The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-06
Editorial Comment
Evolution and the Farmer
Chicago Tribune)

Among the major social inconsistencies is the fact
that many farmers are or think they arc, ant-evo-
lutionists. The theory of special creation finds
many of its strongest adherents in the rural dis
tricts.
This is an inconsistency because the farmer, of all
classes of mankind, lives close TO evolution at work.
Had evolution been, there would be no farm
cror perhaps it were better to say every would
have to be farmer after fashion. Were evolu-
ton to functoning, the farmer as he now
exists would 60 out of business.
II is evidence of the conservatism of the agrcul-
turist that the who read that the late
Luther Burbank had succeeded in creating new
type of sweet corn and who ordered some seeds of
that and planted it could still assert that every
thing in the universe created in its present
state and condition. It is evidence Of something
more than conservatism that that same farmer
should attempt to impose his own belief on others,
to bride all scientific thought, by his support Of
legislation banning the teaching Of evolution
The fact Of evolution and it's constantly moving
processes important to every man, but to no one
are they SO important to the farmer When the
farmer rejects evolution he forswears something
that directed by natures devices and MARS skill
has turned the wild plant into the tame one, the
wild beast into the domestic animal, the tame plant
and the domestic animal into better plants and ami
mails; which has faithfully improved the stock in
trade Of the farmer and therefore has benefited his
lot.
If the farmer is to reject evolution the accepted
theory of all sciences and Of the foundation
stones Of all scientific thinking, how is he to accept
logically the multitude of aids which science has
achieved for his benefit?
! Was it not science which taught the farmer the
principles of fertilization, gave him the knowledge
he now enjoys concerning the mineral properties
and needs Of the SOIL discovered for him the nitro
gen-fixng bacillus and the value of crop rotation
Was it not science which aided the farmer in his
chronic fight against insect pests and plant art
animal diseases? Was it not science which created
the machinery which has taken some of the back
ache out Of agriculture?
Science has aided the farmer in these ways and il
many more. The farmer should support science il
return instead Of standing against it. He doe,
stand against the advancement Of all science whel
he refuses to allow scientific freedom in his schools
Evolution does not stand alone It part and parce
Of oil scientific thought and research. Il canno
be cut out without damaging the whole scientifi
body. It is q vital organ. not meaningless %
pendage.
Science lives on freedom and truth, II Feeds q
fact Curb it in its search Cor truth and fart, lii
its freedom Of reasoning and conclusion, ard II afro
plies and dies. This is what anti-eyolution law
DO; they chain science; they win kill science
And science l. the goose that lays the golden Ell
, for TIE farmer about the only golden err Ae g
joys. Does the farmer want u kiu tie goose!
a&