The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-09-18
Governor Cooper Addresses Ameri-
can Cotton Association

Columbia, Sept. 15-A stirring ap-
peal to the people of South Carolina
to support the American Cotton AS
isociation was made by Governor Robt.
A. Cooper in an address Thursday
lailernoon at Winnsboro. at which the
permanent organization of the Wins
Iboro branch of the, South Carolina
Cotton Association, was perfected. Adj
dresses we're also delivered at the
meeting BY Francis H. Weston, of
Columbia, United States District At
Itorney for the eastern district of
South Carolina, and B. F. Mcleod, Of
Charleston, state manager.
Governor Cooper in his speech urg-
ed that as the American Cotton Asso-
citation was going to prove of benefit
to everybody in the South all should
support it. He declared that il the
people entered into the organization
with the right spirit it would {
ceed.
"The thing about the American
Cotton Association that especially ap-
peals to me-" said the governor. lis
Tits educational value. I am not pre-
pared to say that the association will
eceed. That depends upon the sup
port given it by the South and that
support must be unselfish.
IF the farmers and business and
professional men are entering this
Organization with the view simply of
increasing bank deposits, then it will
not succeed and ought not to sue
ceed. Wealth improperly used Is
curse rather than benefit. But IL
the purpose is to increase not only
the prosperity of the country, but to
add to the happiness of the people,,
and if We enter the organization with
this in view, we will succeed.
1.-The producer of wealth is entitled
as matter of right to a reasonable
share in the profits made from the
product of his labor and in order to
get this. he must first be informed
not only os to the cost of production,
but also as to the cost of governing
the raw material into the finished
product. Without this knowledge he
will always be a disadvantage in
offering the product of his labor On
the market. To fix price too high
lis just as great mistake as to sub
init to a price that is too low.
"The American Cotton Association
undertakes to organize all the in
terests of the Southern States. We
have learned that our interests are
Identical. The farmers prosperity
means increased trade for the nner-
lchant, increased business for the
banker and better fees for the profess
sional man.
1.-The advantages of organization
have been So often demonstrated. that
no argument is necessary. want to
see the day in South Carolina when
our people shall be not only organ
lied, but organized for a very defi-
mite purpose; that is to increase the
happiness of all the people; to inn
prove their standards of living; to
make their home life more attrac-
tive. With this purpose We have an
incentive to 60 forward.
= "The present world wide unrest
is due in the final analysis to ignor-
ance It is due to the fact that the
average man has been circumscribed
and handicapped. He has not had an
opportunity for self expression.
would like to see this State prosper
materially, but l can not look to the
future with confidence unless our ma
terial prosperity contributes TO our
happiness and gives US higher s
ard of morals and Christianity"
Concluding the governor said:
1.-The question now is: What will be
your attitude towards this organiza-.
ton? Will you stand aside and allow
your neighbor to join and carry your
part of the burden? Several years
ago in a town in Upper South Caro-
lima an Italian came in early one
morning with black bear. A small
crowd gathered around him and he
proposed to have the bear climb a
tree provided the crowd would con-
tribute a small sum of money. Some
one in the crowd volunteered to
take the collection. One gentleman
when approached replied, I am not
going to contribute but ii that bear
lclimbs the tree l will see him." If he
really wanted the bear to climb the
tree he should have paid his part of
the fee. If the American Cotton AS
sociation is going to be OF benefit to
the South each person who is going
to benefit by it should be willing 10
pay his part of the fee."
Mr.. Weston pointed out the' need
of the association, of its possibilities
and stressed the necessity of the peo-
pie lining up trongly behind it, ii 1t
is to succeed.
Mr.. Mcleod outlined the. plans and
purposes of the American Cotton AS
sociation of which the South Carolina
Association is to be an integral part
The necessity for quiet action on the
part of the farmers, business and pro
lfessional men was also stressed.
PLANS have been worked out for
taking care of distress cotton" said
Mr.. Mcleod, but they can not be
fully matured and put into operation
A. 10