State Convention—mutual dependence. 233 
that some have fallen into in speaking of other callings ! As a 
farmer, all I ask is, that I be allowed to stand on my own merit 
as such: and that is my only standard of respect for others. In 
this respect we are all on an exact horizontal level. 
The fact is as already stated, we have altogether too many farm¬ 
ers in proportion to the population. Here is the great difficulty. 
Rectify this mistake and a terrible pressure is taken off. Con¬ 
tinue as we are, and any amount of scolding and faultfinding will 
not effect permanent relief. We must have a large increase in other 
industries. We must have a larger proportion of mechanics and 
artisans, traders and manufacturers. Nothing short will affect a 
permanent cure. 
But it is said it will take too long to even up in this way. Not 
so. it is the quickest way it can be done and at the same time 
make a good job of it, and besides I do not believe this surface 
work, this family guard, this guerilla warfare will ever secure any 
permanent good to any one. At least it can afford but temporary 
relief. The causes that produced the difficulty, the forces that 
have brought about this upheaval of the social crust are deep ; 
and if they are untouched by those who labor for social ameliora¬ 
tion, as soon as these bustling yet inefficient endeavors are 
allowed to cool, as cool they certainly will, there is nothing to 
prevent a fresh bursting forth, furious as ever. 
These faint spasmodic endeavors, that were conceived and born 
in spasms, and are sure to die in spasms, are impotent to meet an 
emergency so overwhelming. A medicine that cannot by any pos¬ 
sibility reach the seat of the disease, is worse than no medicine at 
all. No, let us rather dig deep and lay a firm foundation for the 
mutual and permanent prosperity of all interested ; leaving all 
minor diffieultes and differences to the sure and thorough and 
safe and good natured arbitrament of free competition. 
“So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith.” 
It is a matter of paramount importance that we husband our 
resources and concentrate our energies at one single point, viz ; a 
hand to hand tussel with transportation monopoly. Here is a 
common foe. All are equally interested in rectifying this evil. 
This is the giant evil, and it will not do to fritter away our ener- 
