350 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



For your encouragement, I just wish to refer tp our successes in 

 the Holstein local association, in Ida county. We made the canvass 

 for renewals and new members during the summer, and when we had 

 gotten them we had 110. I believe that 60 per cent of these were 

 young men, as many of the older men had moved to t^own. What was 

 done at Holstein could be repeated in many places if the proper effort 

 was put forth ana the local people would take more pride in building 

 up their membership. 



I was also able during the summer to collect some $600 or $700 on 

 old pledges that were past due. On account of our badly depleted treas- 

 ury, this certainly came in at an opportune time. 



In closing, I would feel ungrateful did I not refer to those loyal 

 men who, during the past year, have sacrificed both time and money 

 tp build up this organization. You are so numerous that I cannot name 

 you, and time alone will reveal the results of your sacrificing efforts. 

 But let me say to you, one and all, that words cannot express my ap- 

 preciation of your friendship and loyal support, and I assure you that 

 the memories pf those days will always be to me a most happy and 

 pleasant recollection. 



Soon after holding your last annual meeting, our country declared 

 a state of war to exist, because of the ruthless submarine warfare in- 

 augurated by Germany, and other acts of hostility, and since that time 

 our state ana nation have been engaged in the greatest activity in pre- 

 paring ^or war and assisting our allies. Our boys have been called 

 from their homes to join the colors and protect Old Glory (God bless 

 our flag! ) and fight for democracy. We have been called upon to buy 

 Liberty bonds, to contribute t>o the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., and other 

 war relief orders. Thus we begin to realize that we are reaTly at war, 

 and farther along we shall realize it much more keenly. And let me 

 say to you as your president that this is now our war and our fight 

 to see that democracy is made safe to the world, and that it be made 

 impossible for any nation ever again to force upon humanity such a 

 tragedy as this. It makes no difference what our views were concern- 

 ing this war prior to the declaration made by our country thru its con- 

 gress; we are now in it; congress and our president have spoken, and 

 we must subjugate our personal views and support our giovernment in 

 the most loyal manner. The charge has been made by some, and 

 heralded to the world by the public press, that the farmers are not loyal 

 and patriotic to their country. I want to call upon the members of this 

 association everywhere to refute this charge by tendering every pos- 

 sible aid to our beloved country in these perilous times. Let us not 

 be slackers in any sense. We must win, and win we will, and God will 

 smile upon us for redeeming the world from the tyranny of Prussian 

 militarism. I wish to recommend that this lorganization adopt strong 

 and stirring resolutions, affirming our loyalty and pledging our hearty 

 support to our president and the government. And may we all pray 

 that the God of Washington and Lincoln, who watched over fOur be- 

 loved country in those dark and threatening days, abide with and guide 

 and protect our president and our army and navy, and give us a swift 

 and lasting peace. 



