162 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



forces which we are helping onward by cooperation, the drudgery of 

 the land workers must soon disappear, in illustration of that Divine 

 harmony which first prevailed when "the stars of the morning sang 

 together." The men of the future, standing as close to the end of 

 this century as we have stood to the past, may begin to see on every 

 hand the fading away of the thistle and thorn, and in their place will 

 rise again in sublime grandeur the tree of life, out of whose trembling 

 leaves has come the healing of the nations; with its fruits as tempt- 

 ing as in the days of Eve, all fashioned and tinted by a diviner hand 

 than earthly artist ever had, and the voice of Jehovah be heard once 

 more saying, this time shall you take and eat, for now you are as 

 God and you shall live forever. 



The Presid' nt, Joseph C. Sharpless, then responded as follows to 

 ihe Address - f Welcome: 



RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



On behalf of the Dairy Union here assembled, it gives me great 

 pleasure to respond to the able address of welcome to which we have 

 just listened. I with several of my neighbors, but not so many as I 

 had hoped, have come to York to give our whole attention to what- 

 ever may come before us for consideration; and I am sure that I 

 voice the sentiment of all, when I say that there was a feeling of 

 cordiality permeating the atmosphere that went to the very soul the 

 moment we entered your energetic town. 



This is the fourth annual meeting of this organization, and I can 

 think of no better place to meet than your county seat. Situated 

 as it is in one of the grandest dairy sections in this State, it is to be 

 hoped that before we adjourn we may reap fruit by way of a larger 

 membership; for you who are not members should feel it your duty 

 to become such, as it is a question whether we shall continue or give 

 up in despair. Can we not run a dairy organization in this State, 

 which has been one of the most progressive in the Union? In answer 

 we must do it or hang our heads in shame. Again, shall we let some 

 of our younger dairy States of the west surpass us in the producing 

 and making of dairy products? Their secret of success, I have no 

 doubt, is the result of organizations, for the old adage "in union there 

 is strength" is a true one and one we must follow. These States 

 spend their hundreds of dollars to make their business a success; 

 spend it at our expense in the end. You know that 80 or 40 years ago 

 the best butter that went into Philadelphia market came from Brad- 

 ford county, together with a few special brands from Chester county, 

 such as the Darlington and Sharpless brands, which at that time 

 could demand |1.00 per pound. 



But now, how is it? We have let those States with their tact, iu- 



