The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1909-01-15
SOC per Year, 10c the Copy

of the subject unnecessary. Notwith-
standing the prominence attached to
the policies of the dominant political
party in the recent election, and the
claims made for other political parties
in promoting business prosperity,
there has been, underneath the entire
discussion, frequent reference to the
abundant crops as contributing force
in re-establishing the shattered
finances of business enterprises.
The prosperity of other industries
is not the basis of prosperity in agri-
culture, but the prosperity of agri-
culture is the basis of prosperity in
other industries The history of every
nation in this world is a standing argu-
ment in favor of this proposition. I'm
mense manufacturing plants and great
transportation companies are depen-
dent upon agriculture for business and
prosperity. Great standing armies and
formidable navies may protect the
farmers in common with other people
of a nation, but their support comes
from the tillers of the soil.
1t may be far cry from the farms
of a country to magnificent public
buildings and palatial homes, but
without the crops of a country there
could be no magnifcence of this kind.
Therefore, we assert that the person
who gives tue most attention to pro-
noting agriculture manifests the
broadest craftsmanship and takes the
most patriotic action. Whatever con-
tributes to the promotion of agricul-
ture contributes to the highest devel-
opment of nation.
Manufacturing, transportation and
commerce are subsidiary to this great
fundamental industry.
This statement should be printed in
bold letters over the entrance to yon-
der Capitol and over the door of every
legislative hall in the land
Farmers Still More Important.
Whatever may be said of the i'm
portance of agriculture and increasing
the profits of the farm, there is moth
ing of so great Importance as the men
cal, moral and social development of
the farmer and his family. All agri-
cultural policies for the rural people
and all efforts for the uplift of agri-
culture should have as their basis the
development of the rural people in
such way as to enable them to take
their place with people engaged in
other industries in the public and semi
public affairs of the nation.
The farmers should be aided in their
efforts to become competent to perform
the duties of citizenship in an intelli-
gent and patriotic way. They should
also be impressed with the idea that
whatever contributes to maintaining
home where love and social cheer
abound is one of the most important
agents in enabling them to become
good citizens.
The production of crops at profit
and the prosperity that may follow
in profitable investments of their sur
plus are important, but after all, those
things that contribute to happy home
life, with decent regard for the gen.
eral welfare, are the most important
of all.
These are the things that the Grange
teaches and encourages, and when its
objects and purposes are rightly un-
derstood the organization commends
itself to the most eminent statesmen
engaged in promoting the general well
fare of the people. A farmer is of
more importance than the farm, and
the agency that contributes to his de-
velopment as a citizen is of more value
than any that contributes to financial