PROGRAM OF RECONSTRUCTION 227 



vital privileges of the few are to spread to the many; 

 that the competent are to share with the less compe- 

 tent; that the masses of the people are to have larger 

 responsibility and more effective voice in determining 

 not alone their methods of government, but the condi- 

 tions under which they work and live. He is conscious 

 that men of all races, realizing the flaws in their mode 

 of living together, are determined to plan a better civ- 

 ilization, to reconstruct, if necessary, the very founda- 

 tions as well as the superstructure of society. 



The American farmer insists that as a matter of mere 

 justice he shall become a beneficiary of this proposed re- 

 building of human institutions. He is not willing to 

 admit that it is a problem which concerns only or even 

 chiefly the so-called " laboring classes." He himself 

 is a laborer, a member of a group of industrial workers 

 more numerous than those of any other great occupa- 

 tion. He is aware that in some countries the farmers 

 outnumber all other workers combined. His work is 

 fundamental to all other work. He not only feeds the 

 world, but he furnishes vast quantities of raw material 

 out of which are fabricated clothing and similar indis- 

 pensable supplies. Poor farming in any nation is dis- 

 astrous to its industry, and disadvantaged farmers are 

 a menace to any civilization. Moreover, the rural peo- 

 ples have a contribution to make to a better form of 

 society. Country life of the right sort breeds men and 

 women who hold firmly to ideals of freedom, of thrift, 

 of moral responsibility. The farmer's voice then 

 should be heard in all councils designed to discuss and 

 provide for social reconstruction. He has a right to be 

 heard where his interests are at stake and a duty to act 

 where his service can forward the progress of hu- 

 manity. 



