The Grange advance., 1874-05-27
Grangers Better Feel the Way eau.
tiOusly.

1t already crops out prominently, that
adventures and spectators are ma
neuvering to manipulate the Oranges,
so as to secure from them endorsements
to gigantic schemes of national railway
building.
1t would certainly be inconsistent
and imprudent for Oranges to be
trapped into throwing the weight of
the Order for the formation of new
rings while they are fighting to abolish
old ones.
We throw out these remarks az a COM
ment upon the report made to Congress
by MIR. Hurlburt for the building of a
"Doud1e track freight roiz,oay from
t'de-water on the atlantic to Council
Bluffs on the Missouri rayer."
This report is sent to all Oranges in
the Northwest, soliciting subscriptions
toa petition to Congress urging the un-
dertaking. The National Grange
refused to circulate the report and pe-
tltlon, but part of the Executive
Committee recommended the scheme
to Oranges for consideration.
If We understand the project urged,
it is for chartered private company to
have the matter OF building the road in
their hands, but to receive aid from
the Government in the shape of guaran-
teed bonds. It takes the shape of the
old Credit Mobilier, which proved such
a gigantic and successful swindle on the
California road.
1t will do no harm for Oranges to
take plenty Of time for reflection before
afixing their names to petitions of this
kind, of which, at this time, so little is
known.
The Grange exercises its influence to
uproot and destroy existing evils, not
to create or foster new ones. Old
Davey Crockett's rule was good one,
" Be sure you are right first and then
go ahead"
What the Grange is Doing to Improve
the Condition OF Social Life.
1t is an important fact, but not the
less true, that before the Grange move
ment took place the social feature of
farm life was too frequently mixed up
with discords, wrangling and bitterness,
The isolated man is seldom a social
creature. The less he cultivates the
friendship Of his neighbors, the less he
is inclined to. Confined to himself, he
grows moody, selfish and irascible.
Here is where the blessed influence
of the Grange comes in. It brings
neighbors together, sociably and pleas
antly. When assembled they feel the
subtle charm of the union that binds
them. They are no longer neighbors
only, but brothers and sisters, cooper
ating together under the same law,
adding to each others happiness, pros
perity and mental improvement. The
poor man forgets his poverty, and the
rich man opens his heart to larger
deeds of charity.
This is one of the most charming
features Of Grange life. 1t teaches
gentleness, kindness, charity, torbear-
ance and good will to all.
Last week We made the inquiry, Can
any one tell US of what use is the d.
partment of Agriculture at Washing
ton to farmers. This week we copy the
following from the New York Tribune
Os1ER W111ow.-The Commission Of Ag-
riculture knows so little about the general
progress Of improvements that he has TAX
en- great pains to introduce several varie-
ties Of the osier willow from Europe. He
might as we'll have imported Durham rams
and Southdown hens. 1t is true that the
osier willow is cultivated to some extent,
but large fields can be seen all through the
country totally neglected because the labor
required in peeling makes the business un-
profitable, and no machine seems vet in
vented which has proved satisfactory. Be-