The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1922-01-25

The whole rural world is in fer
ment of unrest, and there is an un-
parallcled volume and intensity of de-
termined, if not angry, protest, and an
ominous swarming of occupational
conferences, interest groupings, poll
tical movements and propaganda.
Such turmoil cannot but arrest our
attention. Indeed, it demands our
careful study and examination. 1t is
not likely that six million aloof and
ruggedly independent men have come
together and banded themselves into
active unions, societies, farm bureaus,
and so forth, for no sufficient cause.
Investigation of the subject conclu-
sively proves that, while there is
much overstatement Of grievances and
misconception Of remedies, the farm
ers are right in complaining of
holding that it is feasible to relieve
their ills with benefit to the rest of
the community. This being the case
of an industry that contributes, in
the raw material form alone. about
third of the national wealth pro-
duction and is the means Of livelihood
OF about 40 per cent of the popula-
ton, it is obvious that the subject is
one OF grave concern. Not only do
the farmers make up 0ne-half of the
nation, but the well-being Of the 9TH
er half depends upon them.
So long as we have nations, a wise
political economy will aim at a large
degree Of national self -sufficicncy and
self-containment. Rome fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and extend our
sources Of food distantly and precari-
ously, if we do not sec to it that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country, but an i'm
povcrished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligencc.
Only the lower grades Of mentality
and character will remain on, or seek,
the farm, unless agriculture is capable
Of being pursued with contcntmcnt
and adequate compensation. Hence,
to cmbittcr and impovcrish the farm
cr is to dry up and contaminate the
vital sources Of the nation.
The war showed convincihgly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity Of the farms. Despite
IlclCulciil clolIo, pioNtS
ton kept only few weeks or months
ahead of consumption, and that only
by increasing the acreage Of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that Of others. We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems. They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
if they were purely selfish demands
of G. clcar-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest Of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture in the
light of broad national policy, just
as we consider oil, coal, steel, dye
stuffs, and so forth, rs sincws of ma
tional strength. Our growing popula-
tion and higher standard of living
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest
With the disappearance of free OF
cheap fertile land, additional acreage
and increased yields can come only
from costly effort. This we need not
expect from an impoverished OF un.
happy rural population.