The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-09-15
Farmers Congress Of the United
States Meets at st. Louis,
October Sd.
For THE CLARION

For THE CLARION.
The farmers Of the South have for several
years been discussing the Importance of a
Farmers Congress- Of the United States.
As early as 1873 the Legislature of Missis-
sippi adopted a Joint Resolution ia its favor
and making it the duty of the Governor to
appoint six delegates from the six Con-
gressional Districts and two from the State
at large The sectional and political ex-
citement was so great that it was thought
best to postpone an organization. Recently
the Legislature of Arkansas adopted reso-
buttons in favor OF the organization at st.
Louis on the Sd of October, the time OF
hOlding the Fair.
1t is impossible to overestimate the value
of this movement to the farmers OF our
whole country, especially is this true OF the
South, where unfortunately we have few
State organizations for the encouragement
of agriculture. The truth is that nothing
will so effectually destroy all sectional
feeling as this annual meeting of 800 or
more farmers representing every Congress
ional District in the Union. All this pref
udice between the farmers of the two sec
tions will vanish when they are brought
face to face, and learn that although raising
different products they are one in interest
and must sustain the same measures Of
public policy. immigration and capital
from the North will follow when the people
are better known to each other. The
Southern and Northern farmer will be
greatly benefited by the annual show of
agricultural machinery at the exhibitions
aud we shall soon see more of it used in
Southern farming. Useful and valuable
information will be collected and dissent
mated at each annual session.
We will not pretend to even give an out
line of the great questions that will he
under consideration by this Congress. We
know this, that among other important
questions, that of securing weekly reports
from the growing crops will be considered. |
The cotton planter is deeply interested in
knowing the product of cotton aud the (
worlds consumption. He wants to know |
the area planted, and the condition of the /
crop from the time the seed is placed in the |
ground until it is gathered. The corn and /
wheat grower OF the East is interested in /
knowing the area in corn and wheat South,
the product, and also all facts in reference
to these crops in all parts of the Union,
There the most vital aud the most inter
esting questions to the farmer now and in
the future will come under the thoughtful
consideration of earnest and patriotic men.
a. 70 fhn ,lat. q ri
the exhibitions to be held at the annual
meetings are the inventive talent and me-
ehanical skill of the country, these fairs
ire the best means of educating and en-.
arging the views of cur people. Our farm
,rs want to know and should know what
progress theil brother farmers are making
other sections, and what Others can do
hey will do
Our delegates in the Congress can easily
how that the Northern or European immi- {
rant need not necessarily be brought in !
with the producers of cotton. |
ngar or tobacco. They have been educated
system OF diversified agriculture and {
hey can proitably pursue this course in $
he South. The policy of raising all home I
upples is just what our interests demand !
nd their system will be followed by Others. b
We learn also that the Congress will con. a
der aud recommend to the Legislature Of t
le different States plan for collecting i'm l
ortant agricultural statistics and to SECURE /
Enable weekly reports OF the craving crops, Il
specially OF cotton; ia the annual statis- o
cs we VIII have data by which the farmer
IA easily see the difference in prosperity le
hen diversified farming is pursued, and o
mere only one crop Is ralsed, and also the tt
Improvement in tha fertility ofth soil. m
The JDtiHaDap nff ls., ~ h,
1ttlng up and sustaining agricultural asso- dt
atiGns in all the States a.ld counties of the
nlted States IL not to be overlooked, these
ate and county associations should have
eIr meetings and exhibitions every wear.
"a IN this way we see the value of assoeia-
d effort at our homes ra
The truth Is this Congress should bear to ha
e states and county associations the same at
latlons that our learned Universities Dc, IN
T o1ReF educational establishments. In
her words we ought to ba-e there TIE as
nolea wisdom End experience of the pr
liou III eVtsry department of husbandry o'
10. .he present generation will see and the
xt fully realize the benefits of this policy Ia
one can donbt who has watched Ne rapid il
lrch in scientific and practical farming in 40
2 last twenty years. W
The farmers are not blind to the fact that
~ constitute large majority of the Gel
nerlcan people and they begin to- SEQ the sec
eesslty of using great, if not controlling ow
Wer over the legislation Of the country. Lar
e craftsmanship of the pillow and the in
rkshop is to be brought to the front and III
statesmen of to-day who are not awake q.
the demands Of the hour will be sent in %"
retirement. mo
The establishment OF Agricultural Col I
es in all the States, and the diffusion Of Ma
'wledge among the people on all agricul- as
al subjects by the public press and ba
rnals devoted to the cause have brought !,
ut great change in public sentiment u
o the editor OF the "Mississppian" (now .or
senior editor OF THE CLARION. the Ma
ners OF Mississippi owe a debt of graft ma
e they can never cancel Before the r
!, he brought his powerful and ever in, oro
initial pen to the subject Of the flrst = :
Iement for agricultural reform ever -"
ie N TIE state. He gave his aid to the 'ari
he establishment of the "PIanters Con- tow
ton OF the South" This was a most mill
'essiul organization and promised the A
,eeS' results put Ike every thing of the Of s.
!, psrlshed by the war. Now in this for
t to establish Farmers Congress he i ,Oi
!, long ago. battling for tb tne aays OF aFec
ions But | would be doing violence e and
own Q sense of right, and great Injustice Til
! the newspaper men Of Mississippi NOT set,e
knowledge the debt-mountain high SON
farmers owe them. Week after week = :,
columns have been filed with editori- = =
I'D selected articles to encourage the eAel
'heFn farmer when all seemed gloom and 'icin
ar. They have accomplished more for ular
people than their Legislatures and the Soho
srnors, and to their labors alone can we Ro
bute that spirit of improvement and n.or
ress that to-day animates our whole -
" FARMER. b,sb
} THE caIapED uomn Will
- cute
s County DemOcratie-Consarvo4 the h
Executive Committee. With
and