The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-04-09
THE GRANGE AS AN EDucATol

THE GRANGE AS AN EDUCATOR.
One of the most important matters
in connection with the Grange is its
educational advantages, in the new
Interest It gives 10 the people, more
particularly, the farmer or tiller of
the soil, who, from time memorial, has
been considered tit subject to be
drove or led, as the circumstances of
the case may or might have required.
That their advantages for education
have been limited to few months
schooling each year in an old log
school house, is their misfortune. A
teacher who knew about as we'll how
to teach them as the lawyer of
our day knows of heaven, who used
his ferule and his muscle more than
his brain; that they have kept pase
with the werld as well as they have, is
matter Of surprise. That their edu-
cation, when they have any whatever,
was such as would but save them from
sacrifice at the hands of their sharper
neighbors. Bat the time is at hand
when, to be successful farmer, it is
necessary to understand something of
the nature of the soil you cultivate, of
It's component parts, whether it is
sandy, limestone, or clay, and what
ingredients are lacking 90 raise the
crops you wish 20 cultivate, &c. So
far as matters of u public and political
interest are concerned, they have al
ways been led and dictated to by par
ties whose interests were directly in
conflict with theirs. If there were
any laws to be made, they were al
ways told that no one could do 1t but q
lawyer or sonic other deznagogue from
the town or city, who cared about as
much for their interest, after he had
their votes, a. he did for what he said
while he made his speech, or said his
piece In the country school house. In
this matter the Grange enlightens as !;
for in all Oranges there are some who
understand somewhat of these matters,
and we grow bright by friction
or by rubbing against one another.
Thousands OF farmers, before the
Grange came into existence, did not
know how to conduct school meeting
respectfully, and were not able to rise
to their feet in AM audience and ex-
press an idea clearly. That there are
many who cannot do so now, is true !;
bat there are many who have learned
to talk, and talk well, before an audi
enee, is also true. This is one of the
benefits OF the Grange and its teach
ing.
One great cause of theOorruption in
our governmental affairs Is the masses
lack of knowledge and interest In the
matters in which they are directly in
terested. Everything is left 10 the
politician. They either neglect to at
tend the polls or vote merely as some
paper or soma political shys-
ter tells them. The Grange Is learn
ing them to think, and teaches them to
inquire into the science of govern
menE and true social ecoaomy--in
short, it tends to make them inde-
pendent thinkers. The cry of tue in
dependent farmer can be no longer
palmed OF upon them as the truth.
They begin TO realize the fact that
they have been the worst imposed up
on of any class of people who labor fer
q subsistence. And it is from this Ia
Dor that the wealth OF all nations Is
derived. Consequently it is fair con-
clusion that labor should have an even
chance with capital, by the law max
ing power. The Grange, rs an edncs-
tor, tends to elevate and dignity labor,
and wOrkingmen from this time ont
propose that labor shall command that
respect which intelligence gives, and
which capitalists and politicians will
respect, but which they cannot rule.
RAY