Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-02-19


OF the Patrons of Husbandry, at St.
Louis.
The National Grange met in the ladies' or
binary of the Southern Hotel, st. Louis, on
Wednesday, Feb. 4, Mr.. Dudley w. adams,
Grand Master, in the chain. After prayer by
the Chaplain, Mr. t. r. Allen, Master of Mis-
souri,, welcomed the delegates in a brief and
cordial speech, adding something about the
great spread and prosperity of the order in
Missouri. Mr. Saunders, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the National Grange,
responded in few felicitous remarks. An
address from Grand Master Adams followed,
which was full of suggestions and words
of encouragement The following is the ad-
dress in full:
Brothers and Sisters of the National Grange:
The work of the National Grange for the
past year has been almost exclusively one of
organization. In this direction it's success has
been such as to excite the constant wonder of
even its own members. while those outside
the gates have beheId our growth with undis-
guised amazement. At our last annual meet
ing there were represented nine State Oranges,
having under their jurisdiction about 1900
subordinate oranges. To-day there are State
Oranges in thirty-two States, two Territories,
and the Province of Quebec, in the Dominion
of Canada, all of which are to-day present
through their chosen representatives. and
claim under their Jurisdiction nearly H. 900
subordinate Oranges in America.
The causes which have led to the great up
rising, which have rendered the work of or
ganization possible, and even easy, are few but
grave and mainly of a nature never contem-
plated by the originators of the order. In its
inception it was intended to be chiefly social
and educational institution, something after
the nature of a farmers club, only more COM
prehensive in its plan. including both sexes
and rendered more attractive by q pleasing
ritual and the subtle charm of secrecy. 1t
WAS intended to bring together at frequent
and stated periods the agricultural population,
to interchange views, discuss agricultural, lit
erary and scientific questions, and cultivate
the social amenities Of civilized hfe- In short,
1t was intended to improve the standing of the
tillers of the soil, mentally, morally, and So
cially. AS such it has been and is being
3 most magnificent success. Though some
other features, which have been engrafted on
the parent stock at a later day, have occupied
a more prominent place in the eye of the pub
lie than this, yet it cannot be denied that none
are of equal Importance TO the permanent
welfare OF the order and its members, for,
really, moral worth, mental power and social
culture he at the foundation of all real prog
ress. There Is danger that, in graphing with
the gigantic questions of the hour, We may
lose sight of the rock on which We builded.
When the fret subordinate oranges had been
organized one of the first and most proper
subjects for discussion was, How to make two
blades of grass grow where one grew before.
During these discussions the fact soon became
prominent that how to sell crops was fully Is
knotty a question as how to grow them. 1t
came % the conviction of members that we
received 60 cents for bushel of wheat, while
the man who ate it paid Sl.20 for it. We were
selling corn at 20 cents per bushel, while the
consumer was paying 50 cents for it. In what
we bought there was the same discrepancy
between first cost and what we we're obliged
to LAY. For mowers, sewing machines, plows,
musical Instruments, ETC., We were paving
from 80 to 200 per cent. above the original
cost. We asked ourselves whether this amaz-
circumstances over which We had control. The
solution of this problem soon became a lead
ing idea in the order. Subordinate
oranges, county councils and State
Oranges have given this one point more
thought and attention than perhaps any other,
and am happy to know that satisfactory prog
ress has been made-millions Of dollars
saved to the members of the order-and still
the outlook is. hat We are yet only ON the
threshold Of this great work. Almost univer-
sally we find manufacturers and consumers
equally anxious to be relieved of so much as is
possible of the loss in transit occasioned by a
surplus of middlemen. Most of those manu-
fscturers of small agricultural implements
have been found ready to sell direct to oranges
of respers and mowers the case has been diff
ferent, not that they were unwilling to do so
from any principle or prejudice. but no one
State was strong enough TO show them that
they could offer . more certain market for
their wares than could be obtained through
their present system of agencies.
In such cases as these it is the duty of the
National to lend it's aid to the State Oranges.
or by itself grapple with the difficulty. The
subject of cooperative stores is one in which
subordinate oranges have manifested mucn in
terest, but the want of definite information as
to the most approved and successful plan for
conducting them has prevented their general
establishment. l am of opinion that the
National Grange should propose careful and
elaborate plan for such stores, using therefor
the abundant materials which the experience
of the Rochdale and other societies affords.
This would be hailed with delight by thou
sands of Patrons who are now cropping in the
dark
Transportation of farm products to market
is an outgrowth of and property a part of the
same question, and part which has laid firm
hold ON the conscience of our people. In q
country of magnificent distances, the trans
portation Of heavy farm products by wagons
70 market is. of course, out II the question.
Railroads are necessity of the times and cir
cumstances- Fully recognizing this, the Gov
..-ument has kindly fostered and literally sub
sioized them. The people have heavily taxed
themselves to aid in their construction. ex-
Pecting substantial benefits in return. While
we readily assent to the proposition that rail-
roads. even as now conducted, add immensely
to the development of the country and the
convenience Of the people, still, in our inmost
soul we feel deeply wronged at the return
made for the kind and liberal spirit we have
shown them. Rates of freight are often ex-
brilliantly high and frequently changed
Often q larger bill is charged for a short dis
lance than long one, thus discriminating
against places, and often higher rates are
charged one individual than another, thus dis
eliminating against persons When We plant
crop We can only guess what it will cost to
send il to market. for we are the slaves OF
those whom we created.
Where lies the remedy? For even in oul
own ranks there is Babel of opinion. Some
advocate new routes East, subsidized by Gov.
eminent, either rail or canal others would
have new roads made by private enterprise
and trust to competition
The first of these would require many yearl
before they can afford the relief which we wan
now, and besides will surely develop int
other Credit Mobiiiers. The second will onl,