State Bee-Keepers' Association. 83 



"It is a well known fact — oae firmly established in the minds of all, that 

 'in union there is strength,' and a union of bee-keepers to defend our pursuit 

 from the unjust attacks of ignorant or prejudiced person, is not only desir- 

 able but very necessary to our well being and general prosperity. 



"For this purpose, and for it alone, does the National Bee-Keepers' 

 Union exist — to throw a safeguard around the pursuit, as well as its de- 

 votees. It does not seek a quarrel, but when one is forced upon any of its 

 members it sets up a 'defense' by its veiy e.xistence and record. It is also a 

 iuar?iing to ignorant and jealous enemies to beware how they triHe with the 

 pursuit of apiculture, and to keep their hands off of the interests of its de- 

 votees. It warns them that the kee-keepers, as well as the bees, have a 

 sting, with which to torture their enemies ! 



"The Union not only seeks to obtain decisions from the highest courts 

 of America, but also to have on record these decisions to be quoted as pre- 

 cedents in all the courts of law, and by all the lawyers who practice therein. 



"When the prosecution in Arkansas realized that bee-keepers had an 

 organized body for defending the pursuit against the malicious attacks of 

 tiie ignorant and the prejudiced, it ifcakened — it tried to 'hedge' — was will- 

 ing to disiiiss all the cases against Mr. Clark on a pretended informality in 

 his bonds ! 



"Several other cases might be cited, serving to illustrate the fact, that 

 belonging to such an organization is of itself not only an honor, but also a 

 power in the defensive ! If a jealous or prejudiced neighbor finds that a 

 bee-keeper belongs to the Union for the defense of the pursuit, he will think 

 twice before rushing into a lawsuit. 



"The decision in the Supreme court of Arkansas will do more to guar- 

 antee bee-keepers their rights than anything that has ever been done in 

 America If the Union should never do another thing; and go out of exist- 

 ence at once, that decision will be its 'crown of glory,' and its generous 

 benediction. 



