Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
179 
mistake. We do not bring to bear the things that we ought to, to 
make every evil doer tremble. Those farmers when they go into 
the grange think that their work is done. What was our Western 
Farmer at Madison? It was a grand and good thing for our state. 
I have seen their writings in the papers; the best means for bet¬ 
tering the condition of the farmer intellectually and financially 
was given us each week, and we rejoiced in the paper. It was a 
good thing, but it collapsed, it is gone. I think I see this secret 
organization sticking out there. I am not talking to make myself 
popular; but this is suggested from this paper. 
President Bascom. Gentlemen, I am sorry that I could not have 
listened to this entire discussion. I think it is concerning matters 
of the utmost importance to you and all of us, and I feel that I shall 
not say what I say quite so ably as if I had heard all you have said 
and knew how you all felt on this subject. 
It seems to me that nothing unworthy can be said against organ¬ 
ization among farmers; but much can be said in favor of organiza¬ 
tion among farmers; and while that is true, there is very great dan¬ 
ger in connection with them. I have always maintained strikes, 
although I believe nine out of ten of them have resulted in injury; 
but, for the sake of results, and for the sake of the last results, I think 
they have a right to strike, and I think you would do them mis¬ 
chief if you took away from them the right to combine or strike. 
If a man cannot learn that a stone wall is a stone wall in any 
other way than striking his head against it, let him do that. N ow, 
if farmers can discuss their own interests, and if they make some 
very fatal mistakes, nevertheless, it seems to me, they must be 
allowed and encouraged to organize and discuss their own interests; 
yet I apprehend, a good deal of danger and loss in connection with 
the way these organizations would actually be administered and 
developed. 
If farmers could make it their business to understand thoroughly 
their own interests, and at the same time as thoroughly understand 
the interests of the entire community, knowing that it is no more 
possible for them to separate their interests from the interests ot 
the community, than it is for any other class to do the same thing 
—for they may use organizations for this purpose, wisely to consider 
their own interests, and at some time to divest themselves through 
that means of a class of imbeciles, which leads them to look upon 
