Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-09
EDUCATE FARMERS,
SAYS PRES. BARRETT
IN ANNUAL ADDRESS
Meeting Was Called to Order
Tuesday With Over a Thou
sand Delegates in Attend
anCe

CHARLOTTE. ~. @, Sept. s.-The
convention OF the Farmers Educational
and Cooperative Union Of America
opened In this city this morning with
1000 delegates representing almost
every state in the union in attendance.
President s c. Barrett called the con-
vention to order and Mr.. z. r. Preston
made the address OF welcome, which
was followed BY the address OF welcome
on behalf Of the state Farmers union
by DIT. ]. NJ. Templeton, OF Cary b
p. Montgomery. OF colorado. respond
ed TO the welcoming addresses on behalf
OF the visiting farmers.
Following these talks, there were ad-
dresses BY different members OF the
union on subjects interesting to the
statesmen OF agriculture
This mornings meeting was the only
one that was not executive, as the rest
OF the three days meeting will be be-
hind closed doors
There have been arranged numerous
entertainments for the visitors while in
the city and these will be carried out
IN the leisure hours
Brethren Of the Farmers Union:
1T is my privilege to greet and con-
graduate you at the threshold Of the
greatest business era in the history Of
the ORGANIZED American farmer.
s.It has been an aphorism in America
that the farmer was not business man.
I am here 10 tell you, and TO tell the
nation. that that indictment no longer
holds true. Here and there the tndivid-
ual farmer has much TO learn concerning
business and business usages- But the
important point Is that the leaven is at
work and the man who tills the soil In
this country is absorbing with mirac-
uloux rapfdity the lesson that business
principles must be foremost in the man.
axement Of his affairs. This change Is
epochaI In a revolutionary sense
The nature Of my position has given
me singuIarly good opportunities for
study and observation in every state In
the union. And 1 now make this state
ment without reservation: That IN each
commonwealth where the farmers are or
CANNED and IN others where organization
Is sfmmering. there Is a new life and a
freshly kindled hope.
I'm every state I have invaded the
farmer Is in the business today, not so
much the everlasting round OF politics.
or the selfish ambitions OF politicians.
but how to make his acres return the
maximum OF dollars: how to make best
his own opportunities; how to furnish
the best opportunities TO his sons and
daughters: how best 10 tighten his wives
TO II: how best to make attractive. clean.
healthful and permanent the home that
shall shelter them all.
I'VE have organized state unions IN
three states during the past year-cal-
ffornfa. Indiana and Virginia Catch the
sixnffcance Of the national scope shown
NV the three organisations. One rests on
IN. Pacific. the other midday OF the
continent. and the other rests on the
Atlantic.
..The year Just closed has seen fixed
n principle OF tremendous Importance
20 the American farmer. organized or
unorRantzed. and to the American public
IN general
"As evidence Of the determination Of
the organized farmer to punish indiffer
ent servants and reward those who
have shown their true colors. and abided
by them Il IS a well known faction OF
the farmers union defeated several can
dfdates. a few senator's In various south
ern and western states. That Is, more
over merely the beginning OF the or
ganixztion's fight 10 secure attention TO
its demand from men in public life In
every instance where defeat was meas
ample opportunity 20 sq9are themselves
with their farmer constituents. but fall
ed to take advantage OF IL.
I'm a number OF states where the
Farmers union has made itself plain I'm
asking proper legislation from legisla-
tors. II has gotten practically all IL de-
rnanded- In other states. for instance.
Arkansas and Alabama IL has never
been turned down on a single one OF Its
requests I cite this to you as an IN
dication Of what strong organization.
asserting its right. will accomplish. and
as a help to your future guidance.
To-day the farmer is alive 10 his rights
and needs. Banded together in phaianx
that resists the assaults of little and OF
great foes. he VIII enforce the one and
fulfil the other"