The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1884-02-21
70 THE FARMERS.

Interests of the
Country.
The Ultimate Aim and Purpose Of the Asso-
ciation--What II Needed, and What
They Nust Have.
The following address to the far
mers of the United States has been
issued by the president Of the Ma
tioLal Agricultural Congress, Col.
Robert Beverly, of Virginia. II is a
paper of much Importance, not only
to the farmer, but to every citizen OF
the republic. We commend 1t to the
careful perusal of our readers.
THE ADDRESS.
At the recent meeting of the Ma
tional Agricultural Congress. at Lou.
isviIIe, KY, honored by election to
the presidency Of that body, duty
devolves upon me of issuing this
brief address explanatory Of the aims
and purposes of the organization;
this earnest appeal to every farmer
in the union 70 extend to US his ac-
ton, cordial sympathy and co-opera-
tion. Everything which can affect
the dignity or prosperity Of agricul-
ture is subject Of national import
ance, and is entitled to the respect
full attention of the government OF
the nation, 80 often voluntarily de-
clared to be the government of the
people, by the people, and for the
people," yet the fact is utterly and
scornfuily ignored that the tillers Of
the soil are a clea- majority Of all
the people.
The ultimate aim and purpose of
the Nationa. Agricultural Congress
is twofold: First, to arouse agricul-
turists themselves to a realization of
this great fact; and, secondly, to en-
force recognition of it upon the
representatives Of the people who
have been delegated to administer
the state and national governments.
1t is q fact which admits of no dis
pute that no prominent and infuen-
tial statesman in any department of
the national government, either pos
sesses or apparently desires TO pos
sess even superficial knowledge OF
in any Of its aspects. re-
lations or interests. This great busl-
ness, by which majority of all the
people live, and through which all
have their bread, is practically un-
represented in any department Of the
peoples government.
In the executive branch they have
q commissioner, who ranks only with
the clerks of other departments; in
the senate they have one, and in the
house of representatives twenty-sev-
en- members in body of more than
800. When we propose to remedy
this improper, unreasonable and mn
Just state of affairs, we are scornfully
told s'the word agriculture is not in
the constitution of the United States.
We might retort, neither is the word
sslawyer." We might very properly
reply, if then, the word agriculture
is not in the constitution Of whom we
are a majority, then we mean to put
it there. If as a class We possess nc
rights, as a majority nevertheless, we
possess all rights and all powers un-
der the constitution and the govern
ment as they stand. In order that
agriculture may be placed upon an
equitable fooling in the executive
branch of the government, it is be
lieved and we should demand, that il
should be represented In the cabine,
by minister of equal influence and
dignity, with all other constitutions
advisers Of the president. That such
is now the case, it 10 idle to pretend
Farmers of America, we put it to yor
that it is your bounden duty to your
selves and to YOUR posterlty to use
the power which belongs to you to
enforce this just recognition OF YOU
dignity and your rights. We arc
fifty seven per cent. of the population
of the United States, we need sucf
organizations as shall awaken us tt
q comprehension of the habitual sub
ordination of our interests to those
OF every other class, producing ant
non producing. Such organization
and such intelligent comprehension
of our situation as will secure a pro
per representation to us in the exec
utive and Legislative branches OF tn
government, national and state, un
der which we live, is one of the prim
objects Of our organization. 1t /
only by and through effective organ
ization in every county in every stat
that we can hope to act intelligent
together to obtain practical recogni
tion Of our political powers and on
political rights. Let your presen
representative be made to know tina
some OF the most extensive and In
portant interests Of agriculture al
to day seriously imperiled by the
failure or refusal to provide remedie
adequate to the danger; that yo
look to them and expect of them
provide proper and sufficient appr'
priations Of the public funds to pr
tect the animal industries Of IL
country from perpetual menace an
Imminent danger Of contagious di
eases, constitutional qualms to I'll
contrary Notwithstanding. Let the
know, also, that the agriculture