Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-13
The Grange.

The question likely to suggest itself is,
" Will Il be best for me to become a gran
ger" To any such it may be remarked
they are already grangers, the word Grange
being the Scotch name for farm.
The question, however, includes the idea
whether they will be socially, intellectually
and financially benefited by cooperating
with others of their calling. Men Of other
professions find it for their interest to do so,
and why should not the farming community,
who, Notwithstanding they comprise ma
jority of the population Of a state, and con-
tribute, probably, the largest of any class to
its wealth, are really used as pack-horses for
the more intelligent classes OF community,
who consider farmers, as class, very much
their interiors Can it not be shown, by co.
operation, that our calling is as noble as
anyH
In answer to these inquiries would say
There is little risk to run in joining grange
Those who think of joining grange that
they may find way to be elected to some
political office will find, much to their cha
grin, no doubt, that they are GU board the
wrong train for the grange is 80 organized
as to prevent its being used politically
However, for one, | am in hopes that when
farmers become fraternally united, they will
do their duty to their country more intell-
| igently, aud see that they are better repre-.
sented in the halls of legislature, which,
think, would tend to purify the present cor
rupt Political combinations.
There is much misunderstanding in this
state in relation to this order, aud Vermont
farmers should investigate the matter thor
oughly, for it will be Of vital interest to them
in the future. Farmers should take hold OF
it themselves aud thus prevent wire-pulling-
ring-leaders, railroad kings and those who
hope TO use the farmers votes as stepping
stones to political prefermeut, place and per-
quisites, to assume the position Of guardians
of the welfare Of the /" lmbecile agricultur-
ist "
But we see also other interests considered
and represented with an earnestness which
deserves credit, and we should follow this ex.
ample. Our interests are equally ours, as
the railroad interest is that of the monied
corporations, or the iron or coal or any 9TH
err interest for whose favor the tariff is being
continually changed. Their interests are
specially represented. Why should not
ours 49, l-s--.-
And whence come the objections to the
order ? In nine cases out of ten it would
probably be found to spring from the fear.
Of some railroad interest that finds necessity
to own newspaper to manufacture public
opinion, aud otherwise serve the interests OF
the corporation 1t will not do to Inst rail
roads or railroad property in,Vermont 9th
er states lay taxes on railroad property
Why not in Vermont Are the farmers Sc
much served by the railroads that they car
afford to have their real aud personal prop
erty taxed for all purposes and exempt the
property OF railroads. that, il they do not pay
dividends to st0ck-holdIng towns, pay Il
many muni6cent salaries, and VINO could tel
you also where dividends are paid out of tn,
earnings oil the road 1t would not be very
difficult in this connection to ask many 9th
err questions auch papers would not like t,
have put but it the grangers think of thes,
matters, and they are as they should ne
made the subject OF concerted action, it is no
difficult to see that many other interests will
be drawn into the discussion, and for tn
FIRST time perhaps, farmers will learn tn
greatness of their power, through co-opera
ton, and the great need for its use.
Aside, however, Of these consideration
there are others that should induce ever
farmer tojoin. 1t offers an opportunity 70
social intercourse, for the exchange Of idea
in reference to farming interests, for tn
more readily adjusting differences betwee
neighbors, and cultivating a neighborly re
gard for each other. The influences goin
forth from these meetings find their value !
the emulation excited, and the knowledp
acquired and reduced to practice.
! In this connection, also, it may be sal
The secret phase Of the order, by some obje'
ed to, is adopted to secure the company {
approved individuals, with whom we al
; willing our wives and daughters shall ASST
3 ciate and at the same time furnishes to gu
s mem RS, when visiting other portions of tn
. cour 3, the pass to other societies of ii
: orC r. G. NARAMORE.
). MiStOn w.