The Grange advance., 1874-07-08

In days past it would not have been
safe for man to approach member OF
Congress with bribe, unless he was
stronger Of the two, but now bribery in
Congress has become as easy as buying
cow. When the Patrons combine to re-
| sist the tyranny Of monopolies and corrup-
tion, they are carrying out the noble
principles of that Declaration which has to-
day been read. The people have right
to combine to resist monopolies-capital has
and is combining to advance its interests,
and the people certainly may combine to
protect their rights. The Judge then spoke
of the improvement in school houses, and
schools within the past sixty years
when he first commenced to attend school
in log hut with dirt floor, and the rod
was continually carried in the teachers
hand-sometimes he thought they had gone
to the opposite extreme and didn't whip
enough.
The safety Of the country is in education.
He would have depar ehent in every
public school to teach the principles Of gov
ernment. Then the demagogue, after his
own aggrandizement, would be shorn Of his
power to deceive and mislead the people.
People think too little in politics and re-
ligion. The politicians direct the politics
of the country. No man should be found
supporting any measure which is wrong,
simply because it is party measure.
The people, Patrons and all, should hold
every Congressman to strict account.
The speaker expressed sincere hope that
the Patrons might succeed in their efforts
at reform, and said this success could only
be reached by combined and united ac-
tion.
We have not attempted to give more than
an occasional thought contained in this
speech, as our space would not permit Of
more.
After the close of the oration the assem-
bly, broke up for dinner. The planks used
for seats were soon converted into tables,
|
rich dainties, and the Oranges, gathered in
groups, partook Of a feast worthy to be
set before king, and at the same time drank
in pleasure from social converse and the in
duence of the pleasant surroundings.
The speakers and musicians platform
had been trimmed with oak leaves, and at
the top a large National Flag had been
fastened, reaching some thirty feet in
length and twelve or fifteen feet in width,
Against the trees were fastened several
Grange banners and some framed litho-
graphs.
Some of the banners were quite costly,
and very tastefully and richly trimmed
We noticed the following notices on the
banners:
West Florence Grange" Equal rights
and exact justice to all men,"
Hay Greek -" Faith. Hope, Charity,
Fidelity"
Featherstone-On this banner was pie
ture Of Justice, blindfolded, with drawn
sword in her right hand and the uplifted
scales in her left to the left, commerce
was represented by ships, and cars on a
railroad bridge; on the right agriculture.
At the feet Of Justice were the words, 1--WE
demand our share"
Vasa--" Equal justice to all, special
privileges to none."
! Farmers Guild" Economy"
Welch Grange-One side the words
"We hold the lines, why not drive ?" and
on the other, "Persevere and the fruits are
Ours" and the top Of the staff was a potato,
perfect in shape and painted the natural
color; several large potato bugs disported
as natural as life.
During the dinner hour an attempt was
made to ascertain the numbers on the
grounds; it was found impracticable to
make an actual count, but estimates we're
made by old soldiers who had been accus-
toned to seeing brigades and larger bod
les Of soldiers, and the estimate was al
most invariably between three and four
thousand persons. One party who claimed
to have made an actual count stated that
there were seventeen hundred horses
hitched in an around the grove, and it
was estimated by most careful men that at
least five acres were covered by wagons
and carriages.
Following dinner came music and the in
evitable toasts and responses. j. F. Pin
grey respondedto the toast, The Order-its