TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART V 469 



roads, and to advance farm values wherever it extends. The results in this 

 matter alone will justify the entire cost of The Grange from its establish- 

 ment to the present day. 



Every man is a factor of society, and as such he is accountable for the 

 manner in which he performs the duties which devolve upon him. 



The first is to his home and family. The second to his government that 

 permits him to enjoy the blessings of home and family. The third is to 

 better the conditions and advance the interests of his chosen occupation. 



Since we are looking at the farmer's side of the question what should 

 be his action and what can he do to better his condition? 



There are certain conditions existing that must be met and overcome 

 to obtain results desired by the farmer. What legislation is needed must 

 be secured by his combined efforts. As an individual among millions of 

 people he is hopelessly helpless to do one thing to obtain relief. 



The moment the farmer attempts to relieve any burden created by 

 unjust taxation or unequal distribution of it, it makes no difference in 

 what direction, he is met by an organized force. No argument is needed 

 at this time to convince any intelligent farmer that such is the case. 



It is not enough that he complains and wants something done. He is 

 morally bound to do something himself and not merely wish it done. He 

 has the power and it is his duty to use that power so as to make it avail- 

 able and his influence felt. So that if he cannot make his influence felt 

 or his power available as an individual — and he cannot — his duty is to 

 make it so, and that can only be done thru his organized efforts. 



Every farmer owes it to society to assist in securing honest legislators 

 and just representation. That a lethargy exists among farmers in regard 

 to political duties is evident from the class of legislators that represent 

 them, composed as it is almost wholly of men from other professions 

 and possessing but little interest in the affairs of the farmer. 



The farmer has submitted so long to the powers that be that in many 

 places he has lost confidence in his ability to do anything, and above 

 all he needs the stimulating influence of a farm organization to awaken 

 his energies and give him courage. To do the work assigned to him as a 

 citizen he needs an understanding of the questions of the day; he needs 

 a preparation that will enable him to act in the management of the affairs 

 of his time. In short he must be able to stand up and defend his interests 

 whenever and wherever it is required, and his ability to think quickly and 

 act courageously only comes from the drill obtained in organization, 

 and a farm organization teaches him to have confidence in his fellow 

 farmers and acquaints him with the vital questions affecting his interests. 



The farmer was created a social being and needs the wholesome 

 influence of organization to keep him so. His business is comparatively 

 one of isolation, varying in degree according to environment. The farmer 

 who lives within the boundaries of 160 acres becomes very narrow and is 

 of little use to his community. His family is correspondingly dwarfed, 

 as they are shut out of society, and are improved as their opportunity for 

 association increases. The individual excluded from society will in time 

 lose his mental powers and become oblivious to his own needs as well 



