The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
FARMER TILLMAN.
He MAKES A ROUSlNG SPEECH AT
AIKEN, S. c.

In Which he Tells What lie KNOWS 4pou.
the Farmers Movement, and Makes it
Convinent to Touch OH Matters not Con-
nected with Farming-A Speech Which
Speaks for Itself.
By request of 4 large list of citizens,
of all classes, Capt. B. r. Illlman az
dressed a large and enthusiastic audi
ence in the Court House at Aiken
Saturday.
Can't. T. w. Whatley was called to
the Chair, and stated the object OF the
meeting, namely: TO lister to one
who had the interests OF the farmers
thoroughly at heart, one who had made
the subject study, and was posted in
every detail. The following is an out
line of what Mr.. Tillman said:
FELLOW CITIZENS Coming as 1 do,
from distance of only seventeen miles
from this place, it is natural to sup
pose that am no stranger to you.
1t is needless for me to inform you
that I am nothing but farmer. am
not accustomed to eXtemporaneouS
speaking having delivered my first one
on yesterday, l regret that have not
speech for you to-day, as | am liable TO
wander off and make stray shots: II l
did the subject justice, l would keep
you here until night. AS the humble
originator of the farmers movement |
have responded to your invitation and
will give you as full an exposition OF
it's purpose as I can without worrying
you.
It was first called the Tillman move
ment and then the farmers movement.
Tillman was not responsible for this,
that was only called so with view OF
raising antagonism to him by stating
that it was only to agrandiZe hlmself:
The farmers movement swallowed
mine. He then gave a history of his
movement at Bennettsvilie, and its
origin at that place and its conduct
since, through the columns OF the
News and Courier. He spoke OF the
objections made to him that he was
too aggressive and hit too hard, but
explained that in face Of the fact that
his audience at Bennettsville by their
hearty applause showed their thorough
sympathy with the movement and the
ideas he advanced, but notwithstand-
ing this the political farmers who were
largely in the majority among the dele
gates sat down on him, although many
had promised their support and it is no
wonder that he had not been careful OF
the feelings of these men since, he was
sore with that class, did not care who
he hit nor where, but has told the
truth as he saw it regardless OF the
consequences. If you doubt my SIN
cerity in my desire to benefit the farm
ing interests of the State, hope to
convince YOU thoroughly before |
close. Mr.. Tillman then dwelt at
length upon the management and
small value to the farming interests OF
the South Carolina College, as it was
now conducted and created great
laughter by comparing that institu-
ton to e classical and literary kite
with very small tail, upon which
was written Agricultural. He eX-
planned that the action of the trustees
who were composed at that time OF
lawyers, with. one exception, had been
: the sole cause of his seeming animus
against the legal fraternity; said that
some of his best friends were lawyers
and that he had no animosity against
any class; he had hopes that when the
LAWYERS Of the State examined into the
question, as he trusted they would do,
they would all be found favorable to
the establishment of separate Agrl-
cultural College, for he felt satisfied
that the ignorance among the mass OF
the farmers, and their. prejudice
against what is known as "book farm
ing" would cause many of them to op..
pose the college, because they doubted
the possibility of educating a farmer
in the college. He proceeded to show
that history of all institutions of this
character which did not require work
from the students upon a college farm
prove them to be failures and not
patronized by farmers, and emphasized
the fact by giving statistics showing
that whereas so per cent. of the gradu-
ates Of the Michigan College returned
to the farm not more than five per
cent. OF classical and literary students
ever followed that occupation. He
dwelt upon the necessity of farmers
getting out Of the old rutS and claimed
that without scientific training and a
study of the fundamental principles
underlying agriculture, it was useless
to hope for progress. He read many
extracts from the letter of DR.. Thorn
well to Governor Manning, all going
to prove that that distinguished edu-
Gator urged the necessity and value Of
practical training adapted to the pur-
suit which the man was to follow, and
said that if the dead could rise DR..
Thornwell would rebuke the present
trustees and those in power for so
strenuously opposing a separate and
distinct intuition for farmers. After
referring to this injustice to the masses
by, requiring them to pay taxes to sup
port the institution and establishing
free tuition contrary to law, he pro-
ceeded to comment upon DR.. Battles
recent address, urging the education Of
all the classes in one institution as
best for the farmers, and desired to
know how this could be shown or
proven when less than 5 per cent. OF
the graduates of such institution ever
went to farming, and as proving the
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