No. 4.] FARMERS' NATIONAL CONGRESS. 241 



civil government and enacted laws for its stability, most of 

 which we at this time recognize to have been wise and bene- 

 ficial. The farmers were the lawmakers; they were mem- 

 bers gf the legislative assemblies, of the governor's councils 

 and of the judicial courts ; and they performed their duties 

 with an ability and conscientiousness that reflect great credit 

 upon their official conduct. 



The farmer's patriotism, bravery and willingness to take 

 up arms in defence of his country are unquestioned, and yet 

 his chosen occupation is one necessarily of peace. His in- 

 terests and prosperity are best served when peace reigns, 

 and grim-visaged war hinders not a fair exchange of the 

 products of the soil and commerce. Such being the case, 

 why should he not join his efforts to those who seek to de- 

 spoil war of its devastating influences and bloody horrors, by 

 leaving to arbitration all questions arising between Christian 

 nations not involving national honor, and thereby hasten the 

 time when "swords shall be beaten into plow-shares, and 

 spears into pruning-hooks," and "nation shall not lift up 

 sword against nation, and neither shall learn war any more." 



An able address was delivered by F. A. Converse of Buf- 

 falo, N. Y., on " Why ettbrts of the farmer should be 

 directed to an intelligent cheapening of production," 



The evening session was well attended. The essayist was 

 Hon. Alexander R. Smith of New York, and his subject, 

 " Our shipping interests." Prof. Elwood Mead of Cheyenne, 

 head of the irrigation department of the United States, gave 

 an address on "Irrigation investigations." 



On the second day, Hon. J. B. Killebrew of Tennessee 

 read a paper on "Natural resources of the south." Mr. 

 George M. Whitaker of Massachusetts read a paper on 

 "Dairying." Mr. R. W. Tansill of Pecos Valley, N. M., 

 addressed the Congress on the resources of New Mexico. 

 Mr. A. J. Lockridge of Indiana read a paper on " The mis- 

 sion of the farmer," and Mr. J. A. Springer of Colorado 

 gave a talk on the " Value and importance of the live stock 

 interests of the west." Mr. J. P. Brown of Indiana read a 

 paper on the "Relation of forestry to agriculture," foUowed 

 by Mr. Ethan Brooks of Massachusetts, with an address on 

 " Agriculture as a branch of public education." 



