The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-03-11
GRANGE DEPARTMENT.
An Address,

"
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRy: From the
snow-clad hills, the flowcry dsles, the
golden shore and prairie lands, we
meet together by the historic palmet- |
to. Not as Nomads, who gather at
shrine in obedience 10 n sentiment, DO
we come, but as chosen representatives
Of the fraternity whose object is the
moral and material advancement OF
The greatest industrial interest OF the
great republic. Standing as we do to-
day upon the narrow line which di-
yides the past from tire future, about
to step forward into that time which
is all unseen by human eye, it bchooscs
lis 10 well'scrutinize the track behind,
that we may gain thereby some clue to
the path before. One year ago we met
beyond the Father of Waters, and COLI
graduated ourselves on the growth and
strength of our gigantic Young Order.
To-day, by The crer-sounding sea, we
proudly proclaim that our members
have increased one hundred fold. Two
more sister states Maine aud Monta-
nal have joined our ranks, and the few
remaining ones are joyfully on the way.
The work has spread from ocean TO
ocean. The winds have waited the
sounds across, and now they come back
like echoes from the other shore, ask
ing lis TO extend to other people help
ing hand. This uprising and organic
ing OF great and scattering interest
has not a parallel in the history of the
world. The magnitude and force OF
the movement has surprised it's friends.
and alarmed its foes. II has burst up
on us with the sudenness of the errat-
ic comet, yet promises 10 remain with
the briiIiancy and permanency Of the
sun. II found the agriculture of the
nation unorganized, isolated, unrecog-
uized. weak. plodding, and their voices
virtually uDheard in the councils of the
land. To-day they are organized, unit
ed, strong. thoughtful, and daily re-
spected and recognized rs one of the
great powers that be. Though much
has been done in awakening thought
and clearing the field, yet we have but
just stepped upon the mount and
caught a faint
GLIMPSE OF THE PROMISED LAND.
Right before US it lies, awaiting our
possession. But ere we fairly reach
the goal aud fully possess the land we
see, a wide, weary waste is 10 be
crossed. which will tax to our utmost
cur prudence, our perseverance and
our valor. The positions Of honor
and trust. the avenues TO great wealth
the molding of the political, financial
and educational institutions Of the
nation. have long been in the hands Of
members of other callings. This mo
nopoly will not be given up without
struggle: and whoever enlists III thu
Patrons of Husbandry in the expccta
ton of an easy victory, reckons with
out his host. Our movement has bcci
aud will be met by a most determined
and persistent warfare-cvery meant
which talent, wealth and place car
command will be used. So while W.
believe in the goodness of God and tn
Justice OF our cause, we must maintain
uubrosen ranks aud keep our powder
dry. In many Of the states the worl
of organizing oranges has been nearl!
completed, and the noise and cnthusi
asm tending it is succeeded by com
narrative silence. The Order is there
, passing through the ordeal which sha,
reveal its weakness or display its
strength. Though enthusiasm and
noise were very suitable and efficient
means to kindlc the flame, they arc
alot the material with which TO mann
tain steady and lasting heat. To pre-
serve the vantage ground we have
gained, and insure permancnce and fur.
thcr advancement, we must be able to
show TO our members and the world
that material ana moral gain does and
will result from our organization.
WE MUST KEEP OUR RANKS FULL,
our faith strong. our work pure and
our actions wise. One year ago called
the attention of this body to the fact
that the subordinate oranges are the
foundation and life of our order, aud
urged the necessity of aiding them by
devising profitable and agreeable plans
of work and recreation, SO that the
present membership and interest
would be not only maintained but in
creased. Owing TO press of business
no action was taken in this matter, and
the subordinate oranges have been
thrown on their own resources. an
happy TO announce that most of then
have been equal to the emergency, but
many of the weaker have languished
and failed simply for want of little pa
tcrnal aid and counsel in their infancy
We cannot afford to thus allow Tho
weak (for whom especially we should
proyide) to fall 10y the waysidc. 1t il
our stern duty, and should be Nh un
mixed pleasure TO tend. direct and up
hold them. Ii we fail in this, we fai
ia carrying out one OF. our most cardi
nal principles. Let me then most earn
estly request you TO give this subject
Your attention as one of the most I'M
portamt which ever came before you
II would be impossible. even were il
desirable. in a paper like this, TO dis
Germ all the grave subjects which viii
demand your attention, but there are
some which | cannot pass without :
brief notice. Prominent among these
is the subject of transportation, il
which every citizen has an interest
either as a producer or consumer
There is deep-seated and well-found
ed conviction that the present mode OF
carrying commodities are usclessly ex.
pensive.- The people and the govern
ment have literally aided in the con
siruction of
RAILROADS AND CANALS,
in the expectation that increased facil-
ites would result in the cheaper rates
of transportation. We relied implied.
lyon the idea that by building numer'
Gus routes we would attain the bene-
fits OF competition, aud secure fai:
rates: but sad experience has fully
proven that increases in number and
strength of transportation companies
only result in more oppressive aud gil
rautic continuation Though VIC have