The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-09-05
TIE FARMERS PICNIC.
President Cleveland Writes Brief Letter
TO the Gransers.
philadelphia Times, Aug. % }


WILLIAMS GROVE, August 2S.-Twen-
ty-four trains unloaded about $500 peo-
pie here to-day, who, with those who
tented on the grove last night and those
who arrived in carriages and other
vehicles, made the number present dur
ing the day about 1900. The arrivals
BY rail exceeded the number transported
the corresponding Tuesday of last year
nearly fifty per cent. Many were at
tracted to the picnic by the announce
ment made from time to time that
President Cleveland would be among
the visitors. All hope of his coming
was dspelled to-day by the receipt of
the following letter from him to Colonel
Thomas, dated YESTERDAY:
DEAR SIR: hope I need not assure
you that I should very much enjoy.
meeting the large representation of
farmers who will gather at Williams
Grove tomorrow (Tuesday.) [ shall
not plead confinement here by official
duties as my excuse for declining the
courteous invitations I have received to
be present at their picnic, but shall
frankly say to you that the opportunity
long contemplated to enjoystwo OF three
DAYS of rest and recreation unexpected
" presents itself in such manner that il
I avail myself of it I must foregos the
pleasure of visiting Williams Grove. I
am sure that I am not calculating too
much upon the kindness and consldera-
ton of those managing the picnic when
I believe that they will be content with
my non-attendance if I am thereby en-
abIed to improve the opportunity L am
offered to enjoy much needed rest and
freedom from official care. have heard
of the character of your exhibition and
of the large congregation OF farmers and
others interested in subjects relating to
farming which are there brought togeth-
er and the exhibits, the discussion and
the comparison of views which necessa-
rily are the accompaniment Of such Of q
meeting cannot fail to be of the utmost
use to those directly interested; and
what is useful to our people. = $SEE.< $
The reflection is an interesting and
consoling one, that in the midst of po-
litical turmoil, in the feverish anxiety OF
the marts of trade and in the rush and
hurry of financial operations, our agri-
culturists pursue the even tenor Of their
way at all times. furnishing the most
stable support of our country's pros
perity and quietly supplying the most
reliable source Of our greatness and
strength. When our farmers are pros
porous and contented the welfare and
advancement of the nation is secured.
Hoping that the picnic of 1888 will
exceed all prior ones in the eDjoyments
and benefits accorded to those IN attend
ance, l am yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
OPENING THE PICNIC.
In his address formally opening the
picnic Worthy Master Rhone congratu-
lated the Changers on the favorable
auspices under which they had been
permitted to meet. The crops had been
measurably good and the granaries well
filed. The wise policy pursued by
those entrusted with the affairs of the
government had led to the consumption
by the American people of ninety-eight
per cent. of all the products Of our
manufactures and of ninety-two per
cent. of the products of our well-culti-
waited farms. The speaker gave the
s'home market" theory q boost by
stating that this country was able to
produce everything necessary to ensure
our comfort and happiness.
Mr.. Rhone spoke at considerable
length on subjects of interest to the
farmer.
DR.. Ormsby made few remarks in
dorsing agricultural experiment stations,
when j. &. NJ. Spartan, overseer of the
State Grange, made speech partly in
answer to that Of Mr.. Rhone. He pro-
duced figures to show that the farming
interest is in depressed condition. He
took no exception to the statistics OF
Mr.. Rhone as to the increase of the
wealth OF the United States, but said
that since 1860 the farmers had received
comparatively small benefit. While the
aggregate value of the farms Of the
country vas greater than in 1860 On &C
count of the Ssw territory taken under
consideration, there had been an aetna
decrease from the value of the l63, 600,
900 acres under cultivation at that time
It was matter of regret that the farm
ers did not realize their condition. The
signs of the times indicated bankruptcy
] aud ruin to their calling unless the.