The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-30
The Farmers Convention.

feet = last week we criticised some OF the
propositions Of the recent Farmers's
Convention held IN Richmond, predicated
naoa a statement OF the Richmond cor.
respondent of the Petersburg IndeG-Ap-s
peal An intelligent and enthusiastic agz
riculturist. who takes great interest in
every moyement and suggestion intended
to encourage u higher material develop
ment and more scientific. and profitable
fartaing and who was present at the Farm
ers Convention informs us that the cores
pondent was mistaken-tllat his eommu-
nicatiolr was dated on the 18th, and the
conclusions Of the convention stated, when
that ody did not convene until the even
ing Of that day and only adjourned the
day after SO he thinks the correspondent
drew largely upon his imagination for his
statements.
The gentleman referred to says that
there NAV have been several gentlemen
present as delegates more concerned about
the political possibilities Of the next State
canvass than they were about the primary
objects of the Convention, but if such were
their aspirations they found no encourage
ment from the delegates. 1t was notice.
able fact. hs stated, that where political
purpose was suspected, OF indication glY
en- of a desire to discuss political topics,
there was spontaneous protest from the
| great mass of the delegates, plainly lnti-
mating that such line of remark was for
eign to the objects Of the Convention and
in contravention of the purpose and spirit
of its convocation. 1t was the initial
meeting Of the body, and it was consis-
tent with the usage OF some political as
pirants to be there to watch the turn OF
things. to ascertain whether there might
not be some political capital made out OF
it. There was no rule by which they could
have been excluded and no manner OF
knowing what would be said before the
discussions were entered upon. The feel
ing, however, manifested was sufficient
evidence to all such aspirants that they
had mistaken their place. and that hereaf-
ter there would be no excuse for their at
tendance for other than the legitimate oh
iects contemplated in the call of the Con
vention.
Onr friend seemed to be thoroughly con
WINGED that the deliberations Of the Con
vention will result in good he assured
us that the prime movers in the call ant
those who mean to see that the movement
is not perverted to any other purpose thai
the promotion Of the agricultural Interests
Of the State, are thoroughly enlisted II
the work the Convention has assumed. L
is needless for US to say that this Journa
will second heartily and earnestly any an(
every suggestion and plan looking to TIT
betterment of the material condition o
Virginia. This has been one OF the ann
which has controlled our efforts fdr NOR
| than decade. We have urged the fnrm
ers of the State to unity their endeayors t.
promote the farming interests and as on
. Of the essential means to such result, t.
| have larger and more potential represen
{ tation in the legislation of the Common
: wealth. They have not been true to them
selves and the great interest they repre-
2 sent, in the past. They have allowed par
tv necessities and the necessities OF partl
: zan aspirants q paramount place IN al
| State affairs. and have been used to piac
g in position as representatives those VIII
g never have serious thought about the
g farming interests or the material progress
: Of the State. PartlZan politics has been til
2 controlling influence in everything and tn
S enginery of party so directed that the grea
e farming interests of the Commonwealth
t have had to suffer because there has loeei
e no proper representative in the laW-mak
f ing power of the government.
f In the future meetings and dellberatlon
S of this farmers association, we trust, EN-
nj phasis will be given to its objects, and tina
Ell the wide field Of usefulness which lies De
e fore it, will be properly utilized, SO as t
h inspire universal confidence and give tn
y assurance that at least the farmers OF WI
: ginia have been aroused to the importanc
# of taking the direction of their own IL
II terests in their own hands, and SO shapin
e them as to dignity their occupation an
place it above the reach of the selfish hucF
sters in politics.