The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-28
Chs gatttttts anbiItt
Grand Gathering OF the Patrons OF
Husbandry.
SPEAKING AND FEASTzNG
THREE THOUSAND PRESENT

eNNisWAeN tSSSHh HHhbAAsSAASAN Va Wv
Patrons Of Husbandry Of this portion
Of the State to hold a "Granger's Pic
nic,' was looked upon by the "oppOsi
ton" with a considerable degree Of in
difference, II not secret EMULATION
over inevitable failure, while the Pa
irons themselves anticipated a happy
relnion and day spent in social rec
reation.
Quite early on Saturday morning
the neighborhood Of the Grove began
to assume quite lively appearance.-
As far as tae different roads leading to
the grounds could be seen, nothing
but carriages aud every conceivable
mode of conveyance. aud crowds on
horseback and GU foot. could be seen
vending their way towards the Grove,
unerringly directed by the fpe music
Of the Clarksburg Brass Band.
Precisely nj half past II o'clock the
meeting was called to order by y. s.
Coburn, Of Grange No. 4, aud Chair.
man of the Committee Of Arrange.
ments. who. in an appropriate speech,
introduced Hon. B. NJ. Kitchen. Mas
ter Of the State Grange Of West Vir-
ginia. Mr.. Kitchen addressed the
people as follows:
Patrons aud Friends FL am q Far.
uer and cot a speaker, and informed your
committee whose duty twas to secure speak
ets for your meeting on this OCCASION that
whilst Il would give me pleasure TO be with
you at this time, would not make you q
speech; but unaccuStomed as am to max
Ing public addresses, and Notwithstanding
my purpose to the contrary, am conitraln-
ed 10 attempt a few brief remarks. As
deeply interested Us ! feel In this farmers
Movement, and occupying the position do,
and the relation sustain 10 you by virtue
ofmy position; and this being the frst time
I have had either the privilege or the pleas
u-e Of meeting with 50 many Of those who
have enlisted In the pioneer work ofintro-
ducing this movement In this section Of the
State, cam tsuppress my feelings, and de-
sire 10 congratulate you upon the progress
you have made In the work. Under the cir
cumstAnCes you have done well. Not q year
has gone by since, with but 10 SUBJ Oranges,
State Grange was organized Of Martins
burg, in the eastern panhandle Of the s ate.
With but two exceptions, | believe, the
movement was confined TO the counties or
Berkeley and Jefferson. The result was, In
organizing the State Grange, the officers
we're elected from these two counties. A
financial panic was then sweeping thewhole
country. Our membership was small
money matters very close-nothibg In our
treasury-a mountainous and sparsely popu-
lated SlRie-its different sections Isolated for
the want Of railroads or other ways Of direct
and convenient municatlon-wintcr was
upon us-all were obstacles Rthwart our
path hence, the work OF introducing the
movement 10 other counties OF the Stale, was
delayed until few months ago. We now
number in the State LOG Oranges. A most
wonderful success and victofy over difficult
ties. For this success we owe o lasting debt
OF gratitude TO you who have been In this
missiOnai work aud haveso effectively c1n-
yaSsed these mountains and yalleyson which
and In which arc now planted the council
rooms oil the hopest yeomanry ofWest Wiz.
ginia, and who Of our next State meeting
will complete and perfect State organiSa-
ton that will secure at once the object for
which we are now seeking to embrace within
our fold every county In The State. Up TO
this Time, and until the time Of our nextan
nual meeting, our work in this State las
been and will DO 10 organize new Oranges.
Amer that time Il is TO be hoped that each
county In the State will look after its own
work in this respect, and the Officers Of the
State Grange, with committees from subor.
dnate Oranges will give their attention more
directly to secure cooperation and unity Of
action In our business relations with each
other, and with the outside world. weWant
10 meet together, talk together, work to-
gether, buy together, sell together, and 10
general act together for our mutual protee-
ton and advancement. In tie meantime, II
will be the duty Of all us, in the language
Of our declaration Of principles and pur-
poses, 10 constantly strive to secure entire
harmony, good will, vital brotherhood
among ourselves, and earnestly endeayor to
suppress personal, local, and sectional pref
udice. But, Patrons, have said enough on
the work We have to do, for public occa-
sion like this. Let US be o unit In action,
ond we can work great revolution, which
will form brighter page In our History
than ancient deeds ofvalor or modern fields
Of slaughter.
In our business relations we wage no war
fare with any other interest, for we well
know thht In the prosperity ofall tie varied
occupations 10 the land, lies the secret ofour
stability, our prosperity and our success.
Let no one, by false statements, by unfair
citation or By plausible argument, endeavor
10 make US appear to be hostile TO manufac-
turing industry, 10 Railroad enterprise, or
10 the well deserving inventor. These make
agriculture less and less drudgery, and
more and more n skilfnl business.
The Grange Is not partisan, nor yet pollti-
cal, BY any fair Interpretation Of our con.
stitution, by-lawS or declarations. Yet we
believe that each member Of our order should
take deep interest In all political questions
Of the day, and should be both earnest and
steadfast in unfolding the right and oppos-
Ing the wrongs and, come veal or woe, let
US never support any one for Office who Is
seeking the place for selfish or base purpo-
se8.
|, therefore, do not encourage the idea that
farmers should always labor on tue farm,
from morn I'LL night. There are other duties
for all OF US. We see tho professional man
always ready and willing to undertake 10
gil some office, either for It's honors or profits;
and we feel quite sure that there are tnalty
among tho yeomanry Of the land, who arc
quite as capable and quite as honest as their
more forward brethren, who are SO willing
10 relieve US from the cares aud burdens Of
holding Office. Weclaim nothing as farmers
we claim everything as honest, capable
and trustworthy citizens. We demand to
stand on an equality with any, provided our
merits are equal. We allow no self constit.
uled lords creation to domlncer over us.
We allow no sel'-constituted teachers 10 dc
tate 10 US. The Patrons ofHusbandry will
undertake 10 manage their chosen order In