The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-02-10

tional ten cents, as an annual due for him,
Or total of fifty cents for the year. Thus,
Of five dollars and over, paid by new
member into the treasury of this Grange
during the first year of his membership,
only fifty cents is claimed by the National
Grange, and, after he has taken all the de-
grees, it claimes only. ten cents as his
annual due. - #Etss
The woman membership feature, like
wise, appeared to be very Objectionable
One. " Woman's proper sphere of action"
| repeated, ais the tireside when she
leaves that to join societies, ETC., she takes
the first step towards woman's rights"
But there is no more danger of her becom-
ing woman's rights woman at the Grange
than there is of her becoming one at the
freside, for at each place she is in COM
Iany with her husband and brother. More
DYER, the woman's rights movement is q
political abortion, conceived in the diseas-
cd brains of a few dissolute woman, the
mere suspicion of any connection with
which would bring the blush of shame to
every pure woman's cheek, while at the
Grange all political discussions are rigo-
rpusly prohibited. As to the Importance
Of woman's aid, | thought of the numerous
Instance afforded by history of the power
full influence she has always exercised over
the destinies of mankind, but a stronger
proof of that Importance exists in the mind
Of every man in the United States who is
blessed with "a faithful and Intelligent
wife. But where is henecessity for secre-
cy' Why cannot the workings of the
Order be open to the gaze of all men p
Men who do good only are never afraid to
have their actions scrutinized. Certainly
not. But wise men keep their own coun-
sci, and of what they do the world knows
nothing until it is done. The general who
conceives great stragetic movement con,
tides his plans only to few trusty follow
ment comes before Congress it sits in Sc
cret session. The general does not conceal
his plans, nor Congress its deliberations,
through fear of the worlds scrutiny, but
because the safety of the interests involved
demands that secrecy be observed. In
like manner, then, the Patrons conceal
their deliberations, because by go doing
they insure greater security and efficiency
in their workings. Thus, also, are bad
men prevented availing themselves of the
advantages of the Order to impose upon
the credulity of mankind. Secret socie-
ties, too, have always been more perman-
nent than others, and will flourish where
the latter die out. When, however, had
got this far, l suddenly remembered that
we had an agricultural society in our coun-
ty, and I began asking myself why it
would not answer all the purposes of this
secret Order of farmers ? After little
reflection upon the objects of such organi
cations found that agricultural societies
are limited in their application to furnish
ing information on the practice of agricul-
ture, horticulture, ETC., on the nature of
soils and manures, to the establishment of
shows for produce, stock, etc, and to the
promotion of agricultural education. Here
then, were the most important objects of
agricultural societies; unless the Patrons
proposed to do more, it was useless to
think further on the subject of joining
them. But, on turning my attention 20
the objects of the Patrons, it soon became
evident that not only did they propose to
do all of the above, but also great deal
more. Besides teaching the farmer how to
practice agriculture after the most improv-
ed methods they, likewise, protect him in
the act. They are ever on the watch to
detect and warn him of imposition, to pre-
vent his intrusting his produce to fra udu-
lent agents, and to bring about reduction
of high freights for his benefit. They ena-
BILE him to purchase his supplies cheaper,
and his tools and machinery at from ten
to twenty-five per cent. less than he can
by any other means. They prevent cruel
ty to animals, nurse the sick, assist the
poor, instruct the youth, establish libra
ries and reading rooms and aim at elevat-
ing all classes, both social and morally
And while agricultural societies, in gener-
al, possess no common bond of union, each
being wholly independent of the other, the
Oranges are but so many "parts of one
stupendous whole" which whole is a body |
firmly united in substance and intent, |
guided by one head, striving for the |
achievement of one end, namely, THE GEN
ERAL GOOD OF THE AGRICULTURIsT AT
LARGE. And this is how came to be |
patron.
WILLIAM E. SIMMONS, !
Charleston s. G.
Information relative to organizing sub |
ordinate Oranges, where State Oranges
have not been established, can be obtained |
by Addressing
q. H. KELLY,
Secretary Of the National Grange, Wash
ington D. c..