Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-09-24
SnnSrille &t'eeklg Chronicle,
WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER q, 1873.
NASHVILLE LETTER.
Adjournment of Farmers Convention
Fred Douglas Speech.
NASHVILLE. Sent. 1879.

NASHVILLE, Sept. 1873.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: The Convention
of Farmers adjourned on Wednesday
night. The difficulties to which referred
IN former dispatch, were all adjusted and
theutmost harmonyiprevailed. The trouble
was that few indiscreet men were under
the hallucination that the convention in
tended to supplant the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, when, in fact almost every farm
er outside of this organization was in favor
of it and disposed to sustain it. East and
West Tennessee were not fully represent
ed, but there was q large delegation from
Middle Tennessee. OF course it could not
be expected of this body, at its first meet
ing, many of its members wholly ignorant
of its real purposes, and unprepared to act
promptly, to accomplish but little more
than permanent organization and lay
the ground work for future operations.
This was done, think and L am satisfied
immensegood to the agricultural interests
of Tennessee will follow.
An incident of more than usual impor-
lance and significance occurred in this
city on the 18th. 1t was the visit of Fred.
Douglass, the head and front of the
colored race on this continent. He had
been invited by his people to attend their
annual Agricultural and Mechanical Fair,
and to deliver an address on the OCCASION !
/ could not forego the privilege of going
out to the grounds and hearing his speech |
1 was unfortunate in not getting there in
time to hear his opening remarks. L found |
one vast mass of colored citizens, pretty |
smartly mixed with the whites, and the |
most orderly crowd L ever witnessed, You
f1,,tf
guished speaker, for such he is. l was in |
debted to the courtesy of some of the col |
ored people for opening way to the stand |
and soon was in close proximity to the |
speaker and had an excellent chance to |
Scrutinize his person and to hear his adj |
dress, - ,tMA- h.i..
Fred. Douglass has commanding form, |
six feet and upwards in his boots, pleas
ant face, an Intelligent expression of the |
eye and q heavy. suit of frosted hair, which |
he throws back in great profusion. He |
stands erect, looks you full in the face and |
bears himself in graceful and dignified |
manner. l was impressed with his gem
tleness, his modesty and his gentlemanly |
bearing. He made many friends in this |
respect, as happen to know.
That he is man Of ability none but
prejudiced mind would deny. He will |
compare favorably with The foremost men
of Tennessee, either as a clear, logical and |
His elocution is almost faultless, and his
language chaste and well chosen. He in
dulges in no slang phrases lin no vul-
garisms. The most of his speech was writ
ten out, but he did not confine himself to
it. At times he was exceedingly eloquent,
and chained you with his beautiful flights.
His theme was the agricultural interests
and the dignity of labor, and say to you,
candidly, that never heard handsomer
tribute paid to agriculture. In doing so he
drew largely upon his fine imagination,
and quoted from the best poets of antiqui-
ty. 1t would be impossible to reproduce |
any of his elegantly formed sentences
touching this matter. No doubt you will
see the whole of his speech in the city pa
pers. He ted his race, in strains Of the
most stirring pathos, that there was one
that was the soil. That was their friend.
Here they could confide. their hopes and
bury their sorrows Then, lifting up his
face towards the heavens, he remarked
that the broad disc of the sun spread
over them, and his rays fell upon all colors
and conditions of life alike.
-7- He stroye hard to urge his people to
stick to the soil. He told them plainly |
that they were too much inclined to run
der their time and money, If they want
ed to succeed they must come down to work
and stick to 1t. Er
One thing j especially liked in his adj
dress. He did all he could TO harmonic
the races, and TO produce better state of
feeling between the two. But have not
the time, nor you the space, to continue
this any further, simply remarking that
am decidly Fred. Douglass man.
ALoNZo DANTE.
- ~>.-0-
4 Nan CounI,s Tn n CoId T,oIIoron5 Dooor |