Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-07
Nominations for the Legislature
Postponed.
Thrilling Address Upon Duties of
Legislators,
And Cratic Advice to Farmers.

In accordance with previous announce
ment, the farmers of Davidson county
assembled at the courthouse in this city
yesterday. A mole intelligent body of gen.
llemen we have never seen convened and
their object was for the good of the COM
munity in general.
On motion of Justice Ewing, Mr.. Mark
Cockrill, President of the Davidson County
Farmers Club was called to the chair, by
whom the object of the meeting was stated,
ii being to take snch measures as would Sc
cure suitable representatives in tie State
Legislature for the interest of the farmer,
on which is founded all other interests
commercial, financial, mechanical and pro-
fessional.
RESOLUTIONS.
Justice Ewing offered the following reso-
luton:
Whereas, The political and material in
terest Of our people demands at all times in
the General Assembly just representation
of the different interests Of the community,
and DO other mode CT selecting our repre-
sentatives except from the separate trades
and professions, can conform to the true
spirit and genius of our State Government;
more especially at a time like the present
when the apportionment Of the revenue to
the proper capacity of the State will neces-
sarily tax to the most confidence of the peo-
pie in the economy, craftsmanship and firm
ness ofthe Legislative Department. And
Whereas, In the General Assembly to be
chosen at the ensuing November election,
the county of Davidson will be entitled to
at least four representatives in the two
branches of the Legislature:
Therefore, be it resolved, 1t is the sense
Of this meeting, that the agricultural, the
mechanical, the commercial and the pro-
fessional interest of this ;county should
each find a representative in the coming
General Assembly.
Be it resolved, That of
civil district is the choice Of this meeting to
represent the farmers of Davidson county,
and we hereby unanimously pledge to him
our support.
Mr.. Clay Roberts thought that as the
meeting had been hastily assembled and
those present had scarcely as yet considered
the subject before them thoroughly, it were
better to act deliberately. He therefore
moved that the chair appoint a committee
of five to draft suitable resolutions.
Gen. Jackson was Of the opinion that the
time had come when farmers should Co
operate and act under organization as other
bodies or classes of men. The farmers
were in the majority and their interests
were Of prime Importance. They were
certainly as good a class of men as any and
perhaps understood their own interest the
best. If the farmers were to assert their
privileges there must be greater concert of
action hereafter.
Col. Anthony johnson cOncurred with
Gen. jackson in his views, and thought
farmers should co operate. He suggested
the appointment of a committee of three
from the first district and one from each
other civil district to frame resolutions ex-
pressing the sense of the meeting, and to
propose a candidate fer the Legislature that
would properly represent the farmers.
Gov. Foote arose, as he stated, with some
degree of diffidence, to cordially and heart
lily agree with the measure as proposed by
Justice Ewing, and modified by MessrS.
Roberts and johnson.
Mr.. Roberts withdrew his objection.
Gen. Jackson proposed that the farmers
express as their choice for the State Senate
Judge John NJ. Lea, and for the House of
Representatives Hiram Vaughn and Robt.
II. Gardner.
Gov. Foote thought that such action
would be premature.
Col. Thos. Claiborne agreed with Gov.
Foote, though the Governor is not farm
er. To which the Governor arose and re-
piled: II was born on q farm, raised on a
farm, have farmed all my life in several
States-Mississipp Alabama, Tennessee
and California, aud if haven't got the best
IN, 10 y-f4enp ~ Col fflai
borne, l am Mistaken"
Col Claiborne did not think the charac-
ter Of the meeting had yet been fully de-
fined. He saw several classes of men pre-
sent, among whom were lawyers, candi-
dates, etc.
Remarks, smac&ing of advice to farmers
and tie duties Of legislators, were made at
some length by Mr.. j. ID. Wade, attorney
at law. lie did not see that there was any
special reason for sending famers to the
Legislature. The meeting should take adj
visory cps, however, and if it was finally
decided that farmers were the best choice
that could be made, he would support
them.
Gen. Jackson--Mr. President l dislike
exceedingly much TO see cold water dashed
in the face of farmers meeting and such
has been attempted to-day. l have often
heard the syren tone of lawyers lulling
farmers to sleep until sleeping too long and
unmindful Of their rights they awoke to
find their energies paralyzed and power
gol e..
While he was glad to see the lawyers
present, yet this was farmers meeting and
their voices alone should control it. He
knew that it was fun for lawyers t. iull TO
sleep The farmers who had presumed to
meet.
Gov. Foote interrIlnted Gen. jackson.