The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-11-14
FARM AND GARDEN.
The Grange-Its Reasons for Existence and
Probable Permanently.

9'>'''I 't.'i'' l''ii'IN'i "'hh'N'
these objects it was that the Grange was or.
ganlzed. 1t was believed by the founders OF
the Grange that its influence among the
classes who are suffering from the machina-
tons of political dishonesty and the soulless
requirements of gripping monopolies wouiu
be likely to make the deepest and most aDiu-
ing impressions, and consequently, might IN
spire the masses to lay Il new political louh-
dation in the brick aud mortar OF honesty
and virtue.
One ofthc distinctive features ofthe Grange,
and one which was deemed essential 10 us
success, was that of secrecy. THIS feature
was not adopted because under ordinary CIT
Cumstances il was not proper Tor the wnoie
community to share all their knowledge, but
for the purpose of forming permanent points
Of organization, which should continue 10 ex-
ist and spread in the future as 4 guarantee
against demagogues and monopolies. twas
mainly to bind the members together by u
common chord, and we may safely say, not
one item of il is any more opposed to the
hes, welfare of every member of the commu.
nitv than the secrets Of any orthodox church
in America.
Every family, every merchant, every mo-
nopoly in the land has secrets fully as terri
bic as any Of those belonging to the Grange,
I speak positively, because / am q member
of the orange and know whereof affirm. 1t
is well known that the soclality Of neIghbors,
from the almost universally over-educated
organ of acquistiveness and its cognate or
gans, had so far lost its congeniality OF feel,
ings, had SO tar degcnerated into colu anu
minimizing carelessness, that they were
strangers though living nextdoor neiShDors'
This lamen.ed condition was growing graou'
ally worse, till friends and relatives living
near together were estranged from each Other;
and we're fast merging into that polluted poor
III which self is the central figure and man
kind at large its legal prey.
To remedy this was a prominent object OF
the organization and to render it more natur-
al and effective women married and unmar-
ried, were admitted to membership ms
was happy thought, as the social commun'
ing of the sexes is law of human nature
which adds sharpened zest to life and hap
pinesS. Education in strict accordance Win
the laws of life is sine qua nm to HE most
perfect enjoyment, and unanimity OF thought
and act in the two sexes is essential to the
best and most natural development Of the hui
man mind.
Every member Of Orange looks upon
every cher member as u brother or sister,
and this greatly facilitates those social, rcCip-
rocal relations of friendship and interest
which seek by honest means to work out the
best good of all, through the education Of
mind, in obedience to the natural laws of our
physical and mental beings. 1t enlarges the
circle Of social intercourse and thus increases
the means of adding new links to the chain
OF progression-it opens the heart to more
kindly feelings and extends the hand OF SYM
patty in good faith to the suffering and needy
it iin.tcs neighbors and friends in the fra
tcrnal bonds Of brotherhood
effort for the good OF our fellow men, and
above all, is forming the nucleus from which
will radiate the galvanic currents Of true cdu-
cation for childhood and youth
But to hasten. The Grange is intended to
enforce upon all true moral principles, ard
yet does not interfere with private religious
views All kinds religious convictions can
come togethcr in the Grange. There is no
iostlng, no pickering over cyeedborn views,
no attractions or repulsions from diversified
tcnets. Politics are strictly interdicted in
the Grange, but it does not, therefore, follow
that Changers are mOnOmanacs and ignore
political economy; on the contrary, it is OK.
pected that every voter will study with eau.
ZION and an earnest desire for the welfare of
the people all the important topics that bear
upon the administration Of just government
aud the honest enforcement of just laws made
III the interests of the whole people, not for
the special benefit of grasping monOpOlies
The whole people are to be educated to-
think and reason each one for himself, to the
end that the elective frachse may not be So
nlischeviously abused as has been the casel
IN the past history of our Government The
Grange does not seek 10 control votes in any
Othet way than through en- honest and thor
oush conviction Of mind growing out Of the
IN iptp II la, tht,cI
arrive az -ruthfrf opinions.
As we sFid in the beginning, man is falli.l
BILE: consequently, no man can he sure lie is
Il true prophet WHY he essays to point out
the condition the Grange may occupy ten
wears hence. The Grange is comparatively !
q new institution, yet If, It's childhood. Hence |
any reasonable man VIII not expect success
in all its undertakings. Inteed, | look for
failures, for often hothCads act without due
ConsiC Grafton, to mourn at leisure over losses |
which timely reflection would have avoided
Age and experience will mature Thought ;and
thoughtful logic applied to the dairy con
Germs of life will serve to insure success
But, judging the future by the past brief
existence OF the Grange, our mental vision is
bright with glorious results in the future
True. some Oranges may dcgeneia ate into use
less droncs, and thus cast obloquy on them.
selves but from the common and peculiar
ties that bind us, the noble and elevated oh.
iects that inspire Us, and the glorious results
10 man at must follow success, we dare no,
shut our eyes to what appears to us truth, and
shed crocodile tears over what we cannot be-
lievc. but rejoice with joy unspeakab!e in the
vivid contemplation of the fruitiOn of cher
lshed hopes. Let us pursue the tenor of our
way in perseverance and faith, and heaven
will vouchsaie to postcrity the glit;cring jew.
els bcoueathed to the world by the persistent
c forts of the lOwly Grange.-R. a. !Slossop,
tn tie UesteiH Rurdi.
Tzints i'm Butter.
It il perfectly astonishing that so little
care is taken with the products Of the dairy,
among the farmers generally throughout the