The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-11-02

to bring about the realization of these conditions
which must be realized if our national prosperity
is to continue through many years.
1t would seem to the thoughtful observer that
the only way in which to make more rapid prog
ress would be for the men who live by agricul
ture to put themselves in line with the general
social and industrial tendency OF the day and
develop proper organization among themselv es
tor their mutual protection. help and general
advancement. -
1t is useless and it would be utterly foolish to
attempt to ignore the advantages of proper and
properly conducted organization of men in sim.
liar lines OF business or work to any one who
gives the subject much thought. believe that
it will be apparent, thatf present conditions
continue there will be no way for the real wealth
producers of this country, the farmers, to hold
their own with the organizations of various kinds
with which they mustscontend, and to advance
the general welfare of agriculture except by
forming proper organization of their own.
The safest and sanest class Of men today in the
United States, as class, is the farmer class, and
there is much in WHAT Thomas Jefferson said
"Cutivators OF the earth make the best citizens
They are the most vigorous, the most virtuous
and the most independent. They are tied to
their country and welded to its liberty and in
terest by the most lasting bonds
They are opposed to the abuse Of public fran
chises and unfair methods of amassing large for
tunes, but they are not anarchists who would de
stroy government and do away with private prop.
erty, because they are property owners themselves
and hence respect the isacredness of private
property.
The same man who because Of his own lack of
industry and depraved habits hates all forms of
private property and believes in socialism and
anarchy and would have law against any man
having a large business or large fortune and
would forbid anyone to ride in carriage because
he himself must walk, the same man who, feels
this way toward the very wealthy, feels when he
passes your door that he has been done an injury
because your house is warm, your fields are fer
tile your granaries full This spirit of anarchy
does not grow naturally In the farmers breast for
he Isl law abiding, property respecting man, as
he has property himself.
1t is the farmers. then, who on the whole are the
natural and best citizens and they may with safety
be trusted to deal wisely with our national prob
lens and proper organization by them would not
only advance their own interests and that OF the
public but could be done with no danger to our
institution.
ORGANIZATION.
1t has been said that it would be impossible TO
develop and perfect national organization of far
mers but it lie dificnlt to see why this should be
30, for in respects it would appear to very
simple since there are 30 many organizations Of
farmers now in existence although none OF the
large organizations, so far as know. have that
thorough organization which would be effective
Almost every state the Union, If not every one,
has it's State Grange. There are also other organ.
| cations, such as the National Farmers Alliance,
The Farmers National Congress-, Patrons of Hus-
bandry, National Live Stock Association. Cattle
Breeders Association, Horse Breeders Association.
Sheep and Swine Breeders Association, Poultry
Associations, Forestry and horticultural Associa-
l lions and many others. In our own state we have
i y State Grange, 9 Tobacco Growers Protective Az
ISOLATION and numerous local farmers clubs,
It would be possible to unite all of these into
general association with various departments and
thus make compact, coherent and effective union
| of all agricultural interests. Such body would
surpass IN importance and in power all other
| unions and associations and under the proper
management could accomplish untold good to the
members and the country at large.
| ADVANTAGES.
| The advantages Of such organizations would be
manifold.
| In the first place it would not only raise the
dignity and importance of agriculture in the pub.
lie mind but with Its county, district. state and
national conventions it would promote q social
intercourse among the farmers Of different sections
OF the country and delegates SAINT to these various
conventions would return with q broader view of
agriculture. its importance and its problems.
The different departments would have publications
at regular intervals which would keep every farmer
in touch with all the various phases of the work
/ going on in the country at large and sympathy
and cooperation that would be of practical hnsn
cial value could be developed. An experiment
along these lines in a small wsy was tried In the
West some years ago and it was eminently success
full. Aco.operatiye association was formed con.
sistipo Of the farmers ot nortion of county and
they all combined in buying and selling and open.
ed oo.operatiye store. all with great advantaoa
to themselves. This could bs done ON a larger
scale.
In addition to the social feature such an orp.ni.
cation would have GREAT polit,cal inanonce and