The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1872-07-03
Col. Aiken and the Grange,

This gentleman spoke freely and Ar.
entity Monday morning last, in Aayes &
Martins Hall, to large audience Of gen.
tlemen. Ar. Aiken began by telling the
gentlemen of the agricultural cornnuni.
ty t'.at they were not as we'll informed
as thsy might or should be, in their pur-
suit That they should read more earn
es,ly, investigate, experiment and make
practical digest Of their experiences
Tha. the agricultural art, or the science
of agriculture, is both noble and emo.
bling, when treated With its entitled re-
spect. That the tiller OF the soil should
be conversant with all the principles,
forces and collateral agencies which build
up the science in all its metes and bounds.
That those who are willful laggards must
reap the dead fruits Of thci. thrlftless-
ness. TO this end he forcibly urged the
claims Of agricultural papers, and paid q
Gescr7cd tribute to the Rural Carolinian.
Mr. Aikcn's remarks about sheep rails
ing were as good as gold, and should be
needed right now. The advantages Of
the swivel plow were portrayed and
doubtless highly appreciated. The fool
ish prejudices against book farming or
progressive intelligence, rather, were
ably combat:ed.
| One Of the best ideas advanced by Mr.
Aiken, and one frequently urged, was
that the farm or plantation should be
self.sustaining, which would make the
cotton supply surplus Of wealth.
Should this practical principle obtain
among our people We are persuaded there
woald be little use for rings II oranges
either in the commercial or agricultural
world, other than those which foster a
| community Of honorable interests, in all
the professions. Cotton is the most potent
agent in the worlds highway Of traffic,
and the producer could, with concert OF
sction, command the markets of the
world.
With reference to the Grange, which
is of Welsh origin representing Q farm,
Mr.. Aiken states thst nine males and
four females constitute a Grange; that
tho State Grange is composed Of not less
than nine local Oranges, and its officers
taken from the masters of the local
Oranges, and so on with the National
Grange, which has It's head at Washing.
ton.
! In deserved tribute to women, Mr..
Aiken told very clearly Why women
should be members.
| From Mr.. Aiken's remarks we deduce
that the grange is simply for the moral,
social, pecuuisry and agricultural i'm
pro7ement of the people, then Why is it
q secret society? OF fcourse, as be clear
!y stated, there is more or less secrecy
10 all the vocstions and relations Of life.
Between families even Of the most cor.
dial social intimacy, there is no divul-
sence Of the sacred relations of the inner
sanctuary, bot these things arc not re-
ferred to. All societies, sacred and pro-
fame, have more or less privacy Of course.
The church holds its private meetings in
| which the outside world is 10. directly
interested, and yet the church makes no
mention Of its secresy. No man nor cor
poration should carry his heart upon his
sleeve for DAVIS to peck at, &c. Boards
of Trade and Chambers OF Commerce,
&c., are not really secret societies, and
yet outsiders have no right to intrude.
We shall refer to this matter again.