The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-12
FARMERS NEED CAUTION.
President Barrett Tells the Farmers
Of the Kind Of Caution They Need.
To Officials and Members of the
IIninn.

10 OWclalS ana Members of the
Union:
Caution. Just an ordinary, every
day word, but one fraught with deep
and far-reaching Importance.
1t is the one thing farmers lack
above all other qualities. Caution they
have in plenty in certain directions,
but usually not in the direction it
should be applied
They are Over-cautiOus about hon
estly accepting plans and organiza-
tions within their own ranks, calling
for cooperation, mutual aid and self
Sacrifices. I know, of course, it IL
due in measure to the fact that the
farmer has been deceived and fooled
so much in the past that his bump of
caution has become abnOrmally de-
teloped
But, on the other hand, the wOrdy,
windy, promising politician seems able
to wipe out this bump o; caution every
election day. Fooled time and time
again by broad promises before the
election, only to be forgotten and ig-
nored after the election, yet the farm
er's caution bump fails to show when
the same deceiving. selfish politician
comes forward again and with the
same old empty promises arouses his
enthusiasm to high pitch, to such a
nigh pitch that he throws caution, the
absolute knowledge that he is deal
ing with a rascal, to the winds and
votes once more for the idle promiser.
Now, as ] stated, farmers are slow
to accept and take hold Of movements
within their own ranks for self-ad-
vancement, because they have been
fooled I'm the past. Why the same
theory don't work with them as re-
CARDS this scheming politician Is some
thing too profound for my unraveling
But the truth of it is too we'll known
for argument.
| That old designing, crafty politician
is mighty humble, mighty cordial
eager to promise anything asked when
before you seeking your vote. But
just see him in Washington, as I have.
There he laughs at your gullibility;
sneers at your cOnfidnce in his prom
ises; openly flaunts you and your
cause.
You are waking up a bit along that
line, III confess. but only after con-
slant hammering on you. Some men
who have stood in places of power for
years and sneered at you and your
needs have felt your righteous wrath
and gone into the oblivion they have
long merited.
| But others remain. Many of them
are going to come as humble suppli-
cants for your suffrage next year.
They wear the outward garb and sem
blance of real and true friends to you
and your cause. They are oily,
shrewd, plausible. Every artifce of
the designing self-seeker will be used
on you again.
| VIII you stand for him? Will you
let that sort fool you yet again? Oh,
my credulous brother, wake up, wake
up! Put on your thinking cap, read,
study the public career Of the man
seeking your franchise. Know, don't
guess. that he is your real friend and
that he Will do all In his power hon
estly to make good on his promises
to you.
/ Do this and you will get true
friends in the high places. You will
get legislation long denied you. be-
cause you haven't had some one TO
press your cause like the trusts and
corporations have had.
! Come out of your sleep, brother
Quit letting them fool you.
c. 5. Barrett.
Union City, Ga, July 8, 1913.