Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-06-30
Beginning in the Snnth-

petitorS one with the other-sell, sell
rent liens and crop mortgages all
pressing and showing the weak and
the helpless. The laws of any coun-
try which permit such destruction of
value are unjust and unworthy
Christian people. | would not see
our farmers organize piratical trust
or a predatory combination, but | do
say that, as all seem agreed, that the
trust is the devil of modern COM
mcrce, that the best way to fight the
devil is with fire. ] do advocate a
self-defense trust with our State gov
ernments behind it. We have tried
every other plan to secure a fair re-
turn for our products and interest on
our investments, and we are less than
men, ana deserve the sting of power
ty, if we do not assert ourselves in
defense of our rights. Our whole
scheme of national government for
fifty years has revolvel around pro-
lection by the government to certain
classes and individuals. Tariff, money
and transportation are the founda-
ton Of commercial life. The tariff
laws under which we live-one of
them the Dingley Act, in it's very
title, IAN Act to encourage and to
protect American industries" Where
does the farmer get anything out of
this? He is compelled to buy in the
home market all that he con-
sumes, and he sells in the open mar
ket of the world. What does he get
ou. Of the money monopoly that has
existed under the National Banking
Act since 1868, except the privilege
OF paying high interest rates? What
has he got except high freight rates
from the railroads built out of the
profits of selling the public lands,
really costing the original builders
nothing? The products of the farm
must pay dividends on the watercd
stock and Over-production! Certain
ileges is the foundation of every
great, swollen fortune in this coun-
try. The tanner has contributed
every time he bought plow, hoe or
trace chain. These great trusts fix
the price Of every single thing that is
bought on the farm Is the farmer
to have no voice in pricing what he
sells? Our monopoly, however, does
not depend on special legislation.
COD gave it TO us. He safeguarded
its possession by climate and by soil.
Let the Legislatures of every cotton
State follow the lead Of South Caro-
lima and say to the balance OF the
world that from now henceforth and
forever we, too, intend to have a
monopoly price for monopoly pro-
duct. Place ourselves in a position
to make this no idle threat, and the
victory is won.
What chance have unorganized
millions, scattered over thirteen
States, in a contest with expert finan-
cial strategy, backed by unlimited
capital? What the people cannot do
for themselves individually is Within
the province and the duty Of the gov
ernment to do for them. The gov
ernment helps the citizen to help
himself. This is no socialism,; it is
patriotism. l care not whether you
call it paternalism or not. Better
paternalism than agricultural impov-
erlShment. Better that cotton
should wear the crown Of a king than
the shackles of a slave. Shall we
have the courage to strike one brave
blow for a righteous system Of polti-
cal economy, or shall the South con-
tinue to cringe and cover to an ever
invading money tyrant? Our lands
are an unwieldy, impossible sort of
security, but the product of our land
-cotton-is always convertible into
gold at a moments notice. The rem
edy is to transform cotton into a ne
gotiable security. The State ware
house certificates are an idea' form
OF credit, and when they come into
general use they will impart an arti-
fetal value to every acre Of cotton
land and make the South rich in the
next twenty-five years beyond our
widest dream.
Contraction of Crodits Nnt n,a,,
production.
We ask no favor OF the govern
ment except free field and a fair
fight. We expect nothing except
what we earn by honest toll. but we
do deny thn RIGHT Of nnu nlnr. Ia ,,no