PROGRAM OF RECONSTRUCTION 255 



protection and self-help. The lone farmer is always 

 at a disadvantage. Predatory interests must be met 

 by a determined front. Farmers must have the chance 

 to express their own convictions. Class power and ef- 

 ficiency show themselves best in capacity for self-direc- 

 tion. Only through association can farmers defend 

 themselves; only so can they make their fullest con- 

 tributions to the general welfare. There is danger in 

 organization. The individual may lose himself in 

 some big overhead attachment. Powerful combina- 

 tions of farmers may exercise their power wrongfully. 

 But the gains are far greater than the losses. The 

 farmer has been called the most independent of men; 

 but alone he is no longer independent. He becomes 

 truly free, under modern conditions, only as he joins 

 with his fellows for common ends. The dangers aris- 

 ing in associated activity from impulse or ignorance, 

 selfish class interests or feeling can be met by education, 

 time and experience. 



Though it is doubtful if a farmers' political party 

 can have any permanent place in America, the farmers 

 must be free to act together to influence parties, meas- 

 ures and men. There should be room in the rural 

 program for a fighting force of farmers. The need 

 for such aggressive tactics may arise only occasionally; 

 but sound policy calls for its recognition. But rural 

 associations do not exist for their own sakes. They 

 must seek to serve. They must not be narrow in their 

 views or in their activities. They are for the good of 

 all or they are no good at all. They must be ready to 

 cooperate heartily with one another and with public 

 agencies. They should become as efficient as possible, 

 each doing its own part in the program of rural better- 

 ment. 



