FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 67 



The active business man whose time for reading outside of current 

 events is very limited can also learn much by observation as theories are 

 applied and the every day processes are in operation. The inquisitive 

 brothers of Darius Green became as well informed of the real practica- 

 bility of the theory which had captivated the inventor's head as Darius 

 himself, although they were merely observers at the trial, and the view 

 from their observatory being considerably obstructed at that. It is also 

 true that conscientious men of affairs in important positions of trust, 

 and who are called upon to render decisions between different theories 

 and between the ingenious arguments of interested men will get bewil- 

 dered and cannot see the way clearly to a justifiable judgment. Under 

 such conditions they have been known to call in as counselors men who 

 were entirely outside, and who were practically free from the influences 

 which had resulted in bewilderment. I once had a neighbor who was 

 noted for his liberal store of good wholesome common sense, as a result 

 from close observation and a near contact with every day things, and who 

 became a close friend of Governor Bagley during his administration of the 

 affairs of our State. 1 knew of several occasions when this neigh- 

 bor had been called to the executive office for counsel on perplexing ques- 

 tions. The Governor on receiving him has said, ^'Mickley I am glad to see 

 you, I have important questions to decide, and it is my desire to decide 

 them rightly and justly. 1 have listened to the theories and arguments of 

 contending enthusiasts and my mind is not clear regarding decisions. 

 I am at a point where I want the assistance of plain unprejudiced natural 

 horse sense." 



Some may question the affinity of this introduction to the question 

 assigned me but I feel it necessary to the purpose of placing myself rightly 

 before you, and although it might be akin to egotism to lay claims to 

 much natural wisdom or ability to assist in harmonizing differences, I 

 want to make it plain that what I do say will be as purely original as is 

 possible for thoughts to be in this communicative age, entirely free from 

 prejudice or, in other words, direct from the stump. If I am so fortunate 

 as to be in harmony with wisdom and practical conclusions I shall feel 

 favored. The question as it reads on the program, "Need and Possibility 

 of Organization Among Farmers," seems to concede the need of organiza- 

 tion but intimates a doubt as to whether farmers can successfully 

 organize. It ma,y be of interest in the regular order of the question to 

 explain somewhat in detail why farmers need to organize, although such 

 action on their part is by common conclusion in line of duty. The 

 American farmer is naturally an up-to-date individual. Neither our ideal 

 form of government, nor any of its policies of administration, have 

 resulted in retiring him to a degraded or menial sphere. His ambitions 

 and hopes are buoyant and his pride is uncrushed. He possesses a keen 

 realization of the responsibilities of American citizenship and is willing 

 to bear his part of those duties. 



Under conditions unlike those that prevail in some parts of the old 

 world our farmers generally own the land they till, and instead of the 

 homes of our farmers being grouped in village form they are out in the 

 open country near to the fields. Thus they live in a separated and isolated 

 condition. He does not, like the city man, touch elbows morning, noon and 

 night with a busy throng w^hose natural environments give opportunities 



