The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-04-03

.ated temperamental storm. Men
we're suing for the possible values OF
their FARMS, impossible values OF
crops. Not alone the companies had
been blanketed with the accusing pa
pers, but against Mexico the white
drifts had piled up. Mexico! No one
knew better than Hardin how absurd
II was to accuse the sister country OF
responsibility. A pretty pickle they
were in! Where was 1t all going to
end?
In the lobby, Hardin ran up against
Brandon, who was following news
scent. Through the valley 1t was being
rumored that subscriptions were to be
asked for the completion Of the work.
II this were the intention, there would
be hot meeting.
: aYou are going on the PLATFORM
assumed the newspaper man. "NoF
Then will you sit with met"
"If you will sit upstairs" scowled
Hardin. II don't want to be dragged
onto the PLATFORM i;ate
Down In the orchestra. Black from
the Wlstaria was haranguing a group
of gesticulating ranchers. Phrases
climbed to the men on the balcony
seats. 'sKeep their pledges. Promise
makers. Let them look at our crops r
'If Marshall expects to coerce
those men. / lose my guess. Then he's
no Judge Of men," cried Hardin.
'Iook at those faces" The floor was
q sea of impassioned features.
Something's going to drop" echoed
Brandon.
From the wings, Babcock's inquisi-
tive glasses were seen to sweep the
house. Hardin could catch the SUM
mons Of an. excited forefnger to the
group unseen. There was minute
of delay. Then Babcock's nervous
toddle carried him onto the stage.
De la Vega followed Babcock.
There was hush of curiosity. The
house did not know who he was. Be
hind him, soIdierly, stiff, stalked Mac
Lean. Marshall's entrance released
the tongues. There was, an interval
of confusion on the stage. Babcock,
like restless terrier, was swapping
at the heels OF the party. AT last,
they were all fussily seated. De La
Vega was given the place of honor.
Marshall, Babcock put on his left
MacLean on the right.
Babcock raised his staccato gavel.
A hush fell on the house. His words
were clipped and sharp.
''You have left your plowing TO come
here. You are anxious to hear what
we have to say to you. You cannot
afford to be Indifferent 10 it. You ac-
knowledge, by your presence. a de-
pendence, correlation which ycI
would like to deny. Irrigation means
cooperation, suffering together, strug.
Cling together succeeding together.
You prefer the old individual way,
each man for himself. l tell you 1t
won't do. You belong In other coun-
tries, the countries of old-fashioned
rain. You wants ito hear what we have
to say to you, the company who saved
the valley, the company you are suing.
But you have also suits against Mex.
leo. There is a gentleman here who
has message from Mexico about
those suits. I have the honor, gentle
men, to introduce, Senor de la Vega"
Ladies'" bowed the Mexican. "Gen'
tlemen, Mr.. Chairman. 1t Is with an
appreciation of the honor that ! ac
cepted for today the invitation of Mr..
Marshall to speak before you, to speak
to you; I must tell you first my
thought as sat there and looked at
you, the youth, the flower of the Amer
ican people. A few years ago, we
were calling this the great Colorado
desert; now, the world calls 1t the
hothouse of America. This theatel
Is built over the bones of gold-seekers,
who dared death in this dreaded
desert to find what was buried in
those mountains beyond. The man
] say, who crossed this desert. took
the hazard of death. 1t was coun.
tryman Of mine who piloted, fifteen
years ago, little band Of men, across
the desert. Perhaps he camped on
this very spot. It lis not impossible!
It is here, perhaps, that he got his
inspiration. He saw wonderful ter.
ritory; he dreamed to quicken it with
the useless waters of the Colorado
You will all agree that 1t was Gull.
lermo Estrada who dreamed the dream
that has come true; that it was
through him that some of your coun.
trymen secured their privilege to re.
claim this land. Later, when one Of your
countrymen found he could not fulfil
his promise to you, the promise to de-
liver water to your ranches, he came
to my nation and got permission to cut
into the river on our territory. Most
gladly did Porfirio Diaz grant that
privilege. For that, today, you are
suinr him. This. / am told. Is YOUR