Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-08-21

trees on the blu0 az Rousseau, On the
south bank Of the Des Moines, six
miles north Of Knoxville, was the
scene Of . Grange Picnic last Satur-
day. At 10 q. m. we found ourselves
on the grounds, in throng estimated
at from 600 to 1000 persons, mainly
farmers and their families, who had
assembled to enjoy social meeting
and a basket dinner, in the woods.
The severe work of gathering the
harvest had been finished, and the
time was appropriate for day OF rest
and recreation.
A large number of the Changers,
male and female, wore the plain but
neat regalia Of the Order; and glance
at the crowd was sufficient to show
that 1t was an assemblage of Patrons
of Husbandry. A more delightful
day for such meeting could not have
been chosen, the rain Of the previous
day having laid the dust and cooled
the atmosphere.
A quoir Of young ladies and an or
gan, under the management of Rev.
l.. Kimberly, of Coalport, occupied a
wagon near the stand, and dispensed
excellent music at intervals.
At 1880, Hon. Green T. Clark, Pres
ident of the Day. called the assemblage
to order, and introduced Mr.. c. H.
Robinson, who spoke 30 minutes, in .
lively and interesting strain. He said
, the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
had been established as a brotherhood
of labo-ing men, for the mutual bens-
| i1t and encouragement gifts members,
for soeiaLand intellectual culture, the
settlement Of disputes, and the protec-
ton of their interests as n class. A
combination is necessary, for in COM
bination is strength. We do not OPP
pose railroads, but deem them a bles-
sing to the country and want to
encourage them. We only ask fol
Just protection from the power of mo-
nepolies. The stagnation in the mon
ey market, which impedes the build
ing of railroads has not been created
by the Grange. We are in favor oil
progress, encouraging home manufac-
lures, bringing mouths here TO feed,
aud keeping money at home. The
| idea that we as an Order wish to de-
stroy middle men, and injure our
merchants and our towns, IL q mistak-
en- one. The Grange store project has
exploded. We are dependent upon
our merchants, and they upon US.
Tariff for protection benefits the East,
but operates against the West. Tar
ifs should be reduced to u revenue
| basis.
At the close Of Mr.. Robinson's ad-
dress the President announced recess
until p. m. Meanwhile hundred
groups spread their lunch upon the
grass aud partook of the contents OF
their baskets in the usual picnic
style.
Again assembled at the stand at 2
o'clock, the people listened to a speech
by Mr.. Robert Crozier, of Polk town.
ship. Speaking of railroads, he said
We want them, but they must give US
fair rates. We must send men to
Congress and the Legislature who will
make just laws. Changers held a Con-
vention in Knoxville last June.
Tricksters were sent there to break up
our convention aud prevent the nom-
ination Of a ticket. We have chosen
our men aud will stand behind them
We assure you that th0y are all hon
orable men; and we have confidence
that the laboring mon Of the county
will assist us to elect them. Pointing
to Mr.. Clark, by his side, he said
know that when we send Granger te
the Legislature we send an honest
man, one who cannot be corrupted
even ii millions are offered him as
BRIDE"
Geo. w. Harsin responded to the
toast "The hand that plies the nee.
die" and continued in a speech TO,
the Grange and the Grange party tick.
ct. Said the Grange is not political
party any more than the Methodist OF
the Baptist Church is such. Legisla.
ture has the right to control railroads
Mr.. II. denounced the newspapers a
only calculated TO stir up strife and
make trouble between nelghbors. Re
lated an anecdote to illustrate the
proposition that nine out of ten Of the
farmers are competent to represen,
Marion County in the Legislature, and
that there ia not one lawyer or doct
or in the county sufficiently honest fol
a Representative.
| Rev. L. Kimberly, Mr.. Stevens ant
Hon. g. 7. Clark responded to toasts
The whole affair was in every way
pleasant and successful.