The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-03-25
Andersp,s gute1liget1ter.
FARMERS COLUMN,
@~ Communications from our Farmers
on any matter pertaining to agriculture,
are respectfully solicited for this column.
The Agricultural Convention at Colum.
bia.

The Agricultural Convention at Colum-
bia.
Editor Of the LnteNigencer:
In the call for the Agricultural Con-
vention at Columbia on the 23rd day of
April, there is furnished much food for
thought and sincere investigation. AL
though farmer and in earnest sympa-
thy with every movement which promises
relief from the expressions and adverse
circumstances which surround the farm.
ing population of South Carolina, yet is
there not danger of mistaking the means
for the accomplishment Of purpose so
desirable? If we constitute seventy six
per cent. of the population of the State,
and "do not govern it, nor are the laws
administered in our interests, and few
are passed for our benefit" none are re-
sponsible for it except the farmers them.
selves. Where an election of the law.
making powers occurs as often as it does
with us, nothing but failure to unite
together by the farmers themselves could
possibly bring about and perpetuate the
state of things thus complained of.
Will the proposed Convention remedy
this evil? Even if it should adopt
measures contemplating the control of
legislation and the State government, the
making and administering the laws, is it
probable that the farmers could be in
duced to stick together, and cary into
effectaal operation such measures? If
the future is to be Judged by the past, We
would answer most emphatically, no.
And if the farmers may meet and formu-
late policy for the government of the
State, then why may not the laborers do
the same thing? Are they not sufficient
" numerous if united to control elections
and consequent legislation And indeed
much might be said in reference to each
class of citizens that go 10 make up the
population of our State.
If agriculture Cannot rise with out car
rying every other interest with it," it is
Just as certain that farming cannot suffer
without every other interest suffering
with it. It is the basis of all other voca'
tions, the foundation of the structure,
and yet other vocations seem to be help
full 10 successful farming. What would
farming be without the merchant for the
exchange of commodities between differ
ent sections and countries? Glass legis.
lation, the assumption of authority and
the administration of the laws and gov.
ernment, by class or classes, and in their
own interest, to the detriment of others,
has ever been baneful curse and enemy
to Republican government. Every class
which goes legitimately to make up our
society is dependent, in greater or less
degree, upon the others, and the good of
society demands that their several and
varied interests should be encouraged
and protected in the enactment and ad-
ministration of our laws. If our Legis-
lators and officers fail to recognize the
interest of the farmers, and permit it to
suffer, with as large an agricultural popu.
lation as the State boasts, it would be an
easy matter by union of effort to fill their
places with men thoroughly competent
who would respect the interest and wishes
of so large a majority of their constitu.
ents. How can this be done? By
County massmeetings and State Con-
vention? Or would We not more likely
succeed if each Township or community
had its local club or organization, where
the sympathy and interest of every far
mer could be reached, and where the
enactment and administration of laws
could be impartially discussed by the
farmers in their relation to agriculture,
and then these local organizations could
and would formulate themselves into
such County and State organizations as
the exigences and interest of agriculture
should require. "Be sure you are right,
then go ahead" and "make haste slow
ly," are maxims that are appropriate to
all times and circumstances, and appear
to the writer to be especially appropriate
to the farmers of South Carolina in their
present embarrassed condition.
The writer of this article would not be
understood as opposing the Convention
called in April, or as setting up his judg-
ment in opposition to others older and
much wiser, but SO merely suggesting
probable difficulties, and with the sincere
conviction that no organization can unite
and hold the farmers together, that does
not establish itself in every community,
and thereby enlist the sympathy and
interest of individuals. In addition to
this, any unwise or impolitic effort by
the farmers of the State to relieve our
agricultural interest from the difficulties
which embarrasses us, that should prove
failure, would only tend to make our
condition immensely worse than it is.
If enough patriotism and statesman
ship shall be assembled in the approach
ing Convention, to find a remed, for our
evils, and successful mode of applying
the remedy, no one in this broad land
will bid it more hearty God-speed than
an humble FARMER.
Sensible Suggestions.
1I;ll, eo16 of confe q nnort oavs q hnut