Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-25
For the VERMONT FARMER.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE
GRANGE.
by =. V. POWERS.

Among the many readers of the FARMER,
there were not few who attended the re-
cent meeting of the State Grange at Mont
pelier. To item, and others who are in
terested in the reforms of the day, l now
propose to offer the result of some general
observations made at said meeting.
1t should be remembered that, in gather
ings of this kind, where it is proposed to do
q great work for the mutual benefit Of men
and women, one is likely to see exhibited
uuauimity of feeling, and great tenaeity Of
purpose. This Is not SO from any sudden
impulse, or burst Of enthusiasm, but general
ly by reason Of deep thought and long rclec-
ton. For years, farmers and others who
labor for their bread have felt the necessity
of better conditions, financially, education
ally, and socially. For these ends they have
thought, pleaded, studied, aud labored. Not
until recently has the way seemed to be clear
for the accomplishment Of their desires.
Through patient delay, multitudinous sacri.
fees and troubles, our hopes now up, and
now down, the sur of a brighter day begins
to appear. In this reiormatory work we all
have reason to be thankful that the VER-
MONT FARMER has so nobly aud bravoly
seconded our efforts. To carry this truly
great work successfully along, it seems the
only thing necessary is prudent manage.
ment.
The Vermont State Grange is now fairly
launch ed and under way. The heart Of the
writer rejoices in this, inasmuch as he feels
he has labored faithfully from the very be-
ginning, without hope Of other reward than
to see a good work well done. And SO, at
the recent meeting, he looked with heartfelt
pleasure upon the intelligent and happy.
looking faces of nearly three hundred men
and women. In numbers, what contrast
to the humble nine that met to organize the
first grange in New England
The State Grange assembled, not as many
suppose, to abuse any portion Of the public
but to benefit it, The measures it takes in.
to consideration are vital ones, and such as
must be argued, advocated, and solved by
somebody. And truly, who can be better
qualified to take these matters in hand, than
the farmers, who are so directly interested
What especially pleased us at the meet
| iDg was the earneStneSS and the sincerity
manifested by all. l think l never saw q
more orderly gathering. | saw no one
whom thought, by the least sign, had been
using spirituous liquors. And never was
in crowd Of that size where 50 little tobac.
co was used. Of course, We claim that th,
ladies exercised, as they always will, natur
ally, blessed and noble influence in the
gathering. l really believe that practical
ly the grange has already settled the "wo
man question" and it has been done silently
calmly, and satisfactorily.
There are thousands of persons belonging
to the order in Vermont, who may neve
have the privilege of seeing or making tn,
acquaintance of some of the ladies, and act
i've workers with us in heart and hand, anC
SO will, with pleasure, give them a de
scriPtiOu Of the
| Personnel
of the Vermont State Grange. Worth!
Master Cotton, of Irasburgh, recently elect
ed for a second term of two years, is maj
in stature above the medium size, not ia