The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-28
ghe Gully Areus.
A LETTER WHICH EXPLAINS IT.
SELF!
THE ATTEMPT OF IA MEMBERS TO DIS.
BAND A GRANGE IN McDON0UGH
COUNTY PROVES A sICKLY
FAILURE.
The Grange is Alive and Stronger Than Ever

OFFICE OF STATE GRANGE.
Rock FAILS, July II, 1874. {
DEAR SHINY attention has been cali
ed TO a communication published in the
Inter- Ocean, some days ago, relating to
certain so-called proceedings Of Good Hope
Grange, No, 1873. McDonough Co., also to
| editorial comments ON the same.
So long as | may be in official position
as one of the executive officers OF the State
Grange of Illinois, | question the proprie-
ty of entering into "A defence Of my official
action upon every occasion of charges, es-
pecially when such charges are in the form
of opinions merely, without specifications,
which may come from any and every
source. Suffice it to say, that in judging
my official acts | ask for such indulgence
as is due to the imperfection of human ma
ture and human Judgment. No indulgence
at all as to my purposes and motives, tested
by the rules, principles, aud objects of the
Order of Patrons.
1t seems proper for me, however, in this
instance to state a few facts which may
aid intelligent, considerate, and we'll mean
ing persons to Judge the merits of this case.
LIST. This is the first instance within my
knowledge Of charges involving the officers
of the State Grange being brought, even
in the most general manner.
I'd. While there are about fifteen hun.
dred Oranges in the State this is the first
instance OF an attemp, ed secession from the
Order, a fact as significant of the earnest
ness of the farmer class in this movement.
and the harmony existing in the Order,
as it is unusual and remarkable in a move
nlent Of such great magnitude, surrounded
and opposed as il is by so many conflicting
and opposing influences.
30. Ihis so-called secession, or disbaud
ing, is not a d isbanding at all. but the ac
ton of some fourteen members out of a
membership Of over one hundred at a spe.
cial meeting called for NJ such purpose
an action taken without any general notice
that such action was at all contemplated
an action taken when no quorum Of the
members was present, and otherwise con
trary to the business rules of the Order
an action. although published under a pre- |
tended sense of duty. in its manner of per-
formance tricky, and in its evident purpose
malicious and highly reprehensible. Such
action is, OF course, null and void.
4th. The officers OF the State Grange DE-
not receive money for regalia, etc. What
money Good Hope Grange has paid
for regalia, etc., it has paid on its own re.
sponsibiIity. and not by the requirement,
os the officers of the State Grange.
9Th. The State G"anvc has re, e'ved
from Cod HIP, II to i, SI05. 8, no,
S454.l Is as stated. La retu. ii. the a,att
pays, among other things, the
and per diem of the Master Iof
Good Hope Grange in attending the meet
ings of the State Grange.
9th. While | may in general declare ev-
cry charge derogatory to the character OF
the officers Of the National Grange, made
in this communication, as false and baseless,
shall enter into no defense of these off
,ers, believing they may be left in the
lands OF those who have abundant evi-
lence to convict or clear them of the
80 Internationally published to the
world by a small minority of tie many
Changers in the State of Illinois.
1t may be added, as a matter ofinforma
ion, that the property of Good Hope
Grange ordered to be sold. has been return.
ID to the Grange Hal, and that the Grange
5 now one of the strongest Oranges in the
county, A. COLDER,
Master State Grange.