The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, September 16, 1896, Image 7
[From the Ne?v YVk \:;rie;>efidf*Qi, Aug. 27.]
''KING COTTON'S SLAVES"
EMANCIPATED.
BY WILLIAM H KDMCNOS
A remarkable article, bearing the
caption, "King Cotton's Slaves,"
and from the pen of a Georgia news?
paper writer, was printed in the In?
dependent of Joly 30 The purport
of the article was that the Southern
farmer within the cotton belt must of
necessity, make cotton his leading
crop; that he is and must remain in i
, debt to the country merchant, who, j
as unrelenting as Shylock, holds him j
in perpetual bondage; that if he grow
other crops than cotton there is no
market for them; that he cannot sell j
vegetables or Iruits; that Northern !
and Western farmers who have :
moved into the cotton region have j
found "their superior methods and
their ability to pay cash for labor and j
supplies'' of no avail to them, but
have in a few years grown disheart?
ened and have gradually sunk into a
condition of serfdom; that, specifical?
ly, "there is not an instance on re?
cord of a Northern farmer who has
prospered io any great extent in the
South since the war "
If the author of tho article had sait I
that Southern farmers, aiong with |
those in ether parts of ihe count ry, :
are suffering because <>(' low prions . >t
all agricultural products h? would :
have to'd the truth If he had said j
that farmers itt the cotton belt pur- j
sued, for the most patt, for many j
years after the war, the fatuous poli- ?
cy of growing- cotton exclusively and j
importing their food stuffs, and that j
this policy kept them hopelessly in
debt to the country merchants and j
city factors, he would have stated a j
condition that did undoubtedly exist j
But when he makes the averment that
this condition obtains generally in
the South now; when ho claims that
this aK-cotton policy is a necessity,
growing ont of natural conditions;
when he makes the astounding state- !
ment that no Northern farmers have |
prospered to any great extent in the i
cotton region, he contradicts facts.
The writer has travelled over near?
ly every part of the South frequently
during the past ten years. He has
been in every part of the cotton sec
tion several times within the past two
years It has been his business to
study agricultural conditions and mat?
ters pertaining to agricultural immi?
gration He has observed closely,
he has talked with all classes of peo
pie, he has maintained an extensive
and continuous correspondence with
the best sources of information in all
parts of the South, In January,
* 1896. he secured reports from more
than 500 trustworthy correspondents,
representing every part of the cotton
region These reports, supplement?
ing and supporting his own observa
tions and the testimony bad from
bankers, merchants, railroad officials,
traveling representatives of Northern
business houses, from the most care?
ful editors of local papers and from
the farmers themselves, both native
and immigrant, were published with j
an editorial introduction, from which j
the following paragraphs are taken: j
"When cotton brought such prices !
as prevailed for many years after the !
war, it seemed to the planter much i
more profitable to demote himself en?
tirely to cotton and buy his food sup?
plies than to raise these at the cost j
of raising less cotto.i. * * * The ?
unwisdom of this course as a fixed
policy became evident when cotton I
continually declined in value until it j
reached a price lower than what it ?
cost a great majority of the growers
to produce it. * * * * With
the price at which cotton has been ;
selling for several years past this i
method coild not continue, of course,
and farmers began to realize that to !
keep Irom starving they must raise !
things to eat.
"Gradually from year to year the :
number of hogs raised and the acre ;
age given up to corn and other i
cereals and to hay and sorgham have |
increased; and in 1894, in many parts i
of the South, these products, with
fruits and "?egetables, were given!
predominant attention, while cotton j
was made a subordinate crop. As a !
consequence, the farmers who adopt ?
ed this policy had plenty to eat and ?
possibly something to sell, and j
what money their colton brought \
then was in large part a surplus
"The manifestly good effects of!
this method led to its wider adoption
in 1895, with a corresponding im?
provement in the condition of the
farmers.
"It may be said, bv way of sum
marizing these reports, that Southern '
iarmers, as a class, are less burdened :
with debt than they have been at any 1
previous time since the wat; that
they are now more and more every
year producing at home their own
provisions, and becoming leas and
less dependent upon the West for
corn, flour, pork, hay and like sup?
plies; that, growii g these things
themselves, they are saving the
enormous profits on them formerly
paid to supply merchants; and that,
living thus on their own resources, ?
they can count largely as profit what?
ever they may receive for such cot
toi 8R they grow While, as a rule,
there is little money in circulation,
the farmers are living better ti.an
ever before, not, of course, because
of the scarcity of money, but in spite
of it, and because of a wider and ?
wiser utilization of nairn a! resources I
and capabilities. It is shown, how- j
eve?, that in some sections the pro ?
surplus of other crops have beer
more than enough to pay up bael
debts; and that farmers besides buy
ing 6uch needed supplies as can no:
be raised, are improving their farms
buying furniture, vehicles, farm im
pl eine n ls, etc., and in some cases arc
lending and investing money r
That the cotton section is raising
largely other things than cotton, anc
that, therefore, the planter, if ?
"slave" of "King Cotton,"' is so be
cause of bad methods, and not be
cause of adverse natural conditions
may be amply demonstrated The
principal cotton-growing otates are
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama. Missis?
sippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas..
Tennessee These ten States had
last year something less than 19,
000.000 acres in cotton. The samt
States (omitting Maryland. Virginia,
West Virginia and Kentucky), had
24,164,709 actes in corn, 2,266,415
acres in whe*?.t, 3,302,153 acres in
oats, 107,24 acres in rye, 126,893
acres in potatoes, 1,667,553 acres in
hay. The com acreage alone, it will
be observed, was 25 percent, greater
than the cotton acreage These
figures are from reports of the stat?
istician of the United States Agri?
cultural Department. The Agricul?
tural Department does not report the
acreage or yield of any but these
st ap!*- mops ; but from the reports of
the Eleventh United States Census
we learn that in 1889, the census
year, seven years ago, and before the
South had reached is present stage
in the diversification of its products,
these ten States produced 75,102,
728 pounds of tobacco. 127,590.574
pounds of rice, 2,367,562 bushels ol
peanuts, 3 443,355 bushels of peas
and beans, 1T3.594 bushels of grass
and clover seed 22,025,824 bushels
of apples, 24 715,287 bushels ol
peaches. 316,615 bushels of pears,
655.166 bushels of plums, market
garden products to the value- of
nearly ?4,000,000, butter (on farms
only and not including product of
dairies), 139,983,386 pounds; cheese
(on farms only), 329,745 pounds ;
milk (on farms only). 537,027,688
gallons ; eggs, 128,990,924 dozen ;
honey, 15,151,700 pounds. The
number of sheep on farms (not in?
cluding sheep on ranges) was 6.284,
5S1 : the number of cattle on farms
was'l2,718,123 ; of swine, 12,311,
867 ; of poultry, 70,822,891. Three
States of these ten (North Carolina,
Georgia and Tennessee) produced
704,832 gallon of wine and 4,715,
200 pounds of grapes sold for table
use, the market value of the wine
being more than one-fourth the value
of the California product, and the
value of the grapes sold being 80 per
cent, of the value of the Califonr'a
Bales.
And thes? multifarious products
are raised not only and not predomi?
nantly "in the Piedmont legion and
along the edges of the cotton belt,"
but in "the interior of the distinct?
ively cotton territory" as well. The
counties in Georgia (the State in
which the author of the Independent
article lives) most noted for cotton
production are likewise large pro?
ducers of the cereals, and are con?
spicuous for fruit production. What
is now known as the fruit belt of
Georgia is in the area of largest cot
ton production. The great peach
orchards around Macon, Fort Valley,
Tifton, .Marshailville the vineyards
that are making their owners rich at
Tifton, Morelands, Newnan, and in
dozens of other localities, and all
"in the interior of the distinctively
cotton territory."
As to the impossibility of selling
grain raised in the cotton belt, if the
Piedmont farmer or the Western or
Northern farmer can sell his grain,
what is there to prevent the farmer
in the cotton territory from selling
his ? All have access to the same
markets; all have equal j :vi!eges in
the matter of railroad transportation
The report of the statistician of the
United States Department of Agri?
culture for December, 1895, gives
the average farm price rn 1395 of
various farm products in all the
States. The following table shows a
comparison of prices of grain in
representative Northern States, with
the average of prices in the ten cot?
ton States:
Cora Wheat. Rv e. Oats.
Mns.-H?-hii?et?i?, .52 ... (fr 7 31 1
New York, .45 .63 .48 .28
Peun?j!vHnia, .39 .65 .50 .27
Ohio," .27 .60 45 22
Illinois, .22 5:-! .40 .17
Iowa, .18 46 .31 .14 I
Nebraska, .18 .40 .30 .14 j
North Dakota, .24 .38 .27 16 !
Avertir? tor ?en
COU?tl States, .37 .71 .79 .40
Here, then, ir. co? tu pie te refutation of
the claim tba: the Southern farmer eau
get noihing for his grain.
The growing of early fruits and i
vegetables for Northern markers has I
come to be an industry of wide extent I
and gre-it pro?^h?rmo-s in si! parts of ?
the far South, particularly io the "dis?
tinctively colton territory." During
the season, daily fast express trains,
ou a dosen through ?ices, narry to the
Northern cities mil lions of packages |
of berries and perishable vegetables j
from hundreds of stations in the heart I
of the cotton belt. Several steamers a
day go from Norfolk to New York with
less tender products, not only from the
Norfolk dietrior., but assembled there ?
by fast trains from North Carolina, I
South Carolina and Georgia. Almost '.
daily, steamships laden with the pro?
ducts of the truck farms in the cotton
belt start from (marleston and Savao
cah for the Nor!hem coast cilios.
^^^n^^h^^^^^f^^o^r^e^^^t^^oH
emphasized by a comparison of the
average value ppr acre of all farm pro?
ducts iu these States with the value of
all crops io other States
Computing this from thc number of
acres cf cultivated land in each of >be
States, and the valua of all farm pro?
ducts in each, as given in the census
reports, we find the averages to be as j
follows :
Average value per acre of farm pro- !
ducts, 1889. Computed from lofai j
area of land in cultivation, and total
val ne nf al; farm products :
United States, as a whole, $f> 87 j
North Atlantic division, 9 88 ;
North Central division, 6 03
Western division, o' 7t>
Average fer ten cotton States, 8 98
As to Northern farmers in the ?outh,
for ten years or more colonies and indi?
vidual settlers from the North and
West have been moving to the South m
constantly increasing numbers, and
to-day scattered all over the South
there are many thousands of prosperous
and happy Northern families living
well and making money. The writer
has had within the last three years
many hundreds of lefter.-: from North?
ern farmers who have, lived iu the South
from one to fi treen or more years, aod
who bear eager and enthusiastic testi?
mony to the. wonderful agricultural ad
vaotsges of 'he Souih-the "cotton
territory" of the South-in soil, in !
diversity of proJust3, io e.irly matar?^y !
of crops aod ehctpcess of producing j
theo?, iii length nf growing season, o? :
iow coat tit' living. They bava pro- j
claimed ?ha* they were infinitely hater '.
off than they would have been if 'hey j
had nor moved Sooth, thal they w?-re j
Contented and happy, and that ou no I
account, could rh ey be induced to give !
up their Southern homes. Hundi os i
of these letters have be30 published, .
with the names and addresses -;f the i
writers of them.
The space available for this arric-o is ?
limited. lt is ico possible to utase any ?
enumeration of successful and prosper?
ous Northern farmers and com munit ies
of Nor hern farmers in trie South, or
do more toa.) point out. one or two fae's j
in the great mass nf evidence tb*t j
might he brought, ouc to prove that th
farmers in the cotton territory aro no j
longer, as a c?as*, the "Slaves of King j
Cotfoa that such of them as s.t;il re?
main iu this bondage have open to them
abundant avenues of escape afforded j
by a great viriety of profitable crops ; j
thar the cotton region is marveloH^iy
rich ia conditions favorable to success?
ful agriculture independent of cot?oi?,
aod tba?, these conditions are being i
more and more every year realized and i
profitably availed of by farmers from
other paris of the country.
Baltimore, Md.
A FAIRY "TALE.
A fisherman was living in a humble
cabin with his wife Stora. One day aft?
er having uselessly spent several hours
on the river broik he suddenly pulled
from the water au immense fish with
gold scales aud a gold crowu on its
head.
1 'Ali !" cried ho. " Here's a fine catch.
I will take it to the king. He will cer?
tainly pay nie generously for it. " But !
the fish said: "Give me niy liberty. I
am an enchanted prince and eau acccm- !
plish any wish you may express.*'
"All right," good naturedly replied ;
the fisherman. 4 'This is the first time I ;
have ever heard a fish falk, and that iii j
itself is proof of your claim. "
Dropping the fish into the water, he j
returned to his cabin to tell the adven- i
ture to his wife, "What!" cried she. j
"And from that fish, who 210 doubt has !
tho power of a fairy, yon demanded !
nothing?"
"No." said the fisherman. "If did j
not occur to zoo. Anyway, what could I [
have asked for?"
"What!" she exclaimed. '"When we !
are here in a miserable cabin! You j
might at least have asked for a cottage! ?
Go back. He is under obligations to j
you. You saved his life. He can refuse 1
you nothing."
The meek and humble fisherman was
not at all anxious to make tho attempt, J
but finally giving way to his wife's de- !
termination he went to the water's i
edge and called: "Fish of goldi Royal i
fish!"'
"Why db you cull me?" asked tho j
fish.
"Alas, " replied flie timid'fisherman,
"I am obpyiug- ray'wife, who does not ?
always think as I do. "
"And what dof.s she wish at present V ' ;
said the fish kindly! j
"Ali, " he replied sadly, "she is not j
satisfied with our small cabin and wishes ,
a larger one. ' '
"Very well. Return heme and you j
will find your wish accomplished. "
In fact, in place of the miserable j
cabin was a beautiful cottage. Stern j
was sitting radiantly happy on a bench ;
in front of the door. Taking lier hus- :
band by the .hand, she r=ai<l. "Just crane j
and see how beautiful ir is!" There was i
a bedroom, with a comfortable bod, a I
kitchen with a complete assortment ot j
et.oking utensils, and near by a low !
court, from which cane.- tho dickie of j
geese and ehiefa ns. Then followed a
garden full of vegetables and an orchard
of fruit trees. "Ls ir not charming?" i
cried Stora.
."Yes, mdood.'' replied the astonished '
fisherman, and both heartily rejoiced in
their good fortune. Fifteen days later j
Stora said to her husband: "I have been .
thinking that we wen* too modest in
nioking i.m* wishes known. Thiscotrug*
is ? ; M ? small, and there is not a single
fiwld joined o> the g:u*den. 1 should like .
to have :i beautiful connrry residence."
"What folly!" cried her luisband. ?
"What would we do with a country resi?
dence';"
"Make yourself easy. 1 know well of
what benefit it would be to us. You
have nothing to do but r:> again see your !
friend, the golden fish."
The poor fisherman, iiot being able to !
"Why (T<> you call me"" cried t
crowned fish.
"Alas," replied the fisherman,
come in obedience to my wife, who.
wishes are not always in accord wi
mine. "
"What dees she want now?"
"She thinks she would like a beau
ful country residence."
"All right. Your wish is accomplis
ed."
The ^sherman, thanking him, turn
homeward. To his surprise, he fom
before him a large house with com
granaries and stables. His wife, waith
for him in her loveliest Sunday dre?
led him into their new home. Here w
the master's room and there a large o:
for the servants. The chimney was ft
of hams. Not far off was the milkhou
and near by a granary full of wheat. ',
the stable wore many beautiful cow
There was a pigeon house on the roof
the shed, which was well filled with f
sheep, and a couple of storks were <
the chimney. Around the house we
gardens, fields and prairies. "Is th
not a delightful place?" euthusiastical
inquired Stora.
"Yes," replied the fisherman, "S
that we live here in peace. "
A few days passed, when one momii
S i ora said to lier husband: "It is inde<
a good thing to have a country hou
like this, but we can do better. Wc c;
have a chateau and live as nobles d
This is what you must demand of yoi
magic fish, who is in your debt- for li
itself."
"No, indeed," said the fishenna
"Certainly not. I will uotmake this a'
dit ional demand cf him. Ho would 1
angry, and he would have go. d cause.
"Oh, I beg cf you," implored h
wife, 4 'go to him again, fie will rein:
you nothing. I cannot live in this fara
house. If I stay here, I shall bc ill. If
have nor a chateau, I shall die. "
Th<"- apprehensive fisherman agai
obeyed, and thc fish said to him, "Gc
Your new wish is granted."
When he returned heme, what awoi
derful chauge awaited him! In place r
his rustic house he found a beautifr.
chateau with flag waxing on tho top c
its lofty tower. A wi Je moat surround
ed the high walls inclosing tho doman
and on its drawbridge stood Stora in
silk gown with a gold chain about hr
neck. Taking her husband by the ham'
she lcd him into their apartment. El
tering the large door, they passed fre?
room to room completely and beautiful
ly furnished with soft carpets, super
hangings, statuary and pictures. On e\
ery side were domestics in livery. In th
court stood a carriage with two beauti
ful horses, a coachman on tho seat an
a footman up behind. Near by was
garden full of flowers, a conservator;
and an aviary.
"Ah," said. Stora, with an air of tri
umph, "what do you think of all this
Is this not better than a country hons:
Aro you not content?"
"Yes," replied the fisherman, "bu
for the love of all that's good, let ns sta;
here. ' '
A few days later Stora remarked t
her husband: "I was on tho tower tn
day tind was astonished and grieved t
find how little land we have. It is lie
enough that you should be a lord. Yoi
must have a kingdom. Yon must b
king. ' '
"What extravagance!" cried the fish
erman. ' 'Never, nev? -r will I permit it. '
' 'If you do not wish to be king, ' ' re
plied Stora in a resolute tone, "I never
theless am determined to be queen, ant
I desire you to go and explain my wisl
to tiie friend, who is under so many ob
ligations to you, to the powerful magi
cian.; '
"No, indeed, " reiterated the fisher?
man. "Kc lias already been wonderfully
generous with us. I do not wisJi to irri
tate and tire him. "
But the ambitious Stora insisted, beg?
ged and threatened and the poor fish: r
man again g ive way to her iaflexinh
will. Tho fish looked upon him iii pity,
saying sadly, "This time also tho wish
of your wife is granted "
In place cf thc lordly chateau them
was a grand palace with a magnificent
facade and four imposing towers. A
marble stairway covered with rich car?
pet lcd to thc first floor, to the reception
room where the ministers, generals and
courtiers were congregated and where
Stora sat on a golden throne, an ermin?
mantle about her and a cr?wn of dia?
monds on her hoad.
"Finally. " said she enthusiastically
to lier husband, "herc is a burst of for?
tune, herc is power, here is happiness!
There is nothing more I could wish. "
"God l)e praised, "ho fervently re?
plied.
A few moments late r, with a grave
air, she tock him by the hand, drawing
him into the embrasure of a window
that she might talk to him unobserved,
and said to him, "'I am well satisfied
that I am a queen, am contented with
the respect of my ministers and tho
tranquillity of my subjects, but some?
times the sun rises too late; sometimes
the moon is too late, and sometimes the
wind whistles and blows in u manner
that inconveniences me greatly. I wish
to govern them according to my pleas?
ure. The fairy fish can refuse you noth?
ing. He must grant me this one addi?
tional favor. It will be the last. M
The peaceful fisherman was stupefied.
He could net believe she spoke seriously.
But when slie, in a resolute manner,
repeated her demand he declared he
would never take part in any such in?
sanity.
But, alas, the poor mau luid not thc
courage t:> resist the headstrong will of j
his companion. After violent protesta-!
lions he again acquiesced.
Ho wem in fear and trembling to per?
form his strange mission. Til is ihm- tl*;
fish regarded him coldly ami said to him
in a formidable voice:
"This is enough. Y< nrwffe is insane,
ana yon are an imbecile. Von will nc
hing? i- have oirh< r chateau < r lands. Lu
pity J will give y< >u back your ancient
cottage. Yen deserve rn? more."
As the fairy fish disappeared beneath
the waters the fishernum turned home?
ward with bowed li?.-ad to find Iiis wife
dressed in wretched rags and sitting
upon the doorsill of their old cabin, la- :
menting their lost wealth.-Translated j
nwmnunnn
Furman University,
GREENVILLE. S. C.
The nex' session will bepin September 23d,
1896. Courses of instruction extensive and
thorough. Expanses moderate. Full corps
of instructors For part icu lars, apolv tn the
President, C. MANLY, D.D.
Aug. 19.
STANTON
HOUSE.
D. J. JONES, Proprietor.
Raies ?2.00 Per Day.
SPECIAL TEEMS TO FAMILIES.
Two a?iautes *Waik From Centra!
Depot.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Julr 2?.
AND
Drives Off Ispite as? Flies.
ONLY IO CENTS A BOX.
Evrry Package Djes Cotton, Silk and Wool, I
or Mixed Goods.
10 CENTS A PACKAGE.
TRY THEM.
Prescriptions Pilled
Day and Night.
J.S.HS0N
&G0.,
DRUGGISTS,
MONAGHANBLOCK
SUMTER, S. C.
The Sumter
Music House,
NEXT DOOR TO POST OFFICE
Pianos, Organ8 and Sewing Machines |
of the best grade sold cbeap for cash j
or on easy terms. Old ones taken in
exchange for new ones.
CLEANING AND REPAIRING i
DONE PROMPTLY.
j
We also keep j
I
NEEDLES, OILS,!
I
And parts of every Sewing' Machine.
We have some rare bargains in j
Pianos, Organs and Sewins Machines, i
M.B. R?NDLE, !
Jan S. Manager. I
HARB Y ? CO.,
WHOLESALE BROKERS,
-AND
Cotton Storage Warehouse
PROPRIETORS.
UP-TOWN OFFICE:
COURT HOUSE SQUARE,
For Cash with order will sell
3,000 bushels Prime White
Corn sacked at -ioc per bushel,
in lots of one sack or upwards,
at Har by <fc Co's Warehouse.
Respectfully,
HARBY & CO.
July 22
Tlie L?rmst ant 1st Collete
liment Soi
Geo. S. flacker & Son,
.MANUFACTURERS OF
IORSJ SASH, BLINDS,
Moulding & Building
Material.
rtrice ?nd Warercoms, King, opposite Cac?
non Street.
CHARLESTON, S. C.
pit Purchase our make, which we guarantee
superior to any sold South, and
thereby save money.
Window and Paney Glass a Specialty
October 16 - o
FARMING
LAND.
THOSE WHO HAVE GOOD FARMING
Lands for sale aud those who desire,
to purchase farms nre requested to commnni*
cale with rae.
W. H. INGRAM,
SUMTER, S. C.,
REAL ESTATE AGENT,
?m?13-3raJ
WOFFORD COLLEGE,
Spartanburg, S. C,
Jas. H. Carib b-, L. L. D , President.
Seven departments, Two co'iises leading to
A. B. A new and we'l equipped Gymna?
sium at;d competent director.
WOFFORD FITTING SCHOOL,
A. G RemUeit, A. M , Head 'lasier.
The Fitting >ohooi Ins r-een moved to the
Ahum.; Hnl! The Second Master. A. Mason
LuPre, A M , ?od the Vlatron live in the
building. S>vt-r?l of 'he College professor?
tench ::: the Schoo! ar:d the students receive
itiSiructiot: KT li-r- Gytinstura. Session be
"His Octet??: 1. For CATA?O?'.?S. address
J. A GA M EWELL,
July I - * Secretary of Faculty.
Order Your
PROVISIONS ANO GROCERIES
FROM
&E0. W. STIFFENS & SON,
Wholesale Agents, (Marleston, S C
-Agents for
MOTT'S CIDER
BED SEAL CIGARS,
AND DOVE HAMS
s? Gining! Gunning! Gunning!
STRICTLY HIGH GRADE.
/T^A The Best is the Cheapest.
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We are "GUNNING" for you. Send for Catalogue.
Elgin S?wiflQ Machine S Neuste 60.