The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-26
Graham Church Meeting.

q.
The community meeting at Gra-
ham Church. Concord township. FRI
day night was small In numbers, but
nevertheless Interesting, and probably
laid the foundation for future good
work along the lines laid down by the
National and State Councils of De-
Tense. The County Council of De-
Tense was represented by Messrs. j.
Frank Williams. p. G. Bowman and
DIR. G.. p. Osteen, who made brief
talks. as did Rev. Mr.. Triplett, pastor
Of Graham church.
Mr.. Williams outlined the plans and
objects of the Council Of Defense and
called attention to the necessity of all
the people working in harmony with
his organization to strengthen and
fortify the country during the war
md to put it on basis to survive the
reaction that will certainly follow tn,
close of the war when every line
industry must undergo a complete re-
adjustment. He discussed agricul-
.ural methods and gave reasons why
aversification must be practiced by al,
farmers to the end that this section
''f the country may be not only self.
sustaining but contribute food for the
mpport OF our allies in Europe. He
explained the approved methods o
rowing wheat and oats and urged
; hat each farm have at least one acre
OF wheat to the plow. He also stated
hat 1t was important that this sec
ton raise bigger hogs IL a market j.
% be secured for them at top prices
Che markets demand hogs weighing
lot less than two hundred pounds
md this county raises few hogs o.
hat size. With the abundant COL.
md velvet bean crop this year Sum
ter county was now in q position t,
eed the hogs and make them groa
bigger. He also discussed good roads
md their relation to successful ana
profitable farming.
d DR.. Osteen talked of boil weevil anc
What would follow its appearance IL.
his State within the next three
our years. He advised that tn,
= 'armers begin now to prepare 70
he revolutionary changes in farmin
Methods that the appearance OF tn
veevil would render imperative, all.
suggested that in live stock, especial
y dairyins. would be found the surcs
method Of combating the weevil an,
guaranteeing a profit from farmin
Under boil weevil conditions.
Mr.. Triplett expressed regret tha,
he meeting was not more largely at
tended and explained that Friday
night was the time that all the farm.
srs of the neighborhood settled with
their hands for the weeks cotto.
picking and that consequently few
them could leave home to attend tn,
meeting. He heartily endorsed thu
campaign that the Council of Defcns.
s. making and pledged his cooperation
and that Of the community. In refer.
ence to the war he said that he was
opposed to war on principle, but whc,
the occasion arises that people mus'
light In defence Of their homes and
their ideals of civilization and re
igion then he was heart and soul in
avor of lighting a good fight FL,
'ould be readN to do his part wher.
'ver his country needed, whether il
% on tho battlefield or on the farm
Ie said that he could not see how an,
\merican who had an intelligent ap.
,reciation Of the blessings Of a free
ountry could fail to render the vi.
most loyalty and the fullest service
he government in this time of strcs
md trial.
Mr.. Bowman spoke of the causes o
the war and the issues that are Il,
stake. He traced the development 0,
he German autocracy. based upon
me doctrine or blood and iron
which disregards the rights of othp
nations and the rights of individual
He told of the attempt in 1870 to &c
story France, and how when that pio.
allied. the Germans had lahored
through the years to build up II wa
machine that would not only destro.
France but conquer the world Th
Germans planned not only the over
throw of the British empire but they
had their greedy eyes upon the riches
OF the United States and all South
America which they planned to con-
quer and use for thcir own PURPOSES.
At Is for this reason that America