112 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



here we have been living in an atmosphere so different from that which 

 surrounds us in our ordinary business relations in the work-a-day world, 

 that we seem to have, been transported to some Utopia where the very 

 atmosi)here is pregnant with high ideals, lofty ambitions and ennobling 

 impulses. With such surroundings sordid considerations seem out of 

 place, and though the nature of my theme compels me in some measure 

 to advert to them, it shall be my purpose to consider more at length that 

 side of my subject which is more in harmony with our environment 

 and present mental conditions. 



At the outset it is my desire to enumerate some general propositions; 

 they are not new, and the truth of them is so apparent that they will be 

 accepted without argument. Their application to the subject may not 

 at once be apparent, but will become so as we proceed. 



As we look into the past and essay to judge concerning the wisdom 

 of executed human conduct, we have only to be guided by the logic of 

 eA'ents in order that we reach an accurate conclusion. It matters not 

 whether we contemplate the acts of the individual or any aggregation 

 of individuals, the conduct of states or nations, the result discloses 

 the wisdom of the casual conduct. But no formula has yet been dis- 

 covered, no method of reasoning devised by which human intelligence 

 may determine with unfailing accuracy concerning the wisdom of 

 executory or contemporary human action. The conduct of today, how- 

 ever seemingly well advised, must wait for the events of some tomorrow 

 to conclusively demonstrate its wisdom. 



Something desired is the mainspring of all voluntary action, and the 

 act is deemed expedient and wise if it conducts to the desired end. 



Given an end to be attained, it is the province of wisdom to determine 

 what is best suited to its accomplishment. 



That man is most wise who can with greatest accuracy foretell the 

 result that will follow upon contemplated action. 



Accuracy of conclusion is always dependent upon a broad and inti- 

 mate knowledge of the nature of the subject considered and of the 

 relation and correlation of all the forces bearing upon it. 



Let us keep in mind these observations and their application to the 

 subject as we talk about Farmers' Organizations. 



Organization — or the combining of units into a whole which shall 

 possess the attributes of an entity — must always proceed in harmony 

 with laws not always clearly defined, but immutable. But where the 

 unit of the organization is possessed of freedom of choice, and can 

 become a constituent part of the organization only by being willing to 

 do so, and can of its own free will withdraw from the organization, 

 a peculiar condition exists which is controlled by peculiar laws. 



We have noted that all voluntary action is an effort toward the accom- 

 plishment of some desired result. The individual becomes a member 

 of the organization only when he is satisfied that the organization is 

 a means well adapted to the securing of something which he desires. 

 It is evident then that the cohesive force of organization composed 

 of members having freedom of choice, must be the hope of accomi lish- 

 ing, by means of the organization, something which is desired by each 

 of the' members. If faith wanes as to the ability of the organization to 

 accomplish the desired results, the organization disintegrates. If the 

 aim ceases to be desired, the membership falls off. If the object be 

 accomplished, the organization ceases to exist. 



