The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-01-06
The Farmers Congress of the United
States.

States.
We are glad to know that the farmers
of the country are at last awakened to
the Importance of having an annual
council of their representative men.
We are reliably informed that the lead
ing minds of the North, South and West,
devoted to the growth of this great in
terest, are quietly but actively at work,
and in 1881 We are to witness the es-
Enlistment on permanent basis of an
Agricultural Congress. The plan is TO
have one representative from each Con-
gressional district of the United States.
The Congress to meet annually and to
have an exhibition of the farm products
and manufactures of the country at the
time and place of meeting. Great
changes have taken place in the public
mind in the last twenty years as to
Agricultural education and its improve
ment both in this country and Europe.
The best evidence of this is to be found
in the establishment of colleges and
schools to educate the farmers in the old
and new world, and the movements
everywhere made by enlightened gov
ernments to stimulate and encourage
the tillers of the soil. In this country
the time is most favorable for the es-
Enlistment of a Farmers Congress.
The causes hitherto dividing the two
sections of this great country no longer
exist. With productions varying in
character through many degrees of lati-
tude, the farmer in the South has a
feeling in sympathy with the farmer OF
the North and West.
We cannot appreciate the magnitude
of this great industry without taking
our maps and surveying the vast area
of territory, and the millions of our peo-
pie engaged in cultivating the soil.
When we glance over the country
between the Atlantic and Pacific and
the Gulf States, and consider the varie-
tv, extent and commercial value of its
annual production, we are astonished
that our farmers have never organized
for the promotion of their common in
terests.
When our legislators short time
ago were in great trouble on financial
questions it was the cotton of the South,
the wheat, corn, flour and food of the
great West that settled the vexed ques-
ton, and gave to America the balance
of trade.
1t is believed and hoped that this
Farmers Congress will exert happy
influence in restoring fraternal feelings
between the two sections. 1t would be
impossible for 800 delegates coming
from all sections Of the country, with ne
partisan views or sectional ends to &C
complish, to meet annually in council
q without making the people better known
to each other.
! The exhibitions of the varied indus
tries of the Union will give permanent
interest to the annual meetings. If the
o international expositions deserved large
= appropriations from Congress because
! of the benefits to our national industry
what must be said of these exhibition
which make known to our people tn,
: growth and prosperity of each State
The South wants immigrants anC
: capital. No agency mere potent e99ad',lht
be employed to give the 10s1er section:
8 of the country correct views of us thar
thisss .9Se ,ners' Congress. Through oul
representatives we could show the ad
vantage the South can offer the capital
list, the manufacturer and the farmer
The only hope we have of changing the
tide of Northern and European immi
, grafton is first to show as we can tha
we have not only one of the best coun
ties in the world, but that her life, liber
ty and prosperity are secured to all.
We do not wish to be thought invidi
Gus, but it is simply just to say tina
among the farmers in Mississippi whc
have rendered valuable services in The
cause of agriculture in the past, and who
are devoting their energies to the pres
ent important movement, the name o
Hon. Thomas J. Hudson, of Benton
county, is entitled to prominent men
ton: