The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-01-23
From Tuesdays Daily.

Less than twelve months ago the
great agricultural and industrial
development associations here con.
vened met In conventions In this city
of Mankatc. The important duties
devClving upon each Of these or
ganizaticns called forth at that time
from all PARTS OF our state men
reared In and devoted TO great
cause. Men whose hearts Leaf in
unison fer the better development
of cur agricultural and industrial
resources. Men who Oh these and
other bread lines stood for the
highest standard. Men who have con-
ceived OF new ideas in the fields OF
production and has wrought out new
problems to be solved Men who
were honored for the cause they
cherished and for the work they did.
Today for second time within
that short period those same organ
izaticns are assembled in joint cor.
vent!cn in this city. These assocla-
lions. the Minnesota Crop Improve.
ment association, the Southern Min
nesC:a Better DEVELOPMENT league and
the Blue Earth Coulty Seedgrowers'
association have met here for a
common purpose. We have met here
TO continue the work. to further the
cause and to advance the interest ;
OF cur organizations. We have met
here to exhibit the best products
Of the soil of our state and TO
teach and encourage a larger yield
of higher and better quality. We
rave met here TO grapple with the
problems confronting our county.
cur state aud nation along lines with
tie possible advancement OF our
cause I'm the interest OF the whole
people.
Mankato has cause to feel proud
Twice within n year she has opened
wide her doors to the peorle of the
great convention. No city I'm this
state has ever had extended to he,
higher honors. can assure you
gentlemen. that Mankato. the county
seat OF Blue Earth county. my proud
county. fully appreciates this splen
did courtesy we have here shown
her. But Ii is not alone fer Mankato
TO express her gratitude. The PEG
pie Of this convention. | trust, will
not loose sight OF what Mankato
has done ard is new doing for us
apd fer the great work in which we
ere engaged. While this convention
has twice hcno-ci ManSato and
Nankato. has twice welcomed oul
;ecpie ! ask you net 10 forget tina,
YOU are assembled in the grand old
county CT Blue Earth. AS repre-.
sentative OF this, the banner county
OF the best state in the union. and
IN behalf of al her people. can
assure you. gentlemen. that take
great pride in extending to this con.
Tention a second greeting No count!
within the borders Of our state
could be awakened To higher sense
Of obligation than that which this
county feels II ewes this conyen.
ton.
We feel Obligated to you. gentle
men, net alone because you have
seen III to twice honor our county
with these conventions. but because
the work in which we are engaged
carries with il benefits and lasting
improvements to our county and
IN mr. no nd ~ -.
the wonderful progress made along
agricultural lines within the memory
OF the living.
In this convention we are not AL
(. farmers. We ere not all producers
The Development association Is
compcsed cf men IN various branches
OF business. hut having as It's prime
object the development Of our count
along agricultural lines and the en-
enlargement OF more and better farm
ing AS evidence Of your interest in the
achievements Of the firmers of this
state you have offered the two
browning prizes fer corn. Such
prizes as were never before offered
by any organization of men within
Our state. The business men oil
Nankato regardless CT occupation
have subscribed hundreds Of dollars
tn encourage ard further the inter
est RI Mime sofa farmers.
Throughout the state and nation
we find men in all walks Of life
organizations and associations of
various kinds recognizing agriculture
lending moral and financial support
TO tie great cause
County. state and national govern
ments regardless cf party are con,
tributing TO the needs and wants o!
this rapidly advancing industry. An
industry that fer generations In
america advanced without aid. with
cut SUPPORT without sympathy from
any source except from the discour
ased and d:shear;ened farmers, who
struggled long and hard for their
own bread and bread fer others
without even being recognized by
the go called advanced and civilize
peorle OF their day and age
The American farmer from the
earliest days Of American settlement
uo to the time Of farmers associa-
tons. farmers clubs. farmers organ.
i7atsons and oc-cperativa associations