, 1873-08-09
THE WINCHESTER MEETING.
Speeches Of w. g. Flagg,
President,
And S. NJ. Smith, Secretary, Of
tho State Farmers Asso-
citation.

From Our 0,o. Correspondent.
WINCHESTER, ILL.,, Aug. 8, 1873.
Yesterday aont you brief dispatch giving q
rapid synopsis Of tho upcochea Of tho 1Ion. W.
G. Flagg, President of tho State Farmers Asao-
ciation, and Of s. II. Smith, Secretary of tho
samo. III the brief interval botwoon tho o1oso Of
tho BpoocheB and tho closing in Of tho day, it
wns impossible to got OF full report OF these
important uttorancea. I1o President defined
for tho first tiIno what ho consilers tile ultimate
object Of the new moyomont in tho Stato Of Ili-
noia; and tho Secretary marked out tho fnrul-
era paths to reform, and declared tho views Of
tho leaders Of tho party from political point Of
Wow.
Scott County, Us tho lust Of those that havo
organized tile now party, is worthy Of moro than
passing mention. 1t is ono Of tho oarlioat
nettlod counties in tho State, mud tho smallest in
area. Tho majority Of tho curly HettlorB caluu
from Aoilt1cky, Tennessee, and tic Cnrolinaa,
anu are to-day among tho wonlthioBt and most
independent 1nombors OF tho agriculturtsts of
tho Northwest. Tho later settlers prusent q
curious contrast to those alroaly described.
They live mostly in 1og-cabinB thor surround-
ings aro lowly and dishoartoning in the extreme;
their lands aro heavily mortg gagod and they arc
financially in almost hopeless condition. They
settled parts contain aomo of tho finest stock
farnlH III tho stato. Tho ontire county ia beauti-
full and diversified in its acenory .and fruitful in
its aoil; timbor is frequent and large, and tho
general aspect Of tho lund is uneyon. Water is
plenty, fruit abundant, and tho grapo is pressed
into wine.
Winchester City, tho connty'-acat, is on the
Rockford, Rock island l. st. Louis nai1road, 8
miloB from tho Illinois River, and bonsts popu-
lntion Of 2,U00 or thoreabouta. 1t is woll-
built city, and apparently contains NJ largo
number Of tho bottor class Of residenco-buill-
ings as any city Of similar size III Southern IlIi-
noa.
BrErnEN 4. DOUGLAS
hero commenced business lfo, arriving in tho
fall OF 1887, with but fow pennies in his pocket.
He waB first elected from this county to tho
Legislature, and thence commenced his we'll
known career.
The Scott County Farmors' Club Fms or
gnnized in May, 1S73-its officers consisting Of
President, Vico-Presidont, Secretary. aud 1roas-
uror. There are altogether twelve Precinct or
Township Organizations, or Clubs, subordinate
to this County Organization, or Club, with q
membership OF 600. Tho County Club muota
quarterly. 1ts monboya aro nlou who formerly
belonged to botll political parties, who hayo now
united for the purpose, as thoy declare it, Of ad
vancing their common interests. Tho menabora
claim TINT tho Farlnora Movement holds con-
trolling power in Scott County.
T1is
COUNTY OnQANIZATION
having determined OIL an informal gather
ing Of its me1nbors, and all others
who cared to join in baskct-
picnic, h1cd the oVont to come off at Riggs
uto,o' ,ms,, ooneati! epo' nillcS nos'n Oh
Hincheasor, on tAe I'm fist.; and lasued postors
inviting mechanics, laborots, and all classes of
citizens who hato corruption and aro able to
,,ad"r ta a,,as., ~ ~, % ,noa - sooAl sllao
..4 Wv oA"on W 'na o''.'toos' " 'to !aub'o
~ -. p.as1 .un'l ut'on.s' "1u Aul'es "na 'ofAs'
lashlohoa ssylo ol pro'lalng o eistlnguBhed ora
tor. and they invited Gov. Palmer to bo tho
spokesman. Tho Governor could not accept;
this was farmors' holiday. aud tho President
wore tue mon best acquainted with tho topics to
interest thom, thoy should bo invited. TheY
Mo1o and asGaptaa and aa it. turns cut took
sort OF ,.,,,o,,., .,u.
;n,o,ao, ~ amsmou IT, aarraa, nnnmns,
les, hints, innuondoes aud doubts Of the past
couple of months.
Tho rroye vns thronrnd with hnrsos ond huc
6'os, 10y ~ ~ ciloltso iiooo, tnu WIN taluaIa
anu their 1amllcs. oute1do, the sun snlote tho
lofty shade rendered respiration delicious and
loafluE Iplghtful, Tho number of pooplo preu-
ant wos nrohnb1v not 1naa tlap dn1o
Flaws Hoa+otfI frotr ~ 9ro,, ,-,,,G+oe
I!uSs ne".oo 4aoin tno ltcsas Matsluce-
tenta, -, Ior tno bnle OF lonaonauo 9ho
Aucl llKe fo1Feanmonte, dottou the grounds
a graud Btaud occupied the contro of tho
grove, and In front Of it, on natural dccliy-
itv were ranged tho aeata for thu n,1t1ience nj
rc,,rI, r1nnka o,uo1,;thcntro fouhion =
a t},n ,'rosnt nr',o ~ ta,,a hra,r,+ II .ho;,,