The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-03-27
Views of ID. w, Adams, Master Nat1ona
Grange,

Husbandry, at the recent meeting OF the oody,
we take the following, giving his views on
some very important questions:
In many of the states the work of organic
ing Oranges has been nearly completed, and
the noise and enthusiasm attending it is sue
ceeded by comparative silence. The Order
is there passing through the ordeal which
shall reveal its weakness or display its
strength Through enthusiasm and noise
were very suitable and efficient means to
kindle the flame, they are not the material
with which to maintain steady and lasting
heat
To preserve the vantage ground we have
gained, and assure permanence and further
advancement, we must be able to show to our
members and the world that material and
moral gain does and will result from our or.
ganization; we must keep our ranks full,
our actions wise.
There is a deep-seated and wcll.tourdcd
conviction that the present modes of Garry
ing commodities are uselessly expensive,
The people and the Government have liber.
and canals in the expectation that increased
facilities would result in cheaper rates Of
transportation. We relied implicitly on the
idea that by building numerous routes we
would attain the benefits of competition and
secure fair rates. but sad experience has full
ly proven that increase IN number and
strength Of transportation companies only
result in more oppressive and gigantic com
binations. Though we have some powerful
lines between the Northwest and Northeast,
yet, instead Of their competing to reduce
rates. they have within few days formed a
now combination by which western bound
frcights have been advanced.
To remedy this alarming and growing evil,
thn pnopln in thor individual ranarItv are
powerless, and only through their united &C.
ton as sovcreigns can they obtain redress.
In some Of the states something Of this has
been done, but it has been necessarily frag-
mentary and wholly imperative on through
ireights. 1t is utterly impractical tor the
several states TO act in concert through the
different Legislatures. see, then, no solu-
ton Of this question but for the people of
the several states, through their Representa-
tres to the general Government, TO stretch
cut their strong arm between the people and
hose corporations.
know speak the sentiments of the peo-
lie when l say we would do no wrong to the
aptal normally invested in railroads. We
ully recognize their capacity for good and
I'll their just claims but we demand JUS
ice and protection for the people. But even
/ railroads do carry at far rates. still the
let starcs us in the face that transportation
heavy commodities is at least an expensive
luxury, and our true policy is to bring produc-
r and consumer nearer together, and so the
c,s transporting.
We Of The south and west especially
should spare no pains 10 introduce and foster
manufactures in our midst, that we be not
obliged to transport our raw material out and
the manufactured article in. We of the east,
where manufactures are many and strong,
should with equal assiduity, promote the cu-
tiyatiOn of the raw material, that the terrible
strain on transportation be lessoned. | have
long ago said that the history Of the world
or its present condition does not afford q sin.
gle example of a country which has remain
cd permanently prosperous by the production
and expectation of raw material, but their
tendency is all the time toward a condition
Of dependence OF poverty.
Il is an lndSputable fact that our country
is now seriously suffering from derange-
ment Of finances. We need not be at a loss
to know the cause. |: is a solemn reality
that our country has passed through most
wasting civil war. Ii cost It's in money, time
lost, industry disturbed, material destroyed,
production stopped, mori than 10000, OOO,o5O
That immense sum was, IN four years sub
traCted from tie wealth of the country ii
was CONSUMED and forever gone II made us
comparatively poor. To bridge over the
emergency of the hour the Government is
sued great volumes OF irredeemabe paper
currency, which we used as money, and thus
for time disguised and hid our poverty. by
using this currency OuI Judgment OF values
became more and more confused As we
drlfted further from the worlds standard.
We totally failed to realize our changed cir.
cumstances and to inaugurate correspond
inr system of economy and industry, and
cODseuuentv, with an inheritance OF debt,
oxtrayagant habits and distorted judgment OF
values We have been necessarily drifting to
leeward.
ont of the troubles there is 10 royal road.
Only by a return to habits OF industry and
economy, guided by intelligence, can we re-
ram our wealth and remove our load OF deot
As an auxiliary 20 this we want a stable ana
sound currency that shall be reliaoic meas,
ure Of values and recognized as such oy an
the civilized world. For we may gam ms
truth from Others and our own history, thai
an irredcemablc, fluctuating currency always
fsvors speculaturs and sharpers at the expense
of those engaged in productive industry;
An amendment to the constitution mas oecn
adop,ed and ratified providing for county
Oranges under the direction oil STATE oranges
EN- fully convinced, from vlsitlng seVer"I
states, that the widest possible aiherenc
will exist in the organization and manage
rent of these Oranges IN the different states
Under proper and efficient rules they cahEo
fail to be OF eminent value TO the ordeF, ou
If loosely and care!essly constructed, the!
will be a source of endless annoyance an'
confusion As the Masters OF all the stat
Oranges arc here togetherin council IL mlgh
be well for this body TO carefully prepare
complete system of management OF MIN az
gree for county Oranges, and send 1t to I'll
states.
1t is an agreeable fact 10 state that the icy
enues OF the national grange have been aboy
the expenditures, thus leaving balance !
the treasury, as will appear by the report
the Worthy Treasurer. This subject OF oil
finances is one upon which the members
the Order are particularly, and very properl
quite sensitive, and we owe il not only
them, but to ourselves that the receipt an
disbursement of all moneys be conducted