The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-11-29
Farmers Congress.

:. Hudson, delivered the following address
! PREsI DENTS ADDRESS.
: Gentlemen of the Farmers Cougress-A
: the representatives of the great farming in
E terests Of the Union you have assembled I
: take counsel together.
? After a national existence of over one hun
F, dred years, this is the first erganiz4 4tIan o
farmers whose organic Aaw provides for re
! preseDtatives from all parts of the republic
II We may well congratulate ourselves upol
an event destined to leave its impress upoi
! the future of American agriculture.
We cannot estimate our high duties att
+ realize our great responsibility unless wi
map in hand We trace the boundaries Of our
great farm, stretch ng from ocean 10 oceaf
and from the BRUSH possessions on The
North to the land oil perpetual spring in the
South. We are BLESSED with the richest
soils, the greatest variety aud most val
uaple productions kuoWn to man. Here
nature has been most lavish in its gifts OF
noble rivers, upon which float an inland
commerce of almost fabulous extent and
value. Here, too, the works OF man in the
construction OF our great network OF rail
ways is on scale so extensive as to excite
the wondor of other nations. With few
miles of railroad forty ,afs ago American
en- srgy and enterprise have spanned riy-
>
West, North and South are linked together
with iron rails, whose united length is over
one hundred thousand miles.
With every character OF climate we have
everything raised in the torrid zone. We
can from one altitude feed and from another
clothe the human family. Figures but
| family tell the immense treasures brought
| BY toll from its broad acres, while commerce
and manufactures look with confidence to
| its great staples as the basis of labor and
trade.
The farmers who own and cultivate this
vast country have sent US here to consultas
to our condition nov, AMI to determine
what is best to be done to make our people
in all sections alike prosperous and happy.
Tney are watching with the most anxious
solicitude the result of your iabors, fixed in
the determination to carry out the policy
you may adopt.
If we are to measure our responsibility by
the extent Of our territory, or the millions
whose interests are coufided to US, or the
future influence of our wealth and prodac-
tious upon the developement of the human
race, the ablest mind in the world might
well distrust its ability to decide as to the
best policy to be adopted.
1t is not expected that we shall mature a |
perfect system of operation now; but with |
the progress of knowledge, the discoveries
of science, the lessons of experience, the |
collection of reliable, statistical informa- |
nation, and by closely observing the effects |
of legislation on our great industry, we will |
have charts to direct US in our future deib-
erations. Some things essential to our
safety and prosperity are conceded by all. I
Let us upon these questions be a unit IN
sentiment and action.
First in Importance is that agriculture
should be heard in the administration of
the Government-in the Cabinet at Wash
ington. Not alone as to theories about
production, the increase of products per
acre, the value of different crops, the intro
duction and distribution of new and improv
ed seeds and plants; but we want repre-
sentative there whose special training and
will enable him to point out
the evil effects of State and Federal taxation
on agriculture, as wellas the result of CONNER
cial treaties end regulations now in force or
which may be brought to the consideration
of the Government. If he finds the policy
Of the Government, either as to tie impo
sition OF taxes or commercial treaties, work
ing injury to the farmer, then to direct public
attention to the fact with suggestions as to
the remedies to be employed. L
1t is expected that our Investigations will
lead US to consider the manner, the pur- |
poses and principles of State and Federal d
taxation. In government of the people it .
s supposed that the principles of justice
md right will be omnipotent in its admin
straton. If it is found that such princi-
oles are disregarded it is our right and sol J
emn duty to proclaim the truth and to inn 6
press upon our rulers the fact that we do 8
lot beg but demand equal rights, equal JUS r
ice with equal burdens. :
Every patriot is proud of the growing !
power of our productions over the com
nerce and trade of other nations. To G
maintain this supremacy the American {
armer should be unlettered. He should /
eel no oppression or injustice. Let not his S
lands or brains be shackled. Give him the :
of good laws, with all the advaH- >
ages of modern discoveries, scientific re-
earches labor-saving machinery and les
ons from practical experiment, and all a
will be WE'LL a
Let US inaugurate this great movement
0 secure concert of action and interchange i
/ thought between tilers of the soil by 6
he adoption of some plan that will secure the
etter aud higher educationofourf farmer boys :
OF education in its narrow sense as now OH Z
aimed in our high schools and colleges, not $
hat alone taught in agricultural books and t.
,urnals or learned on the farm, but let c
aem know the great principles of political E
show them the vital importance :,
+ knowing the wants. of commerce, the :
istory of our country and institutions and y
le science of government that they may be y
tied to fill and adorn any position of high I
ublic trust. Il
Butnothing will stimulate, arouse and Y
1ucate the farmer, nothing win bring II
bout such spirit of progress and of emu h
Ition as the organization of County and l
tate Associations, where annual exhibit L
ons are held of the products of the farm,
le improved stock, home manufactures ts
nd the latest and best machinery in use. b
is certainly wise policy and our first m
uty to encourage these organizations in all -
le States and Territories and to get their 2
operation with us. While it has ever Is
cen acknowledged that our wealth and tt
are from the soil and the labor ST
nat brings forth its fruits, this truth has a
ever been 50 forced upon the public mind So
within the last decade. Agriculture has :,
iven birth to. new industries, new life and q
1ergy 20 all other pursuits, relieved the y
ablic credit and solved financial problems ~
lat long perplexed our ablest minds. u
Thile short harvests in Europe have fur dt
ished us markets for our immense surplus, m
40 new e0aDneiS CT tFaQe opened TO US, ii
ill this great change in our foreign rela- -
obs presents questions for solution that $.
ay demand the most careful thought and q
rudent action Of our farmers a year re
1anges the financial relations of the two g
smisphers Immigrants are now coming &C
7 the million with the labor and capital n,
i us. New lands are being opened, the r.
mount of our products rapidly increased, i
hile foreign consumptiOn is diminished !. =
0 guide the farmer through the difficulties u
lat may surround him in the near future ia
i'll require caution on his part and the tL
ighest craftsmanship of our rulers. ht
The new channels of trade opened have it
vakened upon the part of farmers the de- OF
summation to compete with their products ro
all foreign markets. In the great battle =,
ley are to fight for success they know - -
lat economy of labor, the best methods of ~
Ilture, cheap transportation and cheap "
,yernment will decide the contest We al
I've marked advantages over the Old ly
Torld. Unlike the States there, we have al
, barriers at our State lines. The trade II
ID intercourse between our people is not s.