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obligations, then we are bound so to conduct all our 

 schools as to bring them into touch with the actual 

 requirements of modern life. 



Looking forward to the coming struggle for an effi- 

 cient treatment of these problems, American citizens 

 may congratulate themselves on being provided with 

 excellent raw material. We must say there is vastly 

 more ability among the American farmers than is com- 

 monly supposed, though unfortunately it lies for the 

 most part dormant. These dormant talents can be entire- 

 ly revealed and utilized, and for this end we should 

 organize. 



In the first place it must be understood that these 

 natural talents do not generally make themselves 

 manifest in connection with book learning. Com- 

 pulsory education is far too mechanical, too much 

 associated lately with money getting to be of 

 much avail in the discovery and encouragement of this 

 dormant talent. But a more true and rational educa- 

 tion is that laboriously gathered from experience of 

 life, and will fulfill the true purpose, stimulate and 

 strengthen the natural faculties. The simple test of 

 this kind of education is to be found in the success of 

 the 1,700 friendly associations, the 2,000 building and 

 loan associations, the 200 different kinds of trades 

 unions, and various other tj^pesof society. 



All are standing evidences of a great capacity 

 amongst the industrial classes for conducting ordinary 

 financial business. These societies and associations are 

 nearly all under the direct control of workingmen. I 

 will cite you to the famous co-operative stores of Great 

 Britain as a most striking example of what can be 

 done by a thorough system or organization. 



These stores number about 1,500, and their member- 



