The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-03-05
PATRONS OF HUsBAEDRY
Address Of Col. D. 8. curfisa' DoP1sS anu
Lecturer Of National orange wash
ington, D. C.

and without il none expect extended or
permanent success.
AssociatiOnis really the great fulrum of
all powerful movements, and the Press is
the supple lever by which they are moved.
Artists and artisans-mechanics and mer-
ehants--aa trades and professions, have
their unions and societies =
All have embraced this effective mode OF
operation, except that great and important
class pAich feeds and sVstaiRs dHIthe lar,
mers and producers whose laDors anu "
prosperity all other callings depend Tor
prosperity and support.
And il the farming community DO not
speedily arouse themselves ana promptly
adopt this great element OF pecuniary and
intellectual advancement, they will soon
find themselves Outstripped by all other
callings Of their more wise and fortunate
brothers.
Besides, it is the duty, as well as the
privilege, of that responsible class when
feeds all and Is the basis of all, that they
should use all means and avail thellse.tes
Of every facility for becoming rs enecuve
ana ,oyverfuI ns possible Being the basis
ami snpnort Of an. il is the duty and Prir
W., al he farmer to take the lead Of all
hi The march of intelligence prosperity,
and enjoyment. Aud this coa be done by
association only
The peculiar character Of the farmers
business renders them more isolated and
more widely spread than are other prOtes-
sions, and In consequence OF this sparse
nature Of settlement, they are less social
and. of course, enjoy less Of instructive con
yersation and comparing Of notes, which is
so conducive 10 knowledge
The one significant central fact that we
will do well to look at in the outset is the
very small representation and Influence that
farmers have in our legislative halls-Na-
tional and State. At the organization OF
the last session Of Congress there were
present 2l9 members, and how many Ut
these do you suppose were farmers, "a
represent this great peculiarly farming
nation2 In that body there were l34 law
yers. II farmers, and "a Of all other classes
not one twentieth of the representation
from that class which produces all and
feeds ALL and which Outnumbers any 9th
or class in the nation Is IL any wonder,
then. that so little legislation is enacted
for the benefit Of agriculture, and so much
for the commercial and legal professions
And this will be 50. Just SO long rs farmers
refuse 10 unite their common knowledge,
and influence for their elevation
Too many farmers are prone a. regard
their own calling as an inferior one, and
look up to the others this Is wrong and
unworthy of farmers, and they should
learn boldly so 70 regard it, TO claim their
full and just share among the law makers
of the country and they can do it, If they
triU all they need is To study more and
think more, and then they can occupy leg
islative positions and command just laws
While visiting the great agriculture
States, Pennsylvania and Ohio, last win
ter. had access to lists of the members o.
the legislatures of those States, aud founC
that an equally small proportion were far
mcrs, though farming is the chief business
ot those States
Now, we do not blame those men for &C
cupying those places but is it wise anC
self respectful in farmers 10 allow 1t to b'
500 When farmers everywhere come t,
know their own strength, 10 fully appreci
ate all their privileges, and realize tina
they really have the power 10 assert anC
maintain them against the enroachment!
OF all others, and generally set about wise
~ ~ qualify themselves 10 successful,
WELD their undoubted power, they vii
then surely exert a controlling influence
they will then show an intellectual super
iority as they have the numerical strengt
for they have the largest number of vc
tiers of any class and they have tn
ground, the foundation, 10 stand upon
and act from. independent Of landlord
aud bread givers and it is all their uw
fault that they are not to-day welding an
directing the governmental powers an
functions Of the nation. Our Washington
Webster. Clay, jackson and host Of 9th
er great statesmen, were farmers an
sprung from that element, and bccam
great rulers by improving and cxertir
their privileges and possibilities showing
beyond controversy, that the best intellc,
tual capacity may be found in the ranks
the true agricultural classes
Now, do not insist that farmers sha
become politicians but they ought
study the policy of the nation, and elect
number Of their own profession, equal j
proportion to their number of voters an
the vast and vital Importance Of their bus
ness, If they expect equal justice in ii
laws, TO be properly protected by Cover
ment
Their union in association will greal
aid them in procuring information and e,
ucatiOn on all topics useful to them, and
Il they will be, in a large degree, bett,
able 10 take advantage Of the markets, an
control the prices Of their own product
which are now almost entirely dictated
them by brokers and spectators. 1t vii
also, largely afford them the power an
facilities for making their Just rights an
influence better known and more proper
felt and regarded in legislation and ee,
tons, twill make them better acduainte
with one another, with each others view
and lead 10 harmonious cooperation.
Members thus associated for their CON
mon good meet in their mystic circles, i
complete confidence on a common plan O
safety Tearing no shdms or tmpositioBs-
Tor common interest and fraternal regar
leaves no motive 10 deceive among then
selves while they are protected and Eiai
ded against impostors from without.
Too constant confinement at home an
the farm, and the absence of frequent con
minRling with our fellow beings 10 scott
intercourse, is liable TO dwarf the mind an
contract the spirit Of enterprise Will
frequent and systematic association wit
our kind will expand the intellect, elevat
its aims, and give wholesome breadth
ambition melting emulation and friend
competition, by widening the range
thought and investigation in all the sphel
ct our operations Such, in brief WOul
be some Of the effects Of proper associi
tons among farmers, If they we're organ
ized IN some fraternal and systemic order
which should be uniform throughout th
country and world, and mutually under
stood by all
With minds as great and purposes n
honorable as any, all that farmers no,
need TO raise themselves To a commandin
position of power and influence, inferior /
none, superior 10 ALL is harmonious organ
ization and concert of action; and by
they would speedily rise to a degree {
knowledge and efficiency commensurate
with the vast Importance of their callinl
Intelligence should be the basis Of all a,
soeiation, as il should be the chief motiy
Of all enterprise; only by IL can that con
mand 10 possess and subdue the world an
enjoy it be complied with by inteliger
thought, actively developed in works, ar
the elements OF nature understood an
subdued, and applied for our use an
profit.
Sueh nm A saoc;atto,, anal m, o,-Jo, he