300 Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
so if it would, and by unwarrantable interference, it may seriously 
aggravate the difficulty. ’Governments have been slow to learn 
their province in this direction, and individuals have been slower 
still in dissipating the folly of appealing to legislation for aid in 
matters which natural laws only, if allowed to operate, can con¬ 
trol. All attempts to regulate the wages of labor or the profits of 
capital by direct interference of statute law are theoretically wrong, 
and are generally in the end, practically mischievous. For rea¬ 
sons similar in kind, the relations between the farmer and the 
transporter—the manufacturer and those who intervene between 
him and the ultimate market—between him and those who put 
the product to its final use, are difficult of direct legislative con¬ 
trol. It is the business of legislation at this point, to see that the 
best possible conditions are supplied for the free and healthy op¬ 
eration of natural laws. This done, its mission here is ended. Our 
absolute need, at the present time, of a more perfect water com¬ 
munication with the Atlantic, is unquestionable. And this is 
needed not simply because heavy freights can thus be more cheaply 
carried, but also because it would open a broader field for the 
working of the only laws which can adjust and keep rates of trans¬ 
portation to a fair and equitable standard. Competition pure and 
simple would cure most of the ills of which complaint is made— 
meanwhile much may be done to dissipate or to counteract them. 
To this end, farmers of Wisconsin, organize associations in every 
township and county of the state—organize, not for the purpose 
of making' war upon railroads, but to prevent these and every 
other industrial interest from making war upon you — not war, 
direct and positive, but that of the indirect and negative kind — 
that which comes of organized, active effort on their part, with a 
keen eye always out upon the “ situation.” Agricultural associa¬ 
tions, great and small, have an invaluable educating influence, if 
properly conducted. That influence reaches out far beyond the 
associated circle, and tends to lift this noble profession to higher 
vantage ground. Let the markets of the world be carefully 
watched, and prudent foresight be on the alert to take advantage of 
every favorable circumstance. Above all, let the ground princi¬ 
ples which underlie all production and exchange be understood* 
These, among other things, teach that there is no natural antagon- 
