A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE ASSOCIATION 



OF FARMERS' CLUBS. 



The liistory of mankind from the beginning down to the present time 

 goes to i)rove that where organization was the most perfect, and in 

 accord with the ends sought there the best results have been obtained. 



Successful military achievments have nearly always been attained 

 in the greatest degree in i)roportion as the central organization was 

 the most complete, and acting in harmony with those co-operating with 

 it. The more thorough the organization in all departments, the better 

 drilled and equipped the soldiers were in all divisions, corps, regi- 

 ments and down to the corporal's squads acting as one great whole, 

 tlie greater and more im})ortant have been the results. The central 

 organizations of governments, sustained b}' State organizations act- 

 ing in unity make this nation invulnerable against the attacks of any 

 foe. The gigantic business oi)erations of the world are conducted main- 

 ly by intelligent organization and active co-operation. The principle 

 of centralized power is acknowledged in a thousand ditferent forms. 

 The great success in the religious world is mainly due to organization 

 and agreement in methods. The success attending the. secret and 

 benevolent societies all over the world attest its value, liy the use 

 of this ]»rinciple corpoiate capital is enabled to declare dividends to 

 stockholders. Organization is the ])ower that controls the business 

 world. It enables these colossal institutions to employ experts in 

 «'very branch of their business. I think it may truthfully be said that 

 nearly all the business of the world, including preaching, teaching, 

 etc., is under the control and direction of organized effort. 



If co-opei-ation is so essential to success in legislation, in military 

 o})ei-ations, in benevolence, in social, religous and literary work, in the 

 succcsslul business operations of the world, it is ecpially necessary in 

 the business and social life of the farmer. 



A full realization of the above and kindred truths led to the call for 

 delegates from the various clubs in the State to assemble in conven- 

 tion for the purpose of organizing a "Slate Association of Clubs." 



Tlie convention was held in the Senate chamber at Lansing, Feb- 

 niaiy 1, lS!(t, with delegates from twenty-two clubs ]iresent and gave 

 birth to the .Michigan State Association of Farmers' Clubs, the lirst 

 State .\ssocialion of I^aruiers' Clubs to be organized in the world. 



The object of the association is quite plainly defined in the i)re- 

 atiible to the <-ons( itution as adojtted at this convention, which is as 

 follows: 



