Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-12-07
farmers Clubs

improvement. These Clubs are
composed of twelve farmers and
their families, and they have
monthly meetings SO as to hold
a meeting with each family du-
ring the year. They have a
President, Vice-President, Sec
Rotary and Treasurer, and such
committees as may be necessa-
ry to facilitate the business of
the Club, and their meetings
become at once a musical, de
claiming, debating association,
and is very interesting.
These Clubs are one of the
best means of intoxicating valu-
able information on almost ev-
cry subject in which the far
mers, as a class. are interested
Every subject becomes a mat
ter for examination and discus
sion, and while it is a good way
to have these exchanges of the
farmers, it is also educational
in the way of debate, giving to
each member a chance to ex-
press his opinion, in his own
way, on any subject before the
Club, thereby giving confidence
to the speaker and robbing him
of that natural timidity so of
ten felt by those who have not
been accustomed to speaking in
public. 1t also cultivates in the
young a spirit of interest in the
business of the farm, and also
a spirit to learn from the older
members all that experience
has brought to them, and they
join in the declarations, music,
and other exercises, and they
feel that "this is our meeting"
We always read the proceed
lngs OF these Clubs with great
pleasure, and remember that
some of our greatest men have
been first found by the humble
debating society. 1t is said that
the great Henry Clay, Of Ken
lucky, first discovered his won
derful power of oritory at a de-
batting society at a country
school house. Being present at
one of these meetings, and af-
ter hearing the debate, he made
the remark Chat he thought
the subject was not fully ex-
hausted," and being invited to
speak did so, and surprised, not
only himself, but all who heard
him, and from this humble be-
ginning, he became one of the
most distinguished orators of
America if not of the world.
Daniel Webster, the distin-
guished statesma, orator, and
constitutional lawyer, made his
maiden speech in defence of a
ground hog. He and his broth
err captured the hog, and Dan
iel opposed killing it. His faith
er consented to give the hog a
trial for his life, and gave the
defense to Daniel and the pros
ecution to the brother, the faith
er acting judge. Daniel won
his case-the hog went free
and Daniel Webster became the
most distinguished statesman
and constitutional lawyer Of the
age.
There must be a beginning and
no better place could be selec-
ted for a beginning than at the
Farmers Club. We do not ex-
|pect every farmer to become a
Daniel Webster or Henry Clay,
but there is no reason why some
of them should not reach some
high and exaulted position in
this country.
Every township in Harrison
County should have a Farmers
Club, and every member of such
Club should furnish meterial
for consideration at such NEE
ting, either by essay, recitation
music, or some valuable sug-
gestion for debate, and every
lady member should add to the
general interest by giving her
experience in the duties of the
house wife, so that her sisters
may have the benefit of her
knowledge, and the boys and
girls of the family should have
their part in every meeting, so
that all should receive full ben
eft and improvement. Success
to all the Farmer Clubs.
D. M. H.