Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-09
FARMERS CONGRESS.
Address of Thomas J. HudsOn, Its
President, TO she Farmers or the
United States.

The constitution adopted by the Farmers
Congress Of the United States at st. Louis
in October, 1881, makes It the duty of the
President to make known to the farmers Of
the Union the plan and objects to be accom-
plished by the organization.
The Congress is to hold annual sessions
at such time and place as may be deter
mined by a majority of its members. It is
composed Of one delegate from each Of the
Congressional districts, one from each OF
the Territories and one from every State
Agricultural COLLEGE. The delegates are
appointed by the Governors of the States,
unless the State agricultural associations
should prefer to elect them. The Governors
of the States aed Territories and the United
States Commissioner of Agriculture are ex
officio members.
1t has long been thought of vital impor-
lance that there should be a national
organization of the farmers, and that it
should be composed Of representatives from
every part Of the Union. The Congress
now organized brings the farmers of the
States and Territories into one council.
Here all questions affecting the agricul-
tnral interest can be considered and
discussed and the farmers' wishes ascer-
tanned.
The world is looking with intense interest
at the wonderful growth and mighty in
huence OF America in the development OF
the human race. Mankind sees with aston
ishment its rapid extension OF empire, its
accumulation OF population, the cOnstruc-
ton OF It's great network OF railroads, its
noble rivers aud lakes as highways Of trade,
the extent, variety and value OF it's manu-
features, its mines of gold, silver, copper,
coal and iron-and above all that, while we
bring from one section food for the world,
from another we bring the feecY staple with
which to clothe mankind.
II the mind cannot compute the wealth
and commercial power of American agricul-
ture now, what win it do in the coming
years? 1t Is only short time since 1t settled
the question of resumption and threw the
balance Of trade on this side the Atlantic.
Out Of nearly nine hundred millions OF ex-
ports, seven hundred and thirty millions
were the products of the soil. These facts
have directed the minds Of all thinking men
to the future of this great industry. The men
OF capital, the manufacturer, the merchant,
the professional man and men Of all pur-
suits now watch with the greatest anxiety
the prospect Of the growing crops as com
pared with former seasons, and calculate
the probable influence on the finances of
the country.
The grest question with the American
farmer Is, while new lands are being opened
and millions OF immigrants are coming 10
add to the volume of our products, what is
to be the effect on prices, and what policy
Is best to maintain the supremacy Of Amer
lean products in the markets of the world,
and at the same time to lessen the toll and
increase the comforts OF the farmers.
If, then, Federal taxation in the way of
import duties and internal revenue laws,
imposes unequal burdens upon the capital
and labor employed in agriculture, It is
great wrong, aud the Congress will suggest
q remedy for this injustice.
II it is shown that agriculture is unproft-
able In any section OF the country for tie
want of wise legislation, and labor wasted
for want OF agricultural education, and a
knowledge OF the improved machinery en-
ployed to save labor, and the improved
methods in filling the soil, then it should be
the policy OF the government to disseminate
information and encourage everywhere a
higher standard of farming.
IL the material progress of the country
depends upon agriculture, the legislation Of
the States aud General Government should
give it equal and exact justice, and in the
administration of both it should be the
policy to impress upon the farmers boys
and girls that this is the first and nOblest
calling of man, demanding superior mental
training and the highest education.
Much has already been done in this direc-
tiOn by the action OF the Federal and State
Governments, but much more remains to be
done. Perfect justice and relief will come |
only when this interest uses it's power in the |
councils OF the Republic. Remembrance
and petition will be made in vain unless
there is perfect union of all who TIL the |
soil, and the power OF its millions with the
ballot is used to direct our legislation.
1t is believed that the deliberations Of the
Congress viii have not only a happy inlu-
euce upon all our industries, but the annual
~ OF fho
North and the South, the East and the West,
will aid in the complete restoration and |
maintenance Of the kindest relations be-
tween all sections of the Union.
To make the Congress a success and the
organization perm anent requires that every
farmer should put his shoulder to the
wheel. His silence is fatal, and his policy
longer. Here is TO be found the cause Of
all his troubles, and why his voice is I'M
known in the government of his country,
where he has the power, but not the will, to
protect himself. There is nothing to an
tagonize the farmers who meet in this coun-
ell. They are bound together by common
interests, and will support the same meas
ures Of public policy.
For the extraordinary progress made in
every department OF agriculture in the last
twenty years we are greatly indebted to the
public press. Day after day aud week
after week the newspaper has brought to
the farm all that could be known of
progress in scientific or practical hus-
bandry.
In governments less popular than ours,
great reforms are never brought about until |
the rulers are ma de to feel "the might that
slumbers In a peasants arm" But ours,
while emphatically government of the
people, yet reform is never accomplished
until political leaders know the will of the |
people, and that their will must be obeyed.
The farmer wants no class legislation-de-
mands no bounties-but for long number
OF years he has felt the injustice of Federal
taxation and the indifference of ate legis-
lators He has again and again asked why 1t |
Is that commerce and manufactures re-
qure 80 much at enton sud protection, and
agriculture is left without either, and know
ing only the COVE nment by It's burdens.
Why the manufacturers should be so clcse-
lY watched and tenderly nursed, when the |
farmer, who raises the cotton and the wool |
to clothe mankind, and the wheat, the corn
and the meat tc feed the human family,
should have none OF the care and attention
OF government. The mai oritv OF the peo-
pie are farmers, and have themselves alone |
to blame for this condition of things.
Union and concert of action through Ma |
tional and State associations is the only /
remedy
0IabcIul W tuO pOlibIChl press anu 10 JHb 4
Industrial and agricultural journals for the |
valuable information disseminated on the /
great questions in which the farmers are in |
terested, we invoke their aid in making |
known the objects of the Farmers Con |
gress, and to direct attention to the time |
and place OF the next meeting 1t was the |
intention to have at each annual meeting of 1
the Congress an exhibition of everything l
raised or grown on the farm, agricultural |
machinery and manufactures of all kinds. |
In the future. foreign manufacturers will /
doubtless be invited to exhibit side by side |
with domestic goods, and then the farmers
can see how much additional price they pay /
TO foster other branches OF industry.
The great Fair at st. Louis commences /
three days after the next meeting, and It is |
u understood that exposition will be of great 1
Interest to the farmer and stock-grower.
THoS. j. HUDSON,
President Farmers Congress.
Mysteries, melancholy symptom
serious monthly troubles, are cured by the /