Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-02

but tney are not content. It is time
when much discomfort Is manifest through.
out the country. It began in tho West.
where so many other things begin, but has
not stopped there. Farmers grew weary of
receiving the shell aud seeing their masters
enjoy the kernel. They powcd and hood
and harvested, but others grew rich. MGR.
chants and commission men prospored. but
the farmers grew poorer. They had heard
the orators say "In union is strength" and
they determined to unite. How the granger
was laughed and chaifed att How the poor
deluded farmer was pitiodl The order was
TO die before It was fairly organized, Accord
ing to Tom, Dick and Harry, who truly
hoped their prophecies would como true.
But It did not die. The grangers have he
come power In the land. Sure enough, in
union there is strength.
But why should the farmers alone have
the benefits that belong to co-operntionp If
organization was well for them why was il
not equally good for tho thousands who la
Dor in the shops? The question was asked
the grangcrs, but they answered; "We
cannot attempt too much. We are striving
to benefit the farmer, and must conGne our.
selves to this object" But the question was
not allowed to fall TO the ground frutless.
There were thinking men who appreciated
The feeling which gave birth to tho oueslion
ing, and they turned the thoughts over in
Their minds until they matured into plnns.
and an order was organized which wonld
be to the working men aud women what the
Patrons OF Husbandry is to tho farmer; and
that order is
| The Sovereigns OF Industry.
Ono of the founders of this order is w. IL.
Earle, Of Worcester, Mass, the present
president OF tho National Council Mr..
Earle is man of middle age, M cdium
height,slim figure, thin face, but with broad.
high forehead, and thoughtful manner of
talking. His writings and address are evil
dence that he is u man of education, while
the history Of the present movement shows
him 10 DO possessed of energy aud prompt
ness. He is engaged in the culture of small
fruit, having five acres in the suburbs of tho
city. at the foot OF II hill looking towards the
south; ii Is well named 'Sunnyside.' and his
residence and grounds are arranged and laid
taste.
| had seen so frequent mention of the
Sovereigns in the local papers that deter
mined to call upon Mr.. Earle and learn
from him the object and progress of the or.
der. In answer to my question, "What led
you to think such an organization was need.
ed?" he gave me n history of the order from
its commencement, which | will now lay
before your readers in his own words.
How IL Originated.
In answer to the above question he said
Dudley w. Adams, of Waukon, Iowa, is
an old schoolmate of mine, and when he
became Master Of the National Grange p. |
Of II. he invited me to take hold of the
work in Massachusetts. ] spoke to some
OF our leading agrculturists and horticulture
lists, and we organized II grange in this city.
had, long before this, given careful study |
to this subject of capital and labor, and when
the grange was organized the question arose
IN my mind: Why should the L. of H. re-
fuse to admit all but farmers? could see |
no good reason why all toling men and |
women should not be eligible to member |
more l became confirmed in this view.
The Deputy who organized our grange told |
me he had met great many people who
believed there was necessity for AN organ
ization that should admit all laboring men
and women. This was the latter part of last
year. The times were ripe for the move
ment among the people l had in mind
Business was quiet, times looked little
hard and the future was somewhat in
boubt.
About january l, 1874, invitations were
sent to men. i'll different parts of the coun-
try, who were known to be in favor of such
u movement, to meet in convention in
Springfield, January 9th. At that date the
convention met, and was found to consist of
fifteen laboring men. We earnestly consult
cd upon the pros and cons, and decided upon
organizing. We worked together eight days
and evenings, perfecting our plans and
adopting a constitution and ritual, and or
ganized rs the National Council of tho
Order of Sovereigns Of Industry.
The next afternoon, January 10, organ
lied the first subordinate council of the or
der in the United States. Mt Worcester, and
the same evening u council was formed in
Springfield. Other councils were Mt once
formed in adjoining states.
We had not expected to see the order
grow as it did, and we were compelled to
call n special session of tho National Coun-
I'll to make some alterations in the constitu.
lion and ritual, that we saw were required.
The council met in Springfield, March 5th
10 It'll, and we then adopted our present
constitution ard ritual.
did you know the men whom you met 4
IN Springfield, January 6lh?" q
"Only one; with that exception we met
IS strangers from different parts of tho coun- '
ry.n Il
you were elected president at that time, q
we're you not?n a
IL was, though very unexpectedly to my "
'eli. had no thoughts of becoming con- I
picuously identified with the movement. |
tut went to the meeting because my heart 1
vas in the work. At the special session of @
he council held in March all the old officers |
esigned, and | was again unanimously y
elected president. v
sovereIgns and Changers.
"lIow do your order and the grangers get
long togethGr?"
On the best terms, rs will be seen by the q
blowing:
PLEASANT GRANGE, NO. So, BUTLER, MO.
ReSOlced, That wo most cordially extend /,
he hand of fraternal fellowship 10 Onr q
Dung sister organization, the 'SovereIgLs II
f Industry and that we recognize in that /,
ompact an ally in our great work. That .,
yU earnestly invite thon to participate with ~
IS in easing down from our shoulders the II
eli-constitnted aristocracy of this country, n
hat VIC have been carrying already loo O.
Dng. r.
RESPONSE. -
ResOlrGd, That Council No. 10, Butlor, -