The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-10
THE NATIONAL GRANGE.
THE MEETING IN ST. LOUIS

On Wednesday the National Grange
convened in st. Louis. The day Of
the opening the st. Louis Globe had
this interesting preliminary sketch: As an
assemblage of representative men and
women, they will make a most creditsble
appearance. Mr.. Dudley w. Adams, Grand
Master of the National Grange, is a good
looking man of thirtY.five, with fine, ex-
pressi7e features, full beard and bushy,
brown hair. He has no objection to saying
ANYTHING about the National Grange, and
its prospective proceedings that it would be
advisable to communicate to the public.
A reporter of the Globe asked him yester-
day, in regard to the objects of the meeting,
and whether the question OF open organiZa-
ton was likely to come up in any de1nite
shape. He said hat it might possibly come
up for argument. but he did not think there
was any probability hiatt the order was ready
to throw off the veil of secrecy. In secrecy
consisted the great charm and attraction OF
the organization. 1t had been one great rea-
son OF its success; why, he was hardly able
to say. He had not heard one per-
gani1ation. When asked how the Patrons
could become influential in politics
under their present rules, he SAID that
they were not a political order, and did not
SAD6CL q DdTllClDdl0 III JULIUS III Oil
ic way. They were united for other purpo-s
es.s He told what they had accomplished
in Iowa by what may be called moral means,
that is the indirect and personal influence of
the order on conventions, and the Legisla-
ture, the last body being pledged to grant
them sach easement as they wanted in the
matter Of railroad oppression.
BASIS OF
Mr.. Adams seemed to think that a ques-
ton ofgrester perplexity was likely to arise
respecting the basis of admission to the Or
der, which is at present found in article 5 of
the constitution which reads as follows:
Any person interested in agricultural pur-
suits, of the age of sixteen years (female),
and eighteen years (malel July proposed;
elected and complying with the rules and
regulations of the Order, is entitled to MEN,
bership and the benefit of the degrees taken.
Every application must be accompanied by
the fee of membership. If rejected, the
money will be refunded. Applications must
be certified by members, and balloted for at
a subsequent meeting.
The trouble is in the proper Interpretation
OF the words interested in agricultural pur-
suits,h many persons being interested in ag-
the west nearly all the Patrons are directly
interested in the tilling of the soil, except
in the cities, towns and villages. The Chi
cage grange was formed some time
ago by Kelley, and its membership
is not perfectly satisfactory to the rural
oranges. The oranges in st. Louis and Gin
cinnati are made up in a similar manner.
Many editors of village papers in Iowa are
said to be patrons. In the eastern states
there are few subordinate oranges that have
not in them persons who are not a~gricultnr-
lists in the strict sense of the term. This
is one Of the great problems to be solved.
Mr.. Adams says that the words of the con-
stitntion cannot be changed except by con-
sent of the state oranges, andthat althat the
national grange can do in the premises is to
properly interpret the words quoted above.
The matter of the Boston Grange, he says, is
also likely to come up in this
connection. This was organized by Mr..
Abbott, who gave the usual "dispensation,"
which was afterwards taken from it by Mr..
Adams, the executive committee so advising.
Mr. Adams says that eserything is progress
ing well as regards corporation, and he
thinks that the plans of the patrons in re-
spect TO that portion of their business will
prove successful.
THE GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS.
A FULL ExPosrrIoN-HIs VIEWS ON TRANS
PoRTATlQN-THEBoSToN GRANGE-THE MA
TIoNAL ORANGE.
At the first days session Grand Master
Adams delivered fhe following address:
Brothers and Sisters of The National Grange;
The work o the national grange for the
past year has been almost exclusively one
of organization. In this direction its success
has been such as to excite the constant won
der OF even its W members, while those
outside the gates have beheld our growth
with u~rdisguised amazement. At our last
annual meeting there were represented nine
state oranges, having under their iurisdic-
tion about 300 subordinate Oranges. To-
day there are state oranges in thirty-two
states, two territories, and the province Of
nunhan IN tho nnpninfnn Co.o1.
all OF which are to-day present
through their chosen representatives, and
claim under their jurisdiction nearly 1000
subordinate oranges in America. The causes
which have led to the great uprising, which
have rendered the work of organization pos
sible, and even easy, are few but grave, and
mainly of a nature never contemplated by
the ~originators of the order. In this incep-
ton it was intended to be chiefly a social and
educational institution, something after the
nature of farmers'c clubs, only more compre-
hensive in its plan, including both sexes,
and rendered more attractive by a pleasing
ritual and the subtle charm of secrecy. 1t
was to bring together at frequent and stated
periods the agricultural population, to in
terchange views, discuss agricultural, lite
rsry and scientific questions, and cultivate
the social amenities of civilized life. In
short, it was intended to improve the stand
ing ofthe tillers of the soil, mentally, moral.
ly, and socially. AS such it has been and
rs being a most magnificent success. Though
some other features, which have been en-
grated on the present stock at a later day,
have occupied a more prominent place in
the eye of the public than this, yet it cannot
be denied that none are of equal Importance
to the permanent welfare OF the order and
Its members, for, really, moral worth, men
tai power, and social culture lie at the foun-
dation of all real progress There is danger
that, in graphing with the gigantic ques-
tons OF the hour, we may lose sight OF
III ROCK ON WHICH WE BUILDED
When the first subordinate oranges had
been organized, one of the first and most
proper subjects for discussion was, how to
make two blades of grass grow where one
grew before. During these discussions the
fact soon became prominent that how to sell
crops was fully as knottY q question "a how