The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-24

MEssRs. EDIroRs:-At meeting of the
"Union Bridge Agricultural Club, held
April 18th, 1878, read n paper giving short
account Of some Of the Clubs organized in our
county. A writer in the Democratic 4drocdte,
Of the Sd instant, attempts to criticise il quite
severely. Now, | think il will not be requir-
cd or expected Of me to answer communl-
cation from an unknown or concealed adver-
sary. Nevertheless, ! will notice some Of his
remarks In the first place he misquotes me
puts in my mouth 'young bantling," which
is tantology, as bantling means young. Web
ster says, "bantling ia young child, an in
FAINT" He charges me with using it oppro-
briously, which think he is not warranted in
doing, forwhether the "Alpha Farmers Club
is the FIRST or last club in the county it surely
is in its infancy, as it is less than year old.
He seems to think that the club Of 1877 is
not entitled to the name Of Farmers Club,
because the principal object in its organization
was to enable its members to dispose of their
produce to the best advantage. Will any
person, who knows ought about the subject,
say that the disposing Of the produce of the
farm is not an important and legitimate sub
ject for the consideration of Farmers Club?
II is the subject that is at this moment oc-
cupying more Of the time and talents, and
causing more discussion in the Farmers Clubs
of this country, than any other. IL is the
subject that is moving the minds, and stirring
the hearts of thousands of the best men and
women Of the nation. And at the time Of the
formation Of the 1917 club, it was the most
important subject requiring the attention of
the farmere of our country.
The question OF producing crops was not,
them one Of such difficult solution as il is now.
To illustrate: Ny father, about that time,
raised from 10 acres Of land, AIS bushels Of
wheat.
He thinks it questionable whether that
Company ever had Constitution" Is he so
ignorant as TO suppose that Constitution will
give life vigor and vitality TO an organization
Of any kind? NY idea is that Constitutions
receive their life and strength from the organ
izaiion. They had laws, rules and regulations
by which they were governed. have attend
ed their meetings --when boy-and believe
business was done as correctly and promptly
rs il is in our modern Clubs.
II has been suggested that my unknown
critic is Capt. Jack, or some of his Modoc
tribe, in the lava beds ef"A Brother Farmer
and the suggestion seems the more plausible,
from the fact that he has never heard of the
s.Union Bridge Club Ifhe had been any
where in the county--on top of ground-he
must have heard of it, as the county papers,
or at least one of them, has several times
written of the Club and called the attention OF
the people TO the fact of its existence. The
remark about the geographical location OF
Union Bridge do not comprehend, but sup
pose it is meant to be witty. "cant see the
point In regard TO the s'Union Bridge
Agricultural Club" if "a Brother Farmer
will call on the Secretary or any Of the officers,
or members they will be glad to show him the
Constitution and By Laws, Journal and papers
Of the club, and try TO enable him to ascertain
whether it is iipe GLIB or dead Viper, and
if they cannot satisfy his mind on the subject,
| would refer him TO the Government at Wash
ington, as we have been in communication
with, and reporting to the Department Of
Agriculture, ever since the formation Of the
Club in 1854.
have now fired my last shot at the ModoC
unless he should come out Of his lava bed
and present bold and manly front, and q
target worth shooting at.
And now a word to the members of the Al
pha Club and have done. have no con
troversy with you. l extend to you kind,
greeting, and the open hand Of friendship, ant
thank you for the efforts you are making Il
better thecondition of the iarmerand his farm
and to elevate and improve the brotherhoo,
of man.
When / made the suggestion for you t,
change the name Of your club it was in goo,
faith and with no desire to be oflicious O
dictate. You win certainly consult your own
feelings in the matter aud do as you thinl
best. There is not much in name. Il wa
not the name of Washington that made tn
s'Father Of his Country great man, but tn
man that made Washington a great name
Jack Halyards colt was as black as n mink
yet he called it '.Snow-baR,' and it wore il
name as gracefully as if it had been "Jei.r
$. SHEPHERD.
| Cottonwood. May 18th, 1878.