The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-11-27
ANNUAL ADDRESS
At mississippi State Fair
by Maj. Thomas Reed,
OF FAYETTE, MISS,
Thursday, November 13tA, 1873.
Nr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen-
FellO,U- Citizens of Mississippi:

FellOtU- Citizens Of Mississippi:
I propose to present to-day some prac-
teal remarks about Home Interests, be-
lieving that such thoughts are in accord
with the great design of this Association,
which was founded to encourage the ac-
tive labors of the farmer, the mechanic,
and the manufacturer, and stimulate an
industrious rivalry in all these industries
From the outlook which we may take
this morning of the success that has at
tended their efforts to foster, sustain and
build up all these home interests, we dis
cover that our success has not been COM
mensurate with our hopes We believed
that by this time our vessel of State
would have been reftted and ably man
ned and fully prepared to develope all
her material resources. What is the
cause of our want of prosperity? Is it
not that in every industry we are ham
pered, embarrassed and almost disabled
by want of means? We are
AN AGRICULTURAL PEOPLE,
Dependent upon that for our material
wealth. and, whilst failure has been
brought about perhaps in some instances
by want of thrift, l fear the great cause
has been in our changed labor system.
The labor of our State was once to a
great extent controlled and skillfullv
managed. 1t then enriched our people.
We to-day have no system of labor; nor
does capital not control it.
The present pernicious system of ad-
vancing supplies for the cultivation of
the usual crops, has placed the mass of
the farmers of our State under tribute to
the merchant. The farm labor is under
the control and influence of the country
trader, many of whom do not have an
idea above the making of money. Who
does not look to the future and forsee
the evil results that follow to all commu-
mites who spend all they make, and add
nothing to the wealth of the Stae. or in
any manner increase the sources Vt pub.
lie revenue.
The producers of nearly ene-hlf OF
our great staple have not been educated
to put their gains and the fruits of their
labor into property, but on the contrary.
have been educated to espend it in foolist
gewgaws, in efforts to ape their superiors
or in catering to other appetites that sool
consume all their toll and leave then
penniless.
Is There u ISiHSug 1Oh buIS great evil
We must find one, and the sooner we be
gin the better. A people, the mass o
whose population spend all they make
and frequently more than they make
will become, as we are, poorer and poorel
every day.
Legislation can aid us. 1t has done $
great injury in this direction, no dubt
unintentionally, but the agricultural ler
law of 1871, which gave the supply mar
a prior lien upon all crops, over Landlords
laborers and all others, placed in tn
hands of the merchants almost the entir
crop of the State, and has continued I
do so every year since its enactment
This broad statute tempted the cupidit
of that class of merchants, whose sole OF
Ject is gain, to make all they could out c
their customers. The wisest Iegislato
could not forsee the injurious workings @
this law. 1t Is a new feature in legisla
ton, and seemed to be demanded by tn
necessities of the day. The Legislature
at Its last two sessions attempted to n
pair the injuries by some additions TO tn
law of leins, but they have not gone "a
enough. The law should be peneral-t
embrace landlords, laborers and suppl
men, and thus recognize the eouitahl
principle that he who furnishes the la,,
and the labor is entitled to equal nrotef
ton to him who furnishes the necessar
supplies.
The intelligent farmer should, by ex
ample as well as precept, endeavor to "a
ucate our dependent laborers, to improv,
their habits of industry, economy am
frugality; to be faithful and honest !,
payment of their farm debts, and 4
meeting all their obligations. This elias
of farmers are in our midst, and will b
here for time to come; they want instruc
ton. Example is more potent than Ore
cept. They, ike children, readily fol
low bad examples, Let us be punctuaI
De honest, upright and accurate in all GU
dealings, and encourage them to max
character for themselves. Let us inter
est them in the soil-in building N
houses-in surrounding themselves witt
every species of farm property. lie
them feel that we take an interest !,
their welfare. 1t is true that tbosa vb.
become identified with the soil al NJ,
owners thereof, become better citizens
more industrious and more eonserv., !; :.
IN their character. A good alncat;o,
mas hike effect. Let me urge voT +
favor their education. Aid fhen, IA tl,.;.
enoFts m that direction. It il the settled