Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-29
ny REQUESTl

ny REQUEST
Friends and Neighbors-l feel il "a
high and distinguished honor To be in
vited to address the Farmers Club on
a. great and important subject as has
been assigned me, But after looking
around over such an intelligent-looking
audience, feel somewhat embarrassed
in attempting To exert my feeble efforts
to offer you anything that might instruct
or interest. Another thought that al
most entirely disqualifies me from do
ing justice to this subject is, that "A
farmer, IA common clod-hopper, in this
enlightened day and age of the 18th
century, who will dare To raise his voice
against the many existing evils and in
favor of a reform of any kind, is called
crank, aspiring TO office, &c. Another
reason is, the fact that have worked
in grange harness for several years pre-
vents me from giving you any infor-
nation concerning the real benefits OF
the grange, which are known only to
grangers themselves. However, the
main feature o. the grange, which is
embodied in our declaration of prin-
ciples, we publish to the world. And
| don't believe | could give you any
thing better if | were to try, than to
read to you our declaration of principles.
There are very many important in
terests in this great and growing coun-
try of ours, no single one of which is
independent of those surrounding it,
and none can afford to be built up at
the expense of others. All should be
fostered and protected fairly and pro-
perly. OF these, agriculture is the most
important. Failure upon the farm
brings financial distress to every bus
mess enterprise. That which cripples
agriculture, cripples every other indus
try in the nation; while abundant har-
vests with fair remuneration insure
great national prosperity.
How important, then, that agricul-
ture, the foundation of all prosperity,
should be carefully protected. But
who shall do this work? If we look
to those who are engaged III other
professions, manufacturing or COM
mercial pursuits, we find them fully
occupied, with no time to spare for
the needs of agriculture. If this
work is done, it must be done by the
farmers themselves. They must
learn to'attend to their own business.
This is only as it should be. Who
ever heard of national bank associ-
alton, or beer brewers association,
calling in "a farmer TO address them
as to how they should conduct their
business for pleasure and profit?
Those.who have selected this noble
pursuit as their life work, should be
willing to devote their united ener
gies to secure its fullest develop
ment.
Now, by what means shall we ac'
camplish this work? If we 60 on in
d;vidual effort, without consultation
or plan of cooperation, nothing but
failure and disappointment await us.
But if We organize, meet together
for consultation, arrange plans OF
action and push them forward by
our united strength, success will
crown our efforts. IT we fail to do
this, the future of agriculture Will be
but repetition of the past; agricul-
ture will be despised and Stunned by
the best brain and talent. Being
unnecessarily burdened with debt and
taxes, we can't afford to pay our hired
help the wages that other organiza-
tions do, simply because we are not
organized. And this condition of
affairs will drag agriculture down to
ruin and decay, dragging down with
it every other Legitimate business.
If we summon to our aid the power
of organization, and thoroughly drill
and discipline our forces, we shall be
able to bring about an era of pros
perity heretofore unknown. Not
withstanding We far outnumber those
engaged in any other interest, this
fact will not relieve US from the ne
cessity of organization; for numbers
without organization is an element
of weakness rather than strength.
An unorganized multitude is unable
to cope with disciplined few. But
a multitude organized, drilled, and
under good discipline becomes an
irresistible power.
Judging from our present condit
ion, is it not high time for immediate
actionp Never before were the far
mers so hemmed in and surrounded
90 where you will, you will find a
very large majority of the farmers
restless and dissatisfied with their lol
and believe there are but few who
would not sell out at deal less thar
cost. Turn where you will and you
are brought face to face with organ
lied interests. Men in almost every
profession and business have their as
s3cistions and use their combined
straupth tn advance and prOtec