The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1908-10-15
and exact and obtain our rights.
We must educate to know the

tenn of our country, to know what
laws effect them, how they are
effected, either for or against our
interest. Then will we know
what we want and knowing it,
will have the power to obtain
and maintain our rights. All
we ask is equity, a fair and just
chance in the struggle for exis-
tence, and to obtain happiness.
And last, but not least, educa-
ton is necessary to foster that
fraternal spirit SO important in
the Farmers Union, and to dis
courage vice and immortality.
This is not so much an intellect
ual education as it is a spiritual
one-education of the conscience.
1t is the drive wheel Of that great
machine of power-education.
1t is the rudder to the ship frought
with such great possibilities to
humanity. 1t gives direction to
the whole power and influence
set in motion by education.
Without this moral training, the
whole structure would come to
naught. Yea, would be more
than vain--leading mankind to
destruction. 1t is this that leads
us to recognize the fatherhood Of
God and the brotherhood of man;
that helps us to see the good in
others, and prompts us to come
to the rescue of a brother in need.
1t reveals to us the benefcence of
an All-wise Creator, and leads us
to adore the beauties of his hand
work. 1t is this that develops
all that is good in us, and to
revere those noble attributes Of
God, love, mercy, justice and
wisdom-yea, this is what begets
within us love of truth, honesty
stability, faithfulness, fortitude,
purity, and every virtue that
adorns and beauties mankind.
Oh, my readers, language fails
me in my attempt to portray the
importance of education, the lack
of which is, in great measure,
responsible for the inequitable
conditions that render the life Of
the farmer and other producers Of
wealth so dreary and undesirable.
Neglect of it is what has brought
the farmer to be the poorest man
as class of all men, and rem
ders him almost helpless in the
struggle for existence; that con-
dition that has extorted from him
nearly all the wealth he has pro-
duced, and left him almost with
out resources of luxuries and hap
piness and taken from him nearly
every recourse of redress. Lack
of the right kind of education is
responsible for mans inhumanity
to man. 1t has led the unscru-
pulous to exalt the dollar above
the man; to extort from his fell
low man every vestage of wealth
that he could regardless of the
feelings and rights of his brother.
Yea, it has almost removed
from him every right of civil
protection, and bound him in
commercial bondage.
Now, to you who are not men,
bers of the Farmers Union:-Do
you wonder at our efforts to or
ganize? Do you blame us for
trying to educate, that we may
correct some of the evils that now
curse this nation through the in
equities of our commercial sys-
tenn? That system that gives us
no right to prlce what is our own.
Are we to be centured and have
the finger of scorn pointed at us
for our efforts at redress, that we
may ameliorate the deplorable
condition OF the farmer, and be-
queath to our posterity a better
state of affairs. Make country
like more attractive. Yea, are
not our efforts conmendable,
when we realize that perpetuity
of all that is good in the civil,
religious and commercial world
depends upon the work of the
country people? And to you
who are members, let me close
by exorting you not to faint by
the wav thOuoh the battle be