26o AMERICAN FARMS. 



Western world from the disease which has fastened itself 

 upon it ? Surely we will not let the sun go down upon 

 our days without the consoling thought that we, in this 

 respect, have done something to make the world fairer, 

 brighter, happier, and better. 



It is unwise for any citizen who desires the best good 

 for his country to shun the study ; or evade a part, in a 

 practical solution of these vexed political, economic, and 

 social problems. It is not reasonable for us to complain 

 of our evil laws, or of our law-makers, if we take no 

 responsibility in improving them, or do nothing in the 

 way of giving a moral backing to those who do. Plato's 

 remark that " the wise are punished for taking no part 

 in government, by being governed by worse people than 

 themselves," still holds good. 



While from our pulpits and platforms proceed loud and 

 emphatic denunciations of the evils of selfishness, greed, 

 injustice, robbery, duplicity, fraud, and corruption ; the 

 people should know that some of the false systems which 

 engender these evils can, and will, be swept away, and 

 that they must take part in its accomplishment. And 

 while it is necessary that we place in our governing 

 bodies, men of genuine integrity, of wise foresight, and 

 strong purpose, to represent our views and to carry them 

 into the statute-books ; it should not be forgotten, that 

 it is necessary, that all who represent these sentiments 

 among the people become an active part of an organized 

 body of reformers. 



It is the people's great question, and it is needless to 

 spend time trying to convert politicians. When the spirit 

 of reform sinks deep into the hearts of the people, and a 

 determination is shown to bring it about, the politician 

 is powerless to stay its progress. 



