The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-06-19
PATERNAIISM.

Canada Thistles are rapidly spreading
throughout this county and in some sec
tons farms will be practically worthless
because of this noxious plant. But if a
farmer chooses to raise Canada thistles,
has he not the right to do so? Is it not
an infringement on his personal liberty
to prescribe the manner in which he shall
cultivate his farm? What business has
the commissioner of Canada thistles to
visit a mans farm to determine just how
it is cultivated? Has he any more bust
ness to do this than to enquire how his
child is educated? There is splendid
chance for some Office seeker to win the
everlasting gratitude of the Wisconsin
democratic managers and make the sue
cess of the party certain this fall by de-
nouncing the commissioner Of Canada
Thistles.
Suppose some farmer raising a crop
of Canada thistles should be notified by
the commissioner to destroy the plants,
is he not saying just how the farmer
shall manage his affairs? Suppose some
church holiday should follow shortly
after such notice is given, or funeral of
friend or relative; that poor, oppressed
farmer would be compelled to remain in
his Canada thistle patch with his back to
the sun while his conscience would de-
mand his presence elsewhere. The COM
missioner might have prejudice against
some farmer and insist that dandelion
IS an OK eye daisy and compel the farmer
to grub away at the spurious daisy right
through the harvest season.
The grubblng up of teasel, snapdragon
etc. at the dictation of minion of the
law IS a species of paternalism which
must agitate the spirit of Gabe Bouck
grievously. Suppose man would pre-
Gerry store, can the law order him to dis
continue the work for which his soul
bankers and compel him to make war on
the snapdragon which may be a great
favorite with him?
Besides the law is unnecessary. Has
not Wisconsin made progress agricultur-
ally, long before any snapdragon law was
thought Of? Would the state go to the
demnlt1on bow vows now unless we had
snapdragon law? The snapdragon
and Canada thistle farmers should call a
convention at once and resolve to vote
for no one opposed to the culture of their
favorite product. If they talk loud the
democratic managers will espouse their
cause and the sDapdragon will be made
an issue instanter. There isn't much
time to be lost, as convention day is draw
ing nigh and the paternalism involved in
the enforced grubbing of the snapdragon
is wholly dependent upon the numerical
strength ofthose intent upon preserving
the integrity of the weed. Be prompt.
If the law says you must pull up the
teasel in the interest of yourself and your
neighbor it will not be long before it will
prohibit you from sowing wheat or plant
ing potatoes. The state will assume COM
plete control of your farm and prescribe
the quantity of oats you may feed your
horse.
This Canada thistle law is the entering
wedge. 1t is the first step toward the
destruction of vested individual rights
and the establishment of an agrarian
system. 1t behooves the agricultural
classes to organize in self-defense. The
farmer does not need to be compelled to
destroy the Canada thistle He is will
ing to do that anyway. But he does in
slst upon his right to attend funeral
or a church festival which is denied him
If this law is enforced. The farmer is
a law abiding citizen and is the back bone
OF this land of the free and the home of
the brave. 1t Is an insult to his patriot
ism to intimate that he will turn this
glorious country over to the Canada
thistle and cultivate snapdragon instead
of wheat