The Grange advance., 1873-12-31

have been careless in these or other mat
ters heretofore, let us amend our ways.
In the next place l would say that
THE ORDER OF THE PATRONS OF HUsBASDRY
is by all means the best organization now
in operation in which farmers can unite for
mutual protection and benefit. The Farm
ers' Association is a kindred organization,
and is accomplishing much good, but it is
more of political nature than ours. 1t is
not a secret society, and do not think it
will ever become as popular and as power
full as the Oranges. The Order of the Pa
irons Of Industry has been organized up
on the same plan as our Order, but is
chiefly composed of mechanics, artisans
and laborers in cities. 1t will in all prob
ability become very powerful orgsniza-
ton, and as it seeks to elevate the masses,
and to secure to the laborer the reward of
his labor, and is hostile to every form of
monopoly, we ought to regard it with the
most friendly feelings, and rejoice in its
prosperity.
THE ORANGES
afford every means Of education, and all
the facilities for disseminating knowledge
among the people. They are nothing less
than grand system Of public schools for
grown up children, 80 to speak, for we nev-
er get too old to learn. Here men discuss
the questions OF the day and compareideas,
and mind sharpens mind. This begets \
spirit Of inquiry and investigation, and
herein is the salvation Of the country. A
people who do not inquire and investigate
are only fit for despotism. When the
jailor cried "Men and brethren what shall
[ do to be saved?' he found salvation with
in his reach. So shall we find that we
have the power to redress all our griev-
ances right in our own hands. l do not
believe in the doctrine that "a little learn
ing is dangerous thing 1t is absolutely
necessary that we get little before we can
there must have been period in all our
lives when we were dangerous animals, and
it is very doubtful whether we've yet got
past the dangerous period. do not care
to take my chances under that doctrine
We must be careful, however, in our dis
cussions to engender no i'll will or hard
feelings. The rule laid down is that we are
not to discuss political or religious subjects.
This rule must be construed according to
equity and common sense, and with view to
the danger to be avoided. They are forbidden
simply because they are apt to indame the
passions and introduce discord. We shall
not touch upon denominational or sectarian
questions, but surely no man would forbid
the discussion Of the great moral questions
in the Oranges. If we are not permitted
to debate any question Of political natur,
| we might as we'll shut down on discussion.
altogether, for there is no question affect
ing public interest that is not, or may not
be made a political one. I understand the
rule to mean questions of strictly parti
zan character. But the spirit of this re-
strictive rule is that we are to discus.
nothing that is calculated to produce dis
cord and strife. Whenever you find AM
subject before you is disturbing the har
mony and union of your Grange, drop it
No matter how important the subject ma,
be, or how important it is that it should b.
correctly determined, it is thousand time
better that it should be laid aside than tha
your harmony and good feeling be destroy
ed. adjure you, as you love the Order
as you desire to make it perpetual in tn
land, as you desire to leave it gloriou
heritage for your children, allow nothin
to mar your harmony, union and concord
United we stand, divided we fall:
Be careful % to the character, standin
and reputation Of the men you admit to til
Grange. -~
AS my duty was simply to open this di'
cussion, fear have exceeded my limi
, and trespassed upon your patience an
time. I desire, however, to refer to or
. other means Of success in this movemen
8 It is rather rough on my usual sensiti,
5 feelings Of modesty, yet must say that
: good live paper like