Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-14
THE FARMERS DEPRESSION AND
HOPE.

THE FARMERS DEPRESSION AND
HOPE
At the close Of the war the farming con-
munity Of the South was in the most despe-
rate condition, especially in those localities
which were the continued theatre Of militia
~ strife. In Middle Tennessee, for ex-
ample, from this city in all directions, there
was scarcely farm untouched by the ruth
less hand Of war. Fences were torn down
and the material destroyed; stock seized and
carried away for tie uses Of the one or the
other army; horses, cattle sheep and hogs
were consumed or deported; olentimes
dwellings and barns were given to the flames,
and the evangel Of war, Destruction, danced
in the light Of cracking and perishing
homes Our people in this section were left
with nothing bat desolated acres, and an
exceedingly small supply Of provisions
The system Of labor was wholly carried
away, and that labor was to be reor-
ganized on a new and untried basis with
prospects, at best, but doubtful. In this con-
dition were things in the latter half Of 1865.
Moneyless and shorn Of the means Of max
ing it, to a very great extent nothing but
the gloom Of increasing poverty seemed
visible to our farmers.
There was only one escape, and that was
a prompt selfexertion, seconded by economy
and perseverance. This is being practiced.
The promise of a rich harvest to the dill
gent sower is likely to be realized. But one
year will not suffice to restore all that has
been lost-it will require more. We are in
receipt, every day, Of letters from our far
mers complaining Of poverty and depression.
The cattle have not reappeared upon
thousand hills7-the Enclosures rise slowly
under a few hands that we're built and tori
down by many-we cannot see, say many,
what we are to hope for in the future-and
the depression and gloom continues inten-
sifed in the minds Of great number by
the cherries aspect ofpublic affairs. These
forebodings are not good, and we propose
few words Of encouragement.
The farmer should first remember that he
who plants the seed and reaps the harvest,
is the cornerstone Of the human life-struc-
ture. He furnishes the elemental basis Of
all other pursuits and properties. The
non-producers are at his mercy. Those who
simply add value to things already created,
are dependent upon him for the means to
carry on the work. The tradesman well
comes him TO his shop-door as his ultimate
savior. True, there are dependencies all
around; but the farmer is the foundation.
Jehovah made the land 10 stay where He
placed il, and He decreed that out Of it man
should have his sustenance. No act Of man
can change this law, for there is no mama
falling now. The producer Of bread and
meat is the last to starve, and will be the
last to fail in worldly prosperity if true to
himself his vocation and his surroundings.
The superstructure must always fall before
the foundation. This natural principle of
physics is not destroyed by the artificial !
structure of society and government 1t
prevails still with them, though partially
modifed-sor while temporary events may
weaken or depress, in its parts and sections,
it still stands, as a whole, the support and
stay Of both.
Let the farmers, largeand small alike, take
courage and cherish hope. They are at least
secure, as long as there is security for any.
Temporary and abnormal causes have visited |
them with misfortune and losses. The soil |
is there still, and the hochs and herds viii |
come by and by. These neither upbraid |
natGre nor man, but go on producing and |
reproducing, obeying the laws Of creation,
giving ali and taking nothing away. Be
cause men differ and fight kill, consume
and destroy, the benefcence Of Providence
Is not stopped, nor the supplies Of nature
diminished
If permitted word Of counsel, we should
say to the farmer that he ought to be the
most hopeful and happy of his race. If he
has lost all but his lands, he still has for
tune in them and his good healthy arm. Let
him sell as much as he can, and buy as little.
He will thus create Il margin of profit which
will go to the replacement of his losses in
the restoration OF his houses and fields. Be
patient frugal, industrious, and few years
will bring back to his board and his pocket
the bounteous plenty of the past Let him
reflect thst the smiling fields of 1860 were
not created in a day, nor in a single lifetime
that his fathers toiled for two and three
generations to reach that point of prosper
ty. lie has but small part of that road
o repass, and can do in few years, what
equired so many.
As to politics be vigilant, and vote right
rhen you have a vote. If the Government
; to be destroyed, don't have any hand in
but use every effort in your power to
revent il.