Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-07-26

! FARMERS STATE CONVENTION.
To the Farmers Of Middle and West
Tennessee.
The convention of farmers recently
held in the city of Knoxville, appoin-
ted the undersigned to communicate
with you ON the subject of calling and
holding convention of the farmers of
the whole State at Nashville on the
10Th day of September, 1873. Upon
comforting with the President of the
Bureau of Agriculture, it was thought
and believed that the 18th of Septem-
Der would be a suitable time, and
hence the East Tennessee Convention
passed resolution to this effect. If
the time does not suit, there is plenty
of time to fix upon day, but until fur
ther advised, the dayre1erred to viii be
settled upon.
We scarcely deem it incumbent up
on US to use any special arguments
why such convention should be held.
There is sufficient intelligence on the
subject to comprehend and appreciate
its Importance and necessity We
suppose the only difficulty In the case
is the want of interest, or the existence
ofapathy, or, to come nearer the truth,
the lack of some one or more to lead
the movement. This was emphatieal-
ly the case In East Tennessee. The
moment that some one had the cour-
age and the perseverance to tap the
question and urge it upon the atten-
ton of the farmers, it met with most
hearty and active response.
The first convention was held in
May, 1872, and although new, there
was large and enthusiastic attendance
of the farmers from all portions of the
county, and the interest shown was
intense. The next was held in May,
1913, and was more successful than the
first. We, therefore, infer, from the
success of these two conventions, that
1t was not because the farmers were
Indifferent to the matter, but that all
that was needed was to lay it before
them and urge them to action. We
view it in the same light with regard
to the whole State. All that need
be done is to call specific attention
to the subject, fix upon the time and
request the different counties to send
delegates. You have already seen q
disposition among the farmers all over
the State to organize, and that dispo-
sition is increasing.and intensifying
every hour. A little more fuel will
produce prOdigious blaze. We have
been forcibly impressed with the silent
but powerful feeling peryading the
ranks of the farmers on this subject.
Simultaneously, without extraneous
causes or influences, or without any
studied and concerted attempt to pro-
duce such state of things, the farmers
have all at once become aroused to
the necessity of organization and are
thinking and talking about it in all
sections of the State This is signif-
cant: We are fully persuaded that all
you have to do is to sound the notes and
thousands of farmers will respond with
dispatch, pride and pleasure through
out.
The farmers of East Tennessee are
particularly anxious to meet the far
mers west of the mountains. They
have for nearly century, been cut off
ton with them, and are utterly insen-
sible of their movements. We are of
the opinion that a State Convention
would have an excellent effect upon
the farmers of all the sections. A
more intimate acquaintance would be
formed, better understanding seeur-
ed, more enlarged ideas on the subject
of agricultural reform created, and
sOunder basis of union and compact
organization laid down. When we
can work and pull together, as body
or class, We will have achieved a sin
gle victory. Then and not till then,
will we be in a condition to resist the
encroachments daily and hourly made
upon our just rights. Already the
politicians, railroad monOpolies, mid
dle-men and other tyrannical eombI-
nations, are sneering at our movements
and chiding US with the insinuation
that we are combining for the purpose
OF building up political organization.
To all this we pay no attention. and
claiming to exercise the simple right
of banding together for our mutual
protection. All other classes do it,
and why may not the farmers?
In conclusion, gentlemen, let us by
all means hold State Convention at
the time designated, or any other time
that may suit We are not particular.
We must redeem our State in an ag-
ricultural point of view. We alone
can do IT, The farmers of East Ten
nessee will meet you and join YOU most
heartily. In this Switzland of Amer
lea we have body of live men who
are alive to the necessity of an aggres-
sive movement, and all they want is
cooperation and encouragement.
Let US hear from you.
c. w. CHARLTON.
Pres't K. Tenn, Farmers Convention.
D. p. TEMPLE.
Late President.
c. Z. DUNN,
Recording Secretary.
j. III NICHOLSON,
j. NJ. l.. BURNETT,
SAML. l.. TILLERY,
A. I'll. HUBBARD,
JAS. F.BEALs,
e. i. CARRIGER,
j. NJ. MEEK.