Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-12-16
Agricultural Clubs.
Editors Southern Cuztivator

cannot refrain expressing my pleas
ure, that others are giving the sad con-
dition Of our once prosperous and happy
South some thought | allude to Cos
mopolitan, in the June number Of tba
Cultivator. Ny first compfuhicattion to
you upon this subjectysFas to call the
attention Of planters to it, and arouse
them to actionY While I admire the
zeal and confidence of Cosmopolitan
upon this subject, I very much fear he
prescnbes duties which lay beyond the
functions of such q society as l am apx-
ious to aid in organizing l allude to
agricultural clubs exclusively, although
other branches Of labor or commerce
may be incidentally fostered and pro-
tected. I have known some planters to
lose crop by attempting to do too
much, and many instances could be
cited where they have gotten very much
in the grass by over-cropping themselves.
First, I think he has allowed too little
time for meeting to organize a club !;
this subject should be fully and fairly
discussed before the people, and the
public mind we'll maturcd for SO impor-
tant change as is proposed by these
organizations. I regard the organiza-
tion of these clubs, guided by wise resu-
lations, as the basis Of revolution
pregnant with more prosperity for the
South, than any steps taken BY its peo-.
pie, since the crushing footprints of the
despised radicals have been seen upon
our soil, or their destructive language
and councils have been listened to in
our land. 1t is no gaudy tinseled toy
for our momentary admiration, and then
to be numbered amongst the follies Of
the past. 1t is the embryo of a giant
the nucleus Of system that will ramify-
through our entire country, and identi-
fy itself with the interest of every
planter in the South. Iregard an agri-
cultural club already impotent for good,
which attempts to regulate directly the
price Of cotton or any other produce.
Its influence in this matter should bein-
cidental. The great object should be to
cheaper the productions of the farm,
which we can do by awise organization
of agricultural societies, availing our
selves of the use of improved labor-sav-
ing, implements, pure seed, genuine fer
tilizers, the benefit Of the experience Of
each other in the use of manures, as
we'll as the best plan for the manage
ment of free negro labor And just
here, I will give a gratuiseas eresegip-
ton for the great malady alluded to- by
your correspondent of July, signed B.,
Of Butler, Ga, as to making free negro
labor available. lst. Free our country
Of all Negro Bureaus and garrisons
hire the negroes for money wages, under
q. Just and stringent contract hire none
but can satisfy you of an honorable dis
charge from their former employer, and
discharge him for the first violation Of
his contract. Let the Legislature not
omit to pass wise and strict system OF
game laws, which will do much to pre-
vent the negroes from shooting our stock
on our own lands.
Organize agricultural clubs through
out the South, and enact laws to meet
the above demands, and we will place
the South upon the high road to indie,
pendence. At least, let us begin to
clear away the rubbish of ruin and des-
pair, and declare to the world that we
will bcfree and independence of the loath-
some, pestilential radical usurpers Of
the North and South.