Year: 1873




second Annual session-First Days
srsM - Proceedings. Y


The second annual session of the Farm
ers' Council of Virginia and North Carroll
ma convened at the Academy of Music on
yesterday. The attendance was much
larger than is usual on the first day Is
meeting Of such bodies, and the material
of the assemblage comprised in an emf
nent degree the intelligence, worth and
character of all the varied interests con-
templated in the organization Of the
Council.


was called to order by Major Richard V.
Gaines. president Of the Council.


Rev. j. A. Rddick, of Sussex, invoked
divine blessings upon the deliberations in
an earnest and impressive prayer, after the
conclusion of which Major Gaines addressed
the convention substantially as follows:


Gentlemen-Before proceeding to busi-
ness there are one or two points upon which
wish to make few remarks to the Coun-
Gil.


The first thing have to say is to con-
gratulate you upon the assurance that we
have of the success of this enterprise.
The delegations of intelligent and patriotic
farmers from all parts Of the state, who
compose this body. is indicative Of the
great interests felt in the work before us,
and give assurance that success shall crown
our efforts. I see before me men who
have been distinguished in the forum and
IN the field patriotic men, who are ami
mated by an undying devotion to the best
interests of this commonwealth, and who,
like Cincinnatus, that noble Roman, have
left the field of strife and contest and re-
turned to the plow to rebuild our broken
and wasted fortunes.


You have not come here, gentlemen, with
the expectation of honor, or hope of
reward, but are animated by a sense of
duty. A duty we owe ourselves, duty
we owe our state, duty we owe the wives
and children of those who sacrificed their
fortunes and lives in lost cause, and who
are now holding out their hands to us and
asking for bread. Viii you turn away
from them and leave them in despair? Or
will you. like men, come up to the rescue?
Can nothing be done to revive the pros
perity that once gladdened the hearts Of
all, and to re-establish the great agricul-
tural and industrial resources Of the
state.


This body has been organized to accom-
plish this end. We do not claim for it the
merit OF perfection, nor that it has accom-
plished much of the work designed; yet
we have cause for congratulation for the
great success which it has achieved in its
brief existence.


Let us lock for moment at the charac-
ter of this organization. | find upon con-
sultation, and through the press of the
state, that its aims are not generally under.
stood. The impression has gone abroad
that we are to wage war upon every other
interest than that Immediately connected
with agriculture. This is not our object.
We are not animated by any spirit of ag-
gression or hostility to other classes, but
are organized simply for our own defence
and to promote our own welfare. Our
object is, by the education and enlighten-
ment OF the masses Of the people, to open
their eyes to a sense of their true condl-
tion and the nature and character of the
work before them. The farmers by their
very nature and habits are slow to act, and
constitute sort of balance-wheel in the
machinery Of the universe; ballast, as ii
were, to the ship Of state. This is q wise
condition of things.


1t is only by organized and concerted
efforts, put forth by men of intelligence
that we can ever hope to succeed in this
great work. The farmers Council is thu
best means for accomplishing these objects


Here the speaker alluded at some length
to the distinctive features between tht
Council and another organization. Th,
objects of both, he said were identical
The aims of this organization had beer
combated more on the ground of prelude,
than reason.


The speaker then continued /: Our or
ganization is purely Virginian in its origin
and had its foundation in this gallant city
No objection can be had to it, and it mus
commend itself to every intelligent gentle
man who has at heart the agriculture
interests of the state. There is room
enough for both and work enough for both
itis impossible that any jealousy shoul
ever spring up between these separat
Organizations.


One thing wish to impress upon You
minds, and that is, il we are ever to
renewed OF the hurdans undar 1ub;cb mn