-18- 



lambs in the world, and everybody else are wolves, seeking 

 whom they may devour. 



"Now, as one who was born on a farm, reared on a 

 farm, has spent the flower of his days on a farm, and still 

 earns his bread by tilling the soil, I know my brother far- 

 ers will forgive me if I do not follow in and repeat this 

 strain, but tell plainly the naked, disagreeable truth. Ma- 

 ny of these complaints are true, and we ought to be asham- 

 ed of ourselves that such is the disgraceful fact. Here is a 

 class of people exceeding any other in numbers and wealth, 

 and claiming superior industry, intelligence and morality, 

 complaining of being oppressed. We ought to be ashamed 

 of ourselves, and either cease our boasting or our whining. 



"Let us take a candid look at the situation, and see if 

 we cannot discover what is tlio matter. Let us try and see 

 if there is any good reason why the great majority should 

 be governed and oppressed by a small minority. 



"In human affairs effects follow causes; results are ac- 

 complished by action, even when the actors are unseen. 

 Look at our State and National Governments, and who are 

 the men to whom we entrust this great responsibility? 

 Look at our boards of trade, industrial expositions, and in 

 fact any great project for the advancement of science, art, 

 liberty or industry, and you will find at its head and the 

 moving spirit thereof, a lawyer, doctor, preacher, student, 

 merchant, or, in fact, almost anything but a farmer. These 

 men rule the nation. They shape the laws; they make the 

 channels of trade, and place trade in the channels. They 

 build ships, harness steam to their wagons, make lightning 

 carry their messages; they compel rivers to turn their saws, 

 twirl their spindles, and throw their shuttles. They use 

 their brains, and mind governs the world. 



"Just think of competing against such men by stupid- 

 ly hoeing corn fifteen hours a day and selling it at twenty 

 cents a bushel, and then laying awake nights, growling at 

 railroad men and merchants. The dog who barks at the 



