all our
attention has been given to the
scant care upon the disposition Of
the crop. As much energy lag great
labor. as fine business Judgment is
needed In the marketing as in the
raising OF cotton. AS the growing is
a science, so ought the marketing to
be a system. With united effort we
can place Southern cotton in every
market in the world. we can all join
in memorializing our congressman
to aid us in finding new markets for
the staple, in opening all the ports
OF the world to Southern cotton.
There is no possibility that the pro-
duct Of the South can food the
world market
THE foregoing facts having en-
phasized the deep concern that all
interests have In the great crop Of
the South and in the proper market
| Ing OF tho same, let us call upon
all to aid us in strengthening the
markets. Not alone the market for
the raw material but for the finished
product Of the mills. We are all
farmers in that we deal with the pro-
duct Of the farm. The interests Of
the South are common to all South
erners whether bankers, merchants,
mill men or farmers.
THE history Of the South should
bring us a lesson on the value Of
Anited effort Through many revolu-
tions, commercial and otherwise. she
has passed and has been able to
withstand them only by united effort
When the armies Of the nation
were arrayed against her in the six
ties confederation was all that saw
ed her from complete annihiliation.
When she lay at the mercy OF un-
scrupulous men during the period Of
Reconstruction all rallied to free her
from the curse OF the false govern.
ment. As in war 80 in business,
events Of the last 20 years seem to
argue against her prosperity. Having
by united effort overcome reverses
her industrial development has been
wonderful. And yet when the one
great crop in which all interests GEN.
tire seems a success something con-
spires to cut the price to decrease its
market value. The profitable mar
keting OF cotton demands O union Of
forces as real as that Of the sixties
and seventies, a constant steady pull
for the industrial freedom OF the
South. Without the martial spirit Of
the sixties but with the same loyal
devotion to Southern interests, let
us rally to her support IL this her
day Of opportunity. AS we have
| been brothers In all movamapts Gov