with which to
buy, the advent of any conceivable quantity of improved machinery on the
co-operative farm, would only serve to increase the wealth, leisure and
independence of the co-operators.

"Such well-conditioned people could not, under any circumstances, be
forced to leave homes of luxury and refinement in the country, to become
the working slaves of a manufacturing syndicate in the city. Indeed! Why
should they? Why should these co-operators, or any one with the
opportunity to become such, go to the city to accept an insufficient and
uncertain wage; to be compelled to pay five prices for food, when a
better and more abundant supply, could be raised on lands of their own,
with less than one-half the exertion? Having good homes of their own,
why should these people pay exorbitant rents to owners of tenement
houses, for the poor privilege of living in stuffy rooms, choked with
smoke and filth, and surrounded by the clatter, the strife, the poverty
and the soul-wearing competition of the great city.

"Why should they rob their children of health and happiness, by
depriving them of a natural birthright, healthful exercise, free access
to the pure air, the bright sunshine, the blue sky and the unnumbered
charms of country life, with its fascination of ever changing landscape,
a picturesque mingling of verdure clad hills, green meadows, shady
forests, clear lakes and bold mountains? Why should these children be
compelled to live a cramped, unnatural life, confined to the narrow
streets, poisoned both mentally and physically, by the foul air,
disease, corruption, crime and misery of the densely populated city? Why
should agriculturists, who are independent co-operative owners of the
soil, humiliate themselves by joining the vast army of struggling
competitors, who throng the already overcrowded labor market in our
great cities? Why should they be eager to become the financial and
political slaves of the leaders of the competitive system; the social
autocrats, who form the society of the 'Four Hundred?'"

"Can a Josiah Strong answer these questions? No! Why not? Because, in
blindly reasoning and writing from the competitive standpoint, he has
quite overlooked the fact that agriculture is the base of all wealth. He
has forgotten, that as a class, agricultural people who own the farming
lands of the country, hold the key to the situation. Made conscious of
their strength by co-operation, they are the most independent peop