Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-03-21
ADDRESS BY WORTHY MASTER,
ED. HEWITT.

'Oi-N cA"h6Sf OSiOiC DiAtC oiaHSC. Ou
the occasion of the installation of the
officers Of the latter, on the 14th
inst: 8.i JSH95 EatA AHA
Being requested by the Worthy
Master of Dixie Grange to install the
officers, and this day, being appointed
for thatpurpose, is my apology for APP
pearing before you, and that you may
see and hear some Of the beauties of
our Order, they wish the installation to
be made public. Although the veil of
secrecy is to some extent thrown
around our progressive Order, yet the
broad and comprehensive, and / might
say, beautiful and grand principles are
clearly set forth and revealed to every
one that has an enquiring mind. They
are nothing more nor less than the
struggle. the mighty struggle of right,
concentrating his powerful efforts in
the agricultural man, to overcome the
domineering dictates of might. Might
and power, led rapidly byambition and
wealth, have been using their utmost,
until justice ard mercy are almost
crushed beneath the feet of the con-
queror, and in their trail, marked with
desolation and ruin, have followed the
haggard shadows of poverty and bank
ruptcy.
For nearly six thousand years, il
history be correct, man has been till
ing the soil, exposing himself contin-
ually to the ylcissitudes of heat and
cold, making a scanty living for his
darling babes by the sweat of his face,
and the little surplus he may have to
spare has been concentrated into the
marts of the world over which specu-
lators have grown vastlywealthy, whilst
he is none the richer, none the wiser
Revolutions, like the mighty tornado,
have swept over every empire, king
dom and republic, until republics have
been changed to the dictates of royal
ty, and kingdoms swept from the face
of the earth, and over the Wondering
ruins of departed splendor and glory
empires have arisen in pomp and
grandeur. Yet amidst all the changes
by conquest and power, the agricultu-
raj man has borne his share of the
burdens without a murmur. Specula-
tors have circulated their falsehoods
over the face of society until they have
grown vastly rich upon the proceeds Of
the laboring man, while he tolls on
through storm and rain, takes the
offer made and does not grumble.
This dark cloud of ignorance, which
has enveloped the mind fthe millions
for ages, causing them to wander on in
doubt and uncertainty through this
world of sorrow and oppression, We
wish dispersed from their mental Wis
ions, and let them walk by the light of
knowledge, truth and justice. From
the vast wealth, concentrated at points
throughout the commercial world. the
effects of the laboring class, rings have
sprung into existence, corruption has
been the consequence, until at the
present hour the agricultural man is
oppressed and down-t rodden till his
burdens are intolerable. Wealth, con-
centrated into oppressive rings, which
burden the farmer; extravaganza,
which is soiling our once beautiful
"star spangled banner" and rapidly
digging the grave of liberty, are enc
mics we would oppose.
For the first time has such a grand
army, amid the revolutions which have
shaken this earth, arisen, Phoenix
like, from the slumber of ages, deter
mined to break loose the letters which
have bound them to poverty and want,
buckled on this armor of strength,
power and might. and quietly and
calmly say to the raging pillows which
threaten their destruction, Peace, be
still" They say to the tide of de-
struction which is rapidly threatening
our once glorious and happy land of
freedom, to stop! before we drift down
the rapid current into the vortex OF
extravaganza and crime.
Agriculture is developed by certain
fixed laws. The better we become ac-
quainted with those laws, the greater
the proceeds resulting therefrom !;
hence, the promotion of knowledge is
one grand object we have in view. We
live in an age of revolution, and pro-
gression is indelibly stamped upon the
ingenuity of man. Our motto is evil
IDENTIFY onward and upward, y to some
blissful land in the dark future we
know not, but of which we sweetly
dream, and we trust, having knowledge
and wisdom for our polar star and
guided by industry and economy, We
will safely land in an harbor of pros
perity and happiness, where Ceres,
Pomona and Flora will smile pleasing
ly upon us, and bestow upon us the
rich and beautiful supplies of nature.
Then we confidently expect success to
attend us and our labored efforts to be
crowned with happiness, when We are
guided by the counsels of wisdom,
truth, honor and justice.
Concentration of effort is the best
means to accomplish the end in view
therefore, we have an organization.
bound together by the strong ties of
friendship and brotherly love. Nature
furnishes examples analogous to the
point. We feel the pleasant breeze
which envelopes our world, penetrat-
ing with its happy effects every corner
of the earth it is refreshing and life
sustaining to animate and inanimate
nature. Yet when concentrated into
the mighty tornado, 1t carries destruc-
ton in its march and ruin follows its
trail. The beautiful and smiling beams
of the sun, giving life and beauty to
inanimate nature. clothing the world