Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-04-22
ANNUAL ADDRESS
Delivered before the Caaptieo Grange, Nd,
BY Worthy Master,
Col. A. L. TAvKAu.

gether this day to install our officers,
and, in doing 80, We enter upon 'New
Year" of our Grange life. II has been
our privilege to meet each other here
for twelve months in social intercourse,
ard the broad question now presents
itself to Us, "Are we not better neigh
bors and friends, for these social meet
ings, than we were twelve months ago."
I, unhesitatingly, say yes and I trust
and feel that this sentiment meets with
a hearty response in the breast of every
member of the Grange; and my hope
and wish is, that every locality, in this
county, may ultimately be united ''in
the Grange" / regret, however, that
our Oranges do not increase innumbers,
and that a feeling Of distrust, and, in
some cases. hostility to the Grange, seems
to exist among Us.
think this is perhaps natural; as
the mass of the people are timid, and
chary of movement, which they are
unable to comprehend and take in ut
first sight. But think if we, who are
Patrons, will be true to ourselves, our
Order, and our objects, that time and
example will have q salutary effect in
overcoming all these doubts and pre-
JUDGES. Let US be practieal-let US be
uaifed-let us show, substantially, to
our Brother Farmers, that we do enjoy
benefits in the Grange, and that it is
not slight honor to be welcomed to
the Grange" Let US, by example and
precept, make the Grange SO attractive
as that new members will instinctively
come and "knock at the door,"
If understand the Grange Alright,
among its numerous objects and advan-
tages aimed to be attained is the Guilt
walton of the social feelings, calling into
existence Brotherhood among the Farm
ers of every locality, and teaching them
that wise precept, To love ones neigh
Dor as ones self-never knowingly to
wrong or defraud him in any manner
whatever; and such teachings and such
practices beget that Union rhich Is
strength. The Grange also teaches US
steadily and persistently to avoid debt,
and to educate ourselves to doing our
business on a cash basis, saving to our
selves all those profits which we have
hitherto so lavishly bestowed upon those
whose only interest in us is to squeeze
the lemon of its juice, and afterwards
cast away the peel-and this, too, often
at Sheriff's sale
This habit Of buying for cash will, of
course, only lie learned when We have
obtained the cash itseif-an article, sad
to say, generally wanting among Farm
ers; and why? Because the Farmer,
unlike ell professions or trades, gener-
ally sells all he makes for much less than
cost! What other class of men can do
this and liveI Who fixes the price of
suit of clothcs-the Tailor or the buy
err? Who fixes the prices of Groceries
Dry Goods Hardware uanos-
Hotel bills, etc, etc, etc? Why, of
course, the man who has his capital in
rested ia that particular business, and he
first counts the cost, and then fixes n
price that will bring him back, not only
the money invested. but fair profit on
the investment besides. Take for ex-
ample tie manufacturer-he estimates
the cost of an article by the pay of his
hands, the value of the materials used
and then adds liberal per cent to that
cost as margin" All he needs is a
good demand for his wares-his profits
are a sure thing-otherw he discharges
his hands, shuts up his factory and waits
for change-which, sooner or later,
always comes. Not so, however, the
Farmer-he invests his capital in land,
stock, implements, etc.-then ploughs
and sows, regardless of markets-har-
vests his crops, and then, without max
ing any calculation on the cost, wonder
full to relate, puts his products on the
market and permits the buyer to fir a
price on them. The buyer, very natu-
rally, regardless of the Farmers inter-
est, and benefting by such a privilege,
does fix the price for him with q ven
geance; and clevsrly manages to enrich
himself by the transaction, while he beg
CARS the Farmer. Where is the COM
mon sense or justice of such course !?
Under what authority has any one the
right to dictate what farm products are
worth except the Farmer himself! the
only one who has toiled and moiled,
through the burning sun of Summer to
make them grow, and gathers them
into his barns that man may have food
to eat"
And here is where the whole root of
the evil is to be found. Let the Farm.
ers study their figures-let them go
intelligently to work; and, like the
manufacturer, estimate the cost of their
Wheat, or Corn, or ANYTHING else,-let
them, also, be able to say This art;-
Gle has cost so much a bushel or pound
to raise; and, like those other parties,
We must also add cur per eentage for
profitable margin" So much a
bushel or pound should be our price;
and, by proper understanding among
ourselves in the Grange, can be made
the price of the article all over the Uni
ted States. If city folks are unwilling
to pay us fair liriag prices. city folks
must go without. Can the csy live
without the farm? No. Can the farm
live without the city? Yes! And,
besides, can stand out a pretty long
siege at that. The implements on any
respectable farm to-day could be made
to do" in an emergency, for several
years to come, and the old clothes also:
and the Farmer and his family. with
Bread ard meat raiscd at home" can
make himself as independent Of the
outside Commercial World" as the
circumstances might require. Where is
there another Head Of a Family -
on Gods Earth. who can claim the
same proud distinction? Think Of this