The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-01

Under the circumstances L Will
speak briefly. 1t is ground for re-
joicing that we see so many farmers
from different parts of West Tennes>
see gathering for counsel in this coz
vention. Why are we here? 1t is
to effect organization. Is organiza-
ton principle of great value carry
ing with it greater success? Indeed,
it is this principle tibet stretches rail-
roads across continents, bridging great
chasms, spanning rivers, and tunnels
ing mountains. 1t is this principle,
when the rude shock of was is felt,
that enables the commanding Gener-
al to raise an army of soldiers from
floating, aimless mob to all intelli>
gent, cooperative power, hurled here
and then yonder, as best calculated
to achieve success. And when polit-
ical parties face each ether to engage
in great struggle for the admins
tration of the affairs of government
they do not ignore the value of Or
ganization. Passing on, how is it in
commercial an manufacturing pur.
suits and in professional engagements!
In each of these great departments of
life this strong principle of organized
cooperation is acknowledged and act
ed upon.
Now, shall Agriculture, upon
which every other business rests for
support, decline the rich benefits of
organization2 To deny that benefits
will accrue is to deny the plainest
truth. 1t is to assert that one is equal
to two. 1t is to assert that one far
mer can make as many useful expert
ments as one hundred-that one man
can cope with the trading public,
keeping posted as to best markets and
prices, as we'll as one hundred-and
that one man can be as powerful in
correcting excessive charges by lines
of transportation, or as powerful in
having a baneful law, that blights
agriculture, repeated, as one hundred
thousand. These are absurdities that
all are ready to discard.
There is streghth in union and co.
operation. Especially where Difficult
ties are to be faced. The Swiss guide,
in traversing the difficult passes of
the Alps, understand this. And
when he leads his party of adventure
ers to the most dangerous places on
those Alpine heights, where deceitful
snow bridges abound and where to
step upon such insecurd footing would
instantly dash one into abysses of
rock and ice below, he halts. Then
admonishing all to bear up with
courage, he ties together with rope
the entire party, so that if one makes
a misstep the the weight and strength
of all the others will save him. So
fellow>farmers, let us lash and tie
ourselves in union, co operating for
the good of each and the common
good of all. realizing that the COM
mon good of all is the individual gain
of each. One other remark here. Do
not have too many meetings and too
much machinery, lest by the weight
of these thing we break down what
we would promote. But when we do
come together in any of our meetings
let US come as bright and fresh as pos
sible, and as full OF information to i'm.
part as possible, welding all, all our
powers in behalf of the accomplish
ment of the objects of the association.
Let me next refer to diversified
farming. A full and unqualified
change to this mode of farming is
lmperatively demanded by our high
est interests in West Tennessee. And
to enable us to make the proper com.
parison between diversified farming
and the other mode, it is Of import
ance that we discover simple and
satisfactory test of agricultural
prosperity-a test that we may apply
TO section engaging in diversified
farming aud to a section not doing SO
so that we may mark how far the
different modes of agriculture. as OPP
Grating causes, produce agricultural
prosperity. or the reverse. This test
is, the price of land. 1t is the net
return made by land that makes laud
attractive OF aon-attractive aud that
regulates the price. Applying this
test to West Tennessee, we find that
lands cell low. when they sell at all
being very dull on the market-aud,
therefore. large prosperity has MT
been enjoyed in farming. Why is
thisi 1t is the lack Of Investigation
co a sufficient extent ia our farming.