The Ward County independent., 1921-03-31

ing few advantages over the animals
tribal organizations were necessary
for protection against their common
enemy. By the association of these
tribes into. nations, humanity begar
to ascend the scale of civilizations; SC
today, standing in the sunlight Of
twentieth century progress, looking
back at the beginning in barbarism
we see in our present civilization the
fruits of organization.
When the embattled farmers of the
Colonies resisted King George, they
first had to learn, that if success was
to be obtained, the thirteen separate
colonies must form united whole
AS result of this union, the history
of the world was changed, suffering
humanity took hope, and the united
action not only made American the
garden spot of liberty, but blessed
mankind the whole world round. Or
ganization having been necessary in
securing all past progress, we find
it as true as when uttered Liberty
and union, now and forever, one and
inseparable". So progress along all
lines must depend largely upon the
character and strength Of the various
organizations that promote the inter
ests of their respective callings. New
er in the worlds history, has as near
ly every vocation in life been so thor
oughly organized as today, when ev-
cry department Of commerce, manu-
facture and finance are thoroughly
prepared to act in unison on all mat
ters effecting their welfare; when
labor through it's unions, can speak
as one man, and it's member are will
ing to suffer all manner Of privations
and hardships for the supposed good
of the common calling.
Farmers must learn to profit by
these examples, and keep step to the
music Of the age; for, whether we like
it or not, these organizations of cap
ital and labor are here, and here to
stay. Agriculture then, to protect
itself from these two gigantic con-
tenting forces, to say to each, you
must obey the law; to maintain the
dignity Of its calling; to elevate ag-
riculture to it's proper place; to Sc
cure just reward for their labor; to
ennoble farm life; to secure just leg
islaGon; to educate and elevate the
American farmer; to develop a high
er and better manhood and woman
hood; in short, to secure a square deal
Tor all, farmers MUST have a thor
ough and strong organization.
Such an organization must stand on
high ideals, must seek to benefit all
American farmers, "must not call the
farmer from his work and place his
mind upon some other subject, but by
cheerful instruction Tighten and ele-
vate his labor. Must be so construct
ed to supply the educational, social
financial and cooperative needs of all
local communities, uniting them when
needed into q county association. Then
these local and county associations
must form a state association to be
able to speak for the farmers of the
state on all matters of legislation
to secure good laws and defeat bad
ones, to supervise the educational and
business interests of the farmers of
the state. These state organizations
must form a powerful national frat
ernity to promote, protect and defend
the educational, social, legislative and
financial interests Of all farmers in
the Republic.
This organization should be SO ar
ranged that each individual member
has his proportional work and re-
sponsibility in achieving success; and
lastly it must have sufficient finan-
cial standing to guarantee it's per-
manency. Measuring up to this
standard, we absolutely know but one
organization, and that is what is
known as the grange.
There have been many so-calied
farmer organizations, that have
sprung up at various times since the
grange was organized, claiming the
grange was too slow, they proposed
to accomplish much; procure the very
legislation that was needed, secure
better prices, in short correct all the
ills that the farmer is heir to; some
Of them done some good, some done
much good, but today they all lie bur-
led in an unmarked grave, while the
grange goes on triumphant. The
reasons are obvious, there has never
yet been another organization Of the
agricultural class founded on such
lofty principles.
And so today, let's not lose sight
of the fact, that after all there is
more to life than just the dollars and
cents side, and while we may expect
some good to come from an organiza-
ton that is founded alone on bust
ness principles, any organization must
have higher ideals to make it perpet-
ual.
We ask you to consider the Grange.
T. M. WILLIAMS,
State Master