Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-16

your chamber of commerce last Feb
ruary in meeting every requirement of
our organization, and the cordial welcome
extended at that time by your distinguish
ed mayor and council, found unanimous
responses of favor on the part of our ex-
eeutive committee, which readily culmin-
ated in selecting your beautiful city as
the proper place for holding the annual
session of our congress in 1902.
There has been at no time any doubt
in the minds of the officers and dele
gates to this convention that Macon
would fulfill every pledge made and that
a warm southern welcome would be ex-
tended to each and every one who could
be present on THIS occasion from every
state in the union.
THE name and purpose Of this organ
ization stand to maintain and promote a
more friendly and closer relationship be-
tween all classes of agriculturists in the
United States, to foster and build up the
different departments that they represent,
and through its annual sessions to dissem-
mate a wider knowledge of the latest and
best methods for the advancement of the
great agricultural inserests of our coun-
try.
I'm making a determined effort for the
betternfent of those conditions that relate
to the interests of husbandry, we meet
annually with common purpose in view.
I'm discussing those subjects which re-
late solely to national agriculture, We
encourage and know no sectional lines
within whose boundary preferences should
be given over the needs and requirements
of others.
1.-The boundary lines OF our magnificent
empire embracing within their limits the
greatest country ever developed by the
brain and hand of man, comprises the
field of our labors.
- 2T4N-
ization gather together in annual session,
whether in the north east west or south.
they meet upon the common ground of
one great nation, with but one object in
view, that Of giving their energies and
abilities toward the work of advancing
and promoting the interests Of national
agriculture. Wherever federal legislation
is needed in any of our agricultural de-
partments we promptly invoke by suit
abe resolutions passed and committees
appointed and delegated with authority
to act at Washington.
1.-THE many subjects to be discussed,
as embraced in the official program OF
the four days business. session of this
congress, relate almot entirely to the
needs of different departments of national
agriculture. While these discussions will
be fruitful of good results ana furnish
much valuable food for thought, yet the
be obtained by this particular session, is
that it will bring together as never before
the leading agriculturalists OF the whole
nation.
cit will mean the dawning Of a new
era in the future history of our agricul-
tural development. 1t will lay the foun-
dation for the abolition of all sectional
lines and viii put into motion a senti-
ment along the lines of national cooper
alton by the agriculturists of this coun-
try, which. will be of untold profit and
benefit to the great industry of which the
Farmers National Congress has become
the leading representative organization.
"That this tendency toward the culti-
walton of closer relationship, having for
it's prime object the ultimate amalgama-
ton of the agriculturalists of the United
States, should first bear fruit in the lead
ing agricultural state of the south, is not
only most suggestive, but will have its
weight and influence.
'sThe deep interest manifested In this
meeting by so many hundreds OF farm
ers in Georgia and other southern states
is particularly gratifying to the farmers
who are present here today from the
north and west. The south has never
failed in broad-mindedness of purpose,
nor in the prompt display of the highest
elements of patriotic motives.
1.-The days of individual action are rap
idly being RELOCATED to the past, while
the cultivation of a closer relationship
along the lines of cooperative action is
fast being inculcated into the minds Of
our people all over the country.
'In order that you may have some
conception of those agricultural interests
which II is our prime mission to foster
and protect will name a number Of our
leading agricultural products, giving the
gross amount of each and their value for
the year 1901: Cotton, 10. 40l, 453 bales; val
ne SSH, O9S III. Cotton seed, AIS. 900 BUSH
els; values, $50, 900. Hay, 5O.110.sO6 tons;
value, S445, $50. Irish potatoes, IO.926,SsI
bushels: value $780, ,167. Buckwheat, b.
1889 bushels; value, $S,52S,Sl7. Rye, 3d.
S44, $50 bushels; value, $17.OOO,OOO. Barley,
1o9, 1872, 924 bushels; value, $40 7O5,16S Oats,
7S6, S,724 bushels; value, S2eS,65S.7T.
Wheat, 74S, AGO. 1S bushels; value. $467, $780,
| 156. Corn, 1922 SIS, OS5 bushels; value, $92l,
$685. 6s Poultry, 25S,59S,OS5; value Of poul-
try and eggs, S2S1, us, 035. Hogs, IS, SOL, 6S1;
value. S17O, 1O9743. Horses, IL, 5S7, 524; value,
$6OS 1853 412 Mules 2,0S6, Oh; value, Sill, H.
442. Mich cows, 1920, $50; value, $5l4.Sl2,-
| 1O6. other cattle, 27,610,154; value, $685.
4S6, 26O Sheep, a, SSO65; value, $122, 665, 91S
| The grand total value of the leading agri-
| cultural products amounted in that year
to the enormous sum of S, 1861, AS, $40. These
| are the interests represented here today
/ by this magnificent assemblage Of promi-
nent agriculturalists, representing near
" every state and territory in the Union.
/ In 1776, thirteen weakened colonies de-
! clared their Declaration of Independence
| from the domination of Great Britain. In
| little more than 100 years from that time
we find, that through the energies of our
agricultural people, the total value OF
their products for one year amounts to
| more than the combined value of all the
| gold and silver in the world.
cooperating for the national upbuild-
| ing of our vast agricultural interests must
\ inevitably result in the achievement Of
splendid returns for our labors.
1.-The producers are the creators Of the
wealth of this country. and the unprece-
dented prosperity of the United States
within the past decade is due in largest
measure to the results Of the labor of ag-
| riculturalists. We are largely feeding
| and clothing the nations Of the civilized
world, and it is due to the vast exports
| of our cotton, meats and cereals that the
United States has within recent years be-
scome the creditor nation Of the world.
Whatever may be said of the mechanic
/ or the artisan, the merchant, banker or
| manufacturer it must be admitted that
| the farmer typifies the bed rock Of civil
| ization, prosperity and the strength Of all
| governments.
"Mr President, the delegates to our
congress at it's las. annual session ex-
] lie ar IN