to check this dangerous and growing evil, absolute serfdom would be the result.

In casting about for some means of relief, various plans were devised. We, from time to time, heard of the Laborers' Unions of Europe, of the Internationals of France, and of late years we have been studying the old system of the freehold cities of Germany, with their perfect system of guilds and associations of labor, which all finally went down under the iron heel of despotism. While looking for light, while casting about for relief, there were rumors of a new organization, peculiarly American in its character, and one which was designed to unite together, in one common bond of brotherhood, the laboring and producing classes. This new organization was called the Patrons of Husbandry. Born of a great and almost terrible need, in obedience to the divine law of supply and demand, in our day and hour of need, this organization came to strengthen our hands, and to form a united interest from the Atlantic to the Pacific slope. I remember very distinctly the first time I read the preamble to the National Constitution of the National Grange. Volumes might be written and not more clearly express man's relation to his brother man, and to the Father.

I have sometimes been pained at the tenacity with which some members of our Order cling, with an absorbing purpose, to simply the pecuniary aspect of our work. Brothers, this is commendable, but it is not all. Our sons and daughters must be educated. Educated, not only in books, but in that broader education which takes in all of the human character. Nowhere can this be so well done as in the Grange room. Here the highest and broadest moral sentiments are taught, line upon line, and precept upon precept. The highest attributes of human character are here brought forward. Meanness and bitterness are rebuked, and the mind is expanded. Not alone, however, are our children educated in the Grange room. We ourselves are benefited. How many men and women are learning how business men do business, and the relations all sustain to the government and to commerce. When our Order has passed the elementary stages, and has become, so to speak, solidified, no class of people in our land will be as learned, as broad in their views, as

SPEECH OF GRAND MASTER SMEDLEY.

269

farmers. I look for the time to come when from the farms and shops of Iowa will go forth men who will fill our executive and legislative halls; when intelligence will become so broad and general that it will be impossible for our judiciary to be corrupt; and when we shall cease to hear of venal legislators and corrupt public servants. No experiment of modern times has been so important as the one under consideration. The farmers of this nation are on trial before the world. The question is now to be settled as to whether they are capable of self-government; as to whether they are competent to do business, and whether they are susceptible of a high condition of educational advancement. The experiment is now to be tried, practically, as to whether woman is competent to assume equal and like responsibilities with man; as to whether our wives, mothers, daughters, and friends shall work with us, joining hands in all life's duties. Sisters and brothers, do we feel the importance of this trial? Are we fully aware of the importance of this experiment? Do we realize just what it means? That it means, upon the one hand, a servile, slavish, and secondary condition; on the other, manhood and womanhood in their highest and broadest sense? It means, on the one hand, comparative poverty; on the other, affluence. It means, on the one hand, ignorance; on the other, enlightenment. It means serfdom on the one hand, and freedom on the other. It means that our children shall be the future hewers of wood and drawers of water in the nation, or American citizens, brave, strong, self-reliant, and competent for all places of trust and responsibility. It means that labor shall be a degradation, or that work shall be ennobled, elevated, and a badge of conferring honor. Again I say, do we fully realize the importance of this experiment? Do we take in all its power and significance?

Let us, then, with clean hands and pure hearts, consecrate all that is best and noblest in us, to the success of a work more patient and sublime in its character than any ever before undertaken. Let each lay upon the altar of this new Order whatever he or she may have of selfish ambition or of mercenary motive, and, joining hands, let us covenant that our best and highest thought and action shall be dedicated to the cause of justice and humanity. Let us pledge, each to the other, that we will labor faithfully, patiently, earnestly,

and persistently to purify and lift up ourselves, State and Nation being ever in mind. Let us remember that if we would triumph in the unequal conflict upon which we now enter, we must fear God, obey our laws, maintain our honors, not forgetting that a good matron, as well as a good husbandman, has taken solemn obligations and assumed grave responsibilities. And now may the Great Master of the universe bless us in our labor, and sustain and abide with us, both here and when our work here is finished.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE KANSAS FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

THE STATE CONVENTION AT TOPEKA.

On the 26th of March, 1873, a mass convention of the farmers of Kansas was held at Topeka, at which was formed the now powerful organization known as the "Farmers' Cooperative Association of the State of Kansas." The meeting originated with the Manhattan Farmers' Club, which passed resolutions requesting the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, Mr. Alfred Gray, to call a State Convention, to be composed of delegates from Farmers' Clubs. This was done, and, subsequently, the call was enlarged so as to include Farmers' Unions, Granges, and other similar organizations.

While the formal initiatory business of the Convention was being transacted, Mr. Henry Bronson, Dr. Lawrence, and Mr. Van Winkle delivered addresses on the incidents of taxation, and farmers' grievances generally. The speaker first mentioned declared that it was because of a false financial system, and a false political system no longer bearable, saddled on the people, that the farmers have come here to see if they can not be righted. It is useless to say they can do nothing; for they have the votes and the power, though want of organization has kept them from accomplishing these re

forms. Just so soon as organization is effected they will be as strong as they are now weak. It matters not whether this be done by Farmers' Unions or by the Patrons of Husbandry, and he would never quarrel with the means that accomplished these ends, and desired all to work with the means and tools that suited best; but there should be no antagonism. They had strong powers to combat, and when they met them in fight should be confident that they were strong enough to cope with the enemy. He counseled them to avoid divisions, and believed that there was a working force in the land that would culminate in a strength sufficient to make their efforts a success.

The verification of credentials having been concluded, the Committee on Organization recommended the following named gentlemen:

Hon. John Davis for President; Jonathan Weaver and Alfred Taylor for Vice-Presidents; J. K. Hudson for Secretary; and J. T. Stevens, Assistant Secretary. The President-elect briefly thanked the Convention, and business was proceeded with.

After adopting a resolution limiting speeches to ten minutes, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution for a permanent organization. In the course of the discussion which preceded this action, Governor Robinson said that the