The Newark journal., 1908-08-07
farmers EDUCATIONAL
AND
COOPERATIVE UNION
OF AMERICA -
Meaning of Cooperation.

AT the signing of the Declaration of
independence in 1875, one of the mem
bers OF the Continental Congress ex-
claimed, I'VE must all hang together"
es, said another member, "or we
Will all hang separately"
This truth so foreibly stated is ap-
piicable to the members of the Farm
ers' Union today. | have stated time
and again. and | challenge eontradic-
ton, that nothing can withstand the
onward march of the Farmers Union
as an order so long as it presents
united front to the outside world.
So long as we hang together
the order is invincible. But when
ever pickering and strife, and dis
sentations, divide and disintegate the
membership, then shall we assuredly
"all hang separately"
But what is the meaning of the word
"eooperation?" To operate" means
to act, to work. to exert power,
strength, and to cooperate" means to
work jointly with others, TO pull to-
gether to accomplish definite results.
1t is simple matter-just to blend
our energies with those of our neigh
bors. 1t is making single human
machine out of many individual brains
and hands. We need not and ought
not to lose our individuality, but our
aims and the objects we wish to ac-
complish must be in common with
those of our neighbors. It may spring
from the most selfish motives, or from
perfect altruism, but whatever be the
motives that inspires it, cooperation
multiplies individual effort and pro-
duces results. far beyond what could
be accomplished through the same
individuals acting separately or indie
pendently, and not in harmony.
This is emphatically an age of or
ganization. The church is organized;
merchants are organized, bankers are
organized-and why not the farmers?
1t is right to organize for legitimate
purposes, so long as no effort is made
to trample upon the rights of others.
But when organized greed tries to stifie
competition and to crush out the other
fellow-there is where the harm comes
in Blu organization has its prop
er uses, and the farmers ought to
avail themselves of 1t.
Organization is a community of in
terest; it is machine made out OF
individuals. ii another name for
cooperation. The founders of the
Farmers Union Builded wisely
when they added the word "coopera-
tive" to its name.
But what is to be gained by the
farmers cooperating through the
Farmers Union? Let us see.
l. To certain extent they can con-
troll the prices of their products. They
may not do it in one year, or two
years, but in time they will succeed,
provided they act wisely and will pull
together and stick together. 1t is said
that farmers will not stick together
Now is the golden opportunity to prove
the contrary Diversity your crops
and live at home so that you will be
Independent, and then stand together
for fair prices
g. BY cooperation in buying you
can purchase supplies much cheaper
than when you act singly and alone.
g. 1t will enable you to resist those
who try to Cypress you; it will aid you
in doing away with the mortgage sys-
tenn. which is the curse of farmers; it
will aid you in improving your neigh
borhood. in securing good roads and
good schools for your children In a
word, it will enable you to so improve
your condition that life will be worth
living, thus bringing Joy and peace
and gladness to the hearts of your
wives and children.
An old man lay dying, so the story
goes. and gathered his seven sons
around him. He babe them bring him
a bundle of seven sticks tied together,
and each son in turn ried to break
the bundle, but could not. Untying
the bundle. even the youngest child