Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-11-17
Grange Convention.

the examination OF samples Of goods and price |
list Of the state agents, after which an adjourn
mcut was made for dinner.
In the afternoon, the meeting was called to
order by Deputy d T. Boydon who briefly stated |
the objects of the order after which tho assembly
elected tho following list Of officers for the year
ensuing; Master, d. T. Boyden, Of Waitsheld |
Secretary, j. X. Tobey, Of Calais; Overseer
Brother Currier; Lecturer, l.. n Ellis Steward
J. f. HOLSTER, Of North Montpelier; Assistant
steward, Brother Richardson, OF Mortified; Chap
lain. Edmund T. Andrews, OF Berlin; Treasurer
I C. Narramorc Gate Keeper, Brother loyeland;
Ceres, Mrs George Crane Of Broolfied; 20
mona, Mrs j. T. lIollister; Flora, Sister Cove;
Lady Assistant Steward, Sister Peck, Brookfed
Several topics Of importance to the order were
discussed at length vote favorable to a county
organization was taken, and It was decided to
meet at the hotel Of II. H. Bishop December 3d.
for the purpose Of completing the arrangements
It was also voted to request each grange in favor
Of the proposition to send two delegates with in
structions as to what kind OF organization they
might desire. \ resolution was adopted thanking
the State Agent for the pains he had taken to
furnish them with samples and pedglng their
united support in carrying out the financial work
Of the order The remainder Of the afternoon was
occupied By addresses from various members Of
the order on the educational, financial and social
features Of the organization.
EvENiSG MEETING.
In the evening a public meeting was given in
the Village Hall, which was very fairly attended
Remarks were madeby T. 4. Andrews, Of Berlin,
Dr. T H. IIosllins, Agricultural Editor Of the
wTonNAN, and d NJ Clough, Of New Ilamp-
shire We give below an abstract Of the remarks
Of the two former speakers, but, unfortunately,
have no report Of Mr. Coughs address
DR. uosKiNs' REMARKS
Dr. Hoskins, in his remarks, urged that the sys-
ten Of teaching, and the text books also, lacked
practically. This applied as much 10 common
schools as to the academies and colleges indeed,
the system Of teaching In the former was origin
ated in the latter, and the text books are the pro-
ductions Of college professors The result is that
with all this teaching nothing was learned well,
and what was learned was Of little value, because
it was not connected in the minds Of the pupils
with any practical use Pupils who had studied
the spelling book and the grammar for years,
could neither speak write nor spell correctly
pupils who had cphered through a whole
series Of arthmetcs and algebras, could not solve
the common arithmetical questions connected with
the everyday work OF the farm. or the work shop,
much less doa simple job Of land-suUeying, with
accuracy that the study of botany did not give any
familiarity with the trees aud plants of our woods
and fields, that geology might be studied for
years without any clear conceptions being obtain
1 ed of its practical bearings, and that the same
was true of the study Of chemistry, physiology
natural philosophy and every other branch taught
in our schools. There was q missing link between
all these studies in the schools and practical APP
plicatou Of the lessons to the various avocations
in life, and especially Of industrial life
This being the case he argued, there was evil
IDENTIFY good reason for the much complained Of
want OF interest, on the part Of the people in the
schools. The fact is, the people see little use in
the education Of the day, and what use it does
possess is not apparent to them, for want Of a
proper sequence in practical life.
As to the remedy for this state of things, which
justified the common complaint that all education
seemed to lead directly away from the farm, and
when it had any effect upon the pupil excited his
ambition rather to enter the professions, DIR. II.
said that no changes would eyerhe made exceptin
response a strong demand on the part Of the peo-
pie for something better He thought the farmers
ought to demand, and had right to demand first,
that the English language should be so thoroughly
taught in our common schools that those pupils
who receive their education there should be able
to read write and spell it correctly and easily. II
this and the four first rules Of arithmetic were thus
thoroughly taught in our common schools, every
boy and girl though they might never have any
other schooling, would have a useful and practical
education In the higher schools the other
branches should all be taught with constant at
tention to their practical application. This would
require a much better class Of teachers and an en-
tirely different class of text books, neither OF
which should We ever have until the people de-
igand them in a clear, loud and unmistakable tone
The practical system Of education, in contrast
with the scholastic system, would give us graduates
from every school, primary, academic and collegi-
ate prepared, each in their degree, for active life
With tastes directed towards the industrial avoca-
tons, thus giving rs n class Of educated farmer.
aud mechanics, who, being started right, would
Id after life continue with interest the studio.
begun in youth, because everyday experience
would show theryaluc in advancing their material
interests, as well as in developing their intellect
nal powers
MIR. ANDREWS Address
/" Only for the fact that it is human to err, and
that in the error Of my judgment, might stand
partially justified in the minds Of my brother
patrons, should dare the presumption of speaking
to this honorable body, either in defence of the
rights and privileges of the entire membership Of
THE grange, or the highest good OF man generally
Bpt believing 1t to be the bounden duty Of all
members Of the order to defend such rights as be-
long to them, | do the more cheerfully acquiesce.
Aud should 1t be questioned in regard to the rights
and privileges Of the members Of the Grange and
how we are to define the term, would say that
what may be legally right may in many instances,
be morally wrong. | find no law that shall him
der me from stocking my farm with obnoxious
weeds but the only question would be- am JUS
titled in so doing against the immediate wants
and necessities Of myself and family? Thus in the
grange, ii-as il is alleged Of us by many who
stand outside, watching every movement visible
to an observing eye-we are guilty Of the various
crimes 10 which we have become chargeabe, YER
lily we are guilty Of moral wrong while We may
attempt TO avail ourselves OF a legal right Let il
be remembered that while we recognize the Al
mighty hand that holds and controls the destinies
of mankind, and that while we are in the exercise
of wisdom, disposed to seek such aid as alone
comes from the Giyor of every good and perfect
gift it is inevitably true that by faith we are as
an organization the recipients Of such proffered
aid, as that in utter weakness we put forth the
slightest effort to carry ont the precopts OF our
order
Now, then, If it be true that God is not 10 be
recognized in this seemingly glorious movement,
then II is also true that lie has given the devil a
vast field in which 10 SOW his tares the harvest Of
which, were 1t TO be burned, would rise up in a
mighty con1agraton. What, then, my brothers
and sisters, will satisfy MS in regard to the true
merits Or dement's of this great question at issue
We answer that nothing but facts will satisfy
And while they, even, borne by messengers OF
love and mercy to suffering humanity around u.s.
have found little credence among tho sceptlcal
and unbelieving laborers Of the country, yet the
hearts of Il vast multitude are to-day cheered and
and encouraged as this great wheel OF progress is
rolling on in It's gigantic power. Prejudice and
superstition have been compelled to give way as
intelligence and practical experience advances
We look back with profound gratitude to the day
that gave birth to one of the most glorious instu
tons that has ever existed-aside from Christianity
lin the history of the world; an organization that
has done more to elevate the laboring class, and
10 mutually benefit those that hitherto had been
down-trodden and oppressed, and who, through
the powers of combinations, had suffered them
selves to become tho slaves of political dema-
gogues, and the Victims OF capitalists, corpora