REPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 447 



sified; its muscular and mental activities too strong and farsighted to fear any ex- 

 ternal or foreign competition. 



It is not tlie theory of our government, neither is it well to ask or expect it to show 

 special favor or aid to the industries of any one class of its citizens. 



The tlieory tliat our government is a paternal one in any sense I do not acknowl- 

 edge. Such a government would destroy all independence in the individual and teach 

 him dependence on government, and to look for the favors which may be extended or 

 withheld at the caprice or whim of those who are in place or power. Such a theory 

 is favorable to communism, which would be a deadly element here, as it has been in 

 other countries. 



It is not inconsistent with the theory that our government is not a paternal one in 

 a literal sense to claim that the administrative policy of our government shall be 

 such as not to interfere, blight or destroy the vital interests or legitimate enterprises 

 of any of its citizens. "We can rightfully claim a policy that shall give to every citi- 

 zen the largest liberty for developing the material resources of the land and secure 

 the freedom of an open field and a fair contest for a full share of the commerce of the 

 world; demand a policy in state and national affairs that shall, in spirit and practice, 

 receive the willing and hearty approval of the citizen as well as statesman, and pro- 

 mote the stability and perpetuity of the republic. "There can be no national liberty 

 without the empire of law." 



While we may be justly proud of our State for the variety, perfection and abundance 

 of its agricultural productions, especially of the cereals, yet I think it must be appar- 

 ent to any one who has reflected upon the subject that in the near future we are to 

 have strong competition in the States of the west. 



With their cheap lands, rich and productive soil, yielding so largelj', and at such 

 light expense for cultivation, together with the cheap transportation afforded them 

 by railroads, must enable them to rival our own State. 



Can you successfully meet this competition, aided as it is by consolidated transpor- 

 tation companies and railroad corporations, by giving them lower proportionate 

 rates for transporting their products to tiie markets of the east, is the. question pre- 

 sented to you, farmers of Michigan, for solution. 



I am firmly convinced that a fair and full examination of the subject will force the 

 conclusion that all rightful remedies against the unjust exercise of any corporate 

 powers or privileges, as well as equalizing the natural advantages so far as possible, 

 lie within the limits of State authority and individual exertion. 



Ingenuity may exhaust its resources in inventing labor saving machinery and 

 implements for cultivating the soil; it must be remembered the same machinery can 

 be employed to greater advantage on the wide prairies of the west. 



Our farmers must adopt such methods in their farm management as shall produce 

 larger returns for their labor; a higher degree of cultivation; raise more and a bet- 

 ter class of animals; a greater variety of grains, fruits, and dairy products, if they 

 would maintain the present high rank of the State among the other productive and 

 wealthy States. 



I may mention one of the many advantages to accrue to the farmer by adopting a 

 system of mixed farming, and one of no small consideration is in the profitable em- 

 ployment of hired labor for the entire year, and at lower wages. In this manner can 

 be raised the ''tramp" of to-day to the position of a respectable laborer, by giving 

 him constant employment at fair wages and a home of comfort. 



This system generally adopted will do much toward settling the vexed labor ques- 

 tion in this country. 



It is in the balancing of trades, the equalizing, the remuneration of labor, the 

 encouragement as well as general employment of the idle, and a practical recognition 

 of the principle that capital and labor are mutually dependent upon each other, that 

 is to stay the antagonism sought to be raised in this country by unprincipled dema- 

 gogues and leaders. 



In a country like ours it is the duty of tlie farmer as much as that of any profession 

 to add something to the beautiful as well as to the useful. 



;;^ The time has arrived when the improved condition of the farm and the wealth of 

 the possessor makes it necessary that the log house of the pioneer shall give way to 

 abetter farm dwelling. 



It is commendable in the farmer to exercise frugality and economy in all the details 

 of farm management. But when that frugality is the outgrowth of parsimony and 

 descends to the low plane of stinginess in order to hoard money, at the same time 

 depriving himself and family of the comforts of a respectable home, it is as despica- 

 ble in bin) as in any one else. His comparatively isolated situation renders a just 

 outlay of money necessary to secure not onlj' the physical comforts, but to minister 

 to the intellectual enjoyments of his family. In no way can a farmer better influence 



