The Grange advance., 1873-12-17
For the Grange Advance.
The Grange.

The annual session of the State
Grange is now close at hand. The
meeting at Faribault on the 10th inst.
swill doubtless be attended by many Of
the best and most earnest farmers Of
our State. The grand object Of the
meeting, if we mistake not, is to pro
mote the Good Of the Order" al
though, no doubt, the agricultural in
terests of the State will receive thcir
due share Of attention.
Some people imagine that the prin,;,-
ry aim and object of those who join the
order, is the accomplishment Of some
selfish end. Some tell US that the
Grange is political institution and
that consequently it is :'short lived" :"
Others tell us that it is a secret organ
ization, instituted for no special purpose,
and carried on with reference to no
specific object.
The organization known as the Pat
rons of Husbandry was established for
the purpose Of benefting the farming
and ]aboring classes Of community.
1t seeks to improve the social and in
tellectual, as we'll as the pecuniary con-
dition Of its members. The objects of
the Order, had constantly in view, are
many and various Through the
Grange information is received. and by
it knowledge is impaired. 1t brings
together in council the sturdy" sons of
toll" from the farm and the fireside, and
furnishes them with work and recrea
ton. 1t cultivatcs friendship, nurtures
hope, and teaches. principles of charity
and fidelity. In short, it seeks to make
the business Of farming more attractive
and profitable.
There are some people in the world
who consider it disgrace to cultivate
the soil, and who regard the farmers
avocation life of care and drudgery
1t is true there are those who have
farmed it " for years without stopping
to think whether or not their business
pays-who do not study cause and ef
fect-who take no papers, but toll on
from year to year with nothing to break
the dull monotony Of their lives. It
is not so with he wide-awake thinking
farmer. He may labor hard from day
to day but he reads and reflects He
tills the soil because he takes delight
in agricultural pursuits. The flowers
Of the field. the fragrance of the air,
the song of the birds, and the beauties
Of the landscape, all afford him pleasure
while engaged in his round of daily la
Dor. 1t is the duty as we'll as the
privilege of all to employ their mental
faculties. The Grange recognizes this
fact, and attendance upon its meetings
have brought about the most favorable
results We make no wild assertion
when we say that the Changers are
reading, intelligent class Of people and
thoroughly in earnest.
The prosperity and wealth of our
Government depends largely upon the
industry and prosperity of the farmer.
If nature fails to requite the husband
man for his labor, he is not the only
one that suffers; all branches of trade
are affected more or less. Those who
meet in the Grange to consult and
compare notes realize that only practical
farming pays. Agriculture has been
reduced almost to science, and it re-
quires no ordinary amount of ability and
tact to run" farm successfully.
For the first time in the history Of
the world the farmers everywhere are
organizing to promote their material
welfare. Farmers Clubs and kindred
associations have been tried time and
again, but having no concert of action
have soon disbanded. Not so with the
Grange; County Unions or Councils of
Oranges are being organized all over