The Grange advance., 1874-04-01
Aessrs. Editors Grange Advance:

!Aessrs Editors Grange Advance:
Having had the privilege Of attending
the meeting Of the County Council P. Of H.
at Featherstone, on the Goth inst, was
much pleased to witness the general har-
mony and good feeling manifested through
out the session, the candor and fairness
with which the various subjects were dis
cussed. and the absence Of that bitter and
antagonistic feelings against opposite in
terests, so often observable in similar
bodies. there was an evident disposition to
give the careful and proper consideration
due to matters affecting the great agricul-
,ural interests Of our country, and evident
ly, if no untoward event shall befall this
great and popular farmers movement,
winch is spreading all over our nation, i'm
mense benefit will be derived therefrom,
although great caution, and calm delibera-
tion are necessary for its guidance, as it is
beset with dangers from ,cithin, as well as
from without, not least Of which, is its pes
tended, warm and active friends who are
ever, with Jealous eye, watching its various
interests and ever ready and anxious to
extend their guardian care, as for instance
our lobbying committee self-constituted.
who contrary TO the wish Of our State
Grange, took seats in the Senate chamber
to guard the interests OF the order, while
many Of the Senators themselves were
Patrons, and those who were not, we're
at least friendly; then we hear Of part of
this committee Fastening to Minneapolis
with all evident disposition to crush the
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Associa-
tion, whose Directors (nearly all Patrons,)
had just held their annual meeting, audit
ed their accounts. examined into affairs,
anu found it in prosperous and satisfac-
tory condition. And in the very face Of
this. the Sherwood committee have the au-
dacity to say that it is unsafe and unsound,
and cannot recommend it to the farmers of
Minnesota.
But, Mr.. Editor, Notwithstanding the re
port OF this voluntary committee, we find
the County Councils and sub ordinate
Oranges all over the State are endorsing
and recommending the Farmers Mutual
Fire Insurance Association, and pledging
themselves to stand by their oacn Associa-
ton.
Brother Changers if we would have our
order prosper let US be on the lookout for
these old cast-a-way politicians, for they
are bound to either rule or ruin.
Just one word, Mr.. Editor, about the
Featherstone Prairie, and its residents
Having often heard of their enterprise,
thrift. morality, and religion, and certainly
their homesteads, surroundings, general
appearance of their farms and the warm
genial manner Of the people, amply justify
all that has been said in that respect
When call to mind my crossing that same
prairie seventeen years ago, with its dry,
barren and uninviting appearance, when
Messrs. Freyberger, Roberts, Featherstone
and Libbey; comprised nearly the whole
Of its settlers, could hardly believe my
own eyes. to see the contrast between
then and now, it is truly wonderful.
And certainly q more desirable locality
for farmers residence would be
hard to find, and had been favored with
as correct an insight into the future as
some Of the above named pioneers, I might
now have heen one amOnust them
ABORIGINE.
MARCH 28th, 1874.
MoRR1sT0wN. RICE Co.,
March 9th, 1874