Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-13
FARM AND GARDEN.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL AssoCI.
ALTON

NAAAONAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCI-
ALTON.
The coming together of large number
Of intelligent gentlemen from the various
parts of the United States, OF the Sd inst,
in this city, in the interest of agriculture is
an event worthy Of special note. In no de-
Lucrative assembly have we ever seenmore
dignity, intelligence and practical informa-
ton. There were men present who would
have added weight to the Parliament of
Great Britain. With great unanimity they
adopted constitution and parcelled out
work, which, if properly performed, will
make the Association of commanding in
terest and of durable worth. Earnest efforts
will be made to bring together at St. Louis
on the fourth Monday in May next, all the
leading Associations in the United States.
The newspapers throughout the Union that
feel an interest in this grand convocation
of farmers are earnestly requested to lend
their aid to ensure its complete success, by
stirring up and awakening an enthusiasm
in their local organizations. 1t viii be seen
that every local association Of fifty or more,
will be enabled to send delegate, and, we
trust, that ten thousand may assemble in
mass convention at st. Louis. The farm
ers need new hopes and new encourage
ments. 1t is not the purpose Of the organi-
zation TO legislate, but to instruct and be
instructed, to confer together and learn the
sentiments and feelings, wishes and neces-
stiles ofthose from different parts ofthe coun-
try, in order that they may act intelligently
through their committees that will be APP
pointed to discharge specific duties. The
nerveless energies Of the farmers need gov
ornamental support. This support can only
be obtained by thorough and efficient Or
CARNATIONS. As class, the agriculturists
get nothing, because they ask for nothing.
Their dearest rights are often invaded and
their highest interests sacrificed, because
they are destitute, as a class, of power.
They have no board of trade, no exchange,
no chamber of commerce, no organization
powerful enough even to cOunteract the
local rings of petty tradesmen. We have
known articles OF prime necessity to differ
in price fifty per cent. in markets not fifty
miles apart, and these markets connected
by rail and river.
There is sluInbering among the farmers
an untold uOu-ar- rONyar that oap novarD
and control the world-a power that prop
erly managed and directed, can work
social revolution and make that occupation
which God honored, the chosen pursuit of
the wiseSt of men. And it is fitting that this
great conservative force should be utilized.
The aggregation of capital in commercial
centres is dangerous to the government
and ruinous in its tendencies. The
influence of those heartless corpora
tons is daily widening, and they are man
aged, many of them, by designing, ambi-
tious and INSCRIPTIONS men, who would
not hesitate TO destroy the very foundations
of the government if it would in anywise
serve to swell their ill-gotten gains. To
resist these corporations and to serve as a
protection against them and their exorbi-
tant demands, there must be a society with
a central head extending its branches and
striking its roots into every nook and cor
ner of the land, and embracing as members
all who are interested in the success of ag-
riculture.
There should be more solid men in our
legislative bOdies-men whose impressions
have been formed and opinions moulded by
association with the 'sbone and sinew" of
the land-men of good plain practical sense,
honest, able, shrewd, vigilant and firm, and
who, by union, can overthrow the power
and counteract the influence of these soul
less corporations. We are drifting rapidly
upon the breakers that destroyed Venice,
overturned Rome, and that have more than
once upset the government of France-a
Capitalization of money controlled by few,
having no direct interest in the preservation
of law and order.