1895. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



64:7 



been misrepresented. By repeated and urgent requests, I 

 wrote a short article for publication on the proposed consolida- 

 tion, pointing out the only feasible method of accomplishing 

 it, incidentally remarking that I did not believe that the mem- 

 bers of the Bee-Keepers' Union would consent to have the 

 funds, raised for defense, used for delegates to go to " see the 

 boys and have a good time," as had been hinted by some. 



I purposely refrained from expressing an opinion on the 

 question of merging the two societies into one, because of my 

 connection with the latter, which might be construed by some 

 to be selfish, if I opposed it, and, perhaps puerile, if I ap- 

 proved it. Just imagine my surprise when I read the heading 

 which the editor bad placed over my communication. It read 

 thus: " A Union of the North American and the Bee-Keep- 

 ers' Union Will be Opposed by the Manager of the Latter." 

 And yet not a word can be found in the communication upon 

 which to base such a deduction ! In fact, I thought favorably 

 at first of the proposition, but was surprised at the lack of 

 suggestions as to how it was to be accomplished, and there- 

 fore volunteered to outline the necessary modus operandi so 

 far as the Bee-Keepers' Union was concerned. That must 

 have been construed into opposition, for nothing else could 

 possibly be so interpreted. I fancy that many friends of the 

 consolidation e.xpected me here, "with sword and spear," to 

 fight them. In this they will be disappointed, for I am only 

 trying to find a thoroughly practical method of consolidation. 

 If that be found, then count me in its favor — if not, then I am 

 opposed to any bungling work in that direction. 



I would now request the author and supporters of the 

 suggestion to show how the two societies can operate advan- 

 tageously, if consolidated — the work to be accomplished by 

 the united society, and how it is to be done. In short, to 

 " show their hand," so that we may know what to expect. 



So far, the National Bee-Keepers' Union has been a phe- 

 nomenal success. It has fought a good fight and come off 

 victorious. Its opponents have been worthy of its steel. It 

 has fought village, city, and State legislation against bee- 

 culture — powers in high and low places, and has wrung from 

 the highest courts of America, decisions in favor of bee-keep- 

 ing, which will be referred to, as precedents, for generations 

 to come. In fact, it stands to-day without a peer — aye, with- 

 out an equal, as a " rock of defense" for the pursuit, sup- 

 porting it against the assaults of ignorance, envy and preju- 

 dice, in every State and Province in North America. 



Is it too much, then, to demand that oUr constitutional 

 rights be respected, in giving to each member a full and free 

 vote, on the question of uniting its fortunes with any other 

 society on the globe ? Is it not my duty to demand that it 

 shall be shown how the combination can be effected and 

 operated without crippling its efficiency ; abridging the rights 

 and privileges of its members to manage its own affairs, and 

 at the same time to maintain its prosperity and perpetuity '? 



It must be stated that the Bee-Keepers' Union was created 

 to do a distinct work — to defend bee-keepers in the enjoyment 

 of their just and legal rights. This it has done, is now doing, 

 and doubtless will continue to do, to the entire satisfaction of 

 its members, to the honor of the pursuit, and to the admira- 

 tion of just and honorable men the World over. Anything, 

 therefore, which may cripple its efficiency, or prevent further 

 triumphs, will be universally deplored, and must be obviated. 



In advance of any action at this convention, it is but just 

 and right to ascertain the thoughts and feelings of the mem- 

 bers of both societies. One prominent member of both organi- 

 zations wrote to me thus : 



" Why unite ? There will be antagonism at once. I trust 

 that the Union, which heretofore has done the work, will stay 

 by itself, and on its own lines do the work it was created to 

 do, without regard to the Association, which also has its own 

 special work to do." 



Out of the many letters received by the General Manager, 

 from members of the National Bee-Keepers' Union, not one 

 has been favorable to the consolidation, except possibly one 

 from an editor of a bee-periodical. From a very emphatic one, 

 let me quote a portion to show the intense feeling of the writer 

 on the proposed consolidation. He says : 



" I notice that there Is a general desire for an expression 

 of opinion as to the desirability of uniting the North American 

 Bee-Keepers' Association and the National Bee-Keepers' 

 Union. Well, my vote is — No! No!! NO!!! There might 

 be many reasons brought forward against the consolidation, 

 but one only seems strong enough to condemn it. The North 

 American should first make itself a representative body — show 

 that it has a spark of inherent vitality to contribute to the 

 combination." 



These letters can, of course, only exhibit individual views 



and feeling, but they come from members who have paid their 

 money for dues, and must be considered. They have each a 

 " voice " as well as a " vote." 



Now, on the other hand: If, as some have suggested, it 

 is concluded to be desirable to reduce the annual dues of the 

 Bee-Keepers' Union, to provide for annual convocations, and 

 thus to gather in its fold all the bee-keepers of America— I 

 can see no objeciion to that method of consolidation, for the 

 Bee-Keepers' Union has shown itself to be strong and power- 

 ful, and able to cope with the opposition. It possesses in- 

 herent vitality, has from four to eight times as many members 

 as the North American, and carries a good Bank balance, and 

 has won the right to exist. It is in good working order, and 

 has a glorious future before it. 



But here, again, my pride is challenged. Why let the old 

 mother society die? After a quarter of a century's work, it 

 has earned the right to a permanent place among the institu- 

 tions of Earth. Why not make another desperate effort to 

 form the North American Bee-Keepers' Association into a 

 representative body ? True, repeated efforts have not accom- 

 plished this in the past. Say not that they were failures — 

 call each one but a delay, and make another effort. If a 



TliO)iias G. Newman, Chicago, HI. 



glorious work is before us, let no one ever use the word 

 " failure." 



When Cardinal Richelieu desired to send a mesenger on a 

 difficult mission to recover some important papers, and had 

 instructed him accordingly, the youth hesitatingly exclaimed : 

 "If I should fail !" 



"Fail," said the Cardinal, "Fail! In the Lexicon of 

 youth, which Fate reserves for a bright manhood, there is no 

 such word as Fail." 



Let us catch up that refrain, and say that for men of 

 noble purposes and iron wills, who have a work to accomplish, 

 "there's no such word as Fail" — and forthwith build on the 

 old foundation a new edifice; around its base let its Represen- 

 tatives cluster, in its beautiful corridors let bee-keepers con- 

 gregate, and from its dome unfurl the old flag, with the wo/ds 

 "North American" in letters of gold, and fling it to the 

 breeze, shouting " Glory to it forever more !" 



'■ In the world's broad field of battle. 

 In the bivouac of Life, 

 Be not like dumb, diiven cattle I 

 But be heroes in the strife ! 



"Trust no Future ! howe'er pleasant ! 

 Let the dead Past bury its dead I 

 Act— act in the llvinjf Present I 

 Heart within, and God o'erhead," 



Chicago, III., Aug. 26, 1895. Thomas G. Newman. 



Dr. Mason — I am opposed to the amalgamation, and I am 

 not. If it can be done in such a manner as not to impair the use- 

 fulness of the Bee-Keepers' Union, I am in favor of the amal- 

 gamation. I move that a committee of seven be appointed by 



