The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-09-13
Encouraging Reports From Sister State
The Grange Picnic at Riverside, Iowa.
MUsCATINE, Iowa, Aug %, 1875.

Ed. Anti .uonopolist:
The meeting of the Patrons, at Riverside, on
the 25th, to hold a harvest home feast, proved
to be one Of those pleasant reunions that are
looked back upon, in future days, as one OF the
white days IN a PERSONS existence. The ad
dress delivered by Miss Julia A. Garretson,
the State Lectures, was listened 10 with the
most profound attention, and many that at
tended through curiosity to hear female speak
er We're deeply impressed with the force Of her
arguments. The enemies of the order have
been inclined to crow good deal over the
GOODNESS that they thought was fast drifting the
great order of the Patrons of Husbandry into
dissolution and decay, but such meetings and
the earnest and heartfelt sentiments that were
expressed by the different speakers seemed to
intuse fresh life and spirit into the members,
and each felt how great a responsibility rested
on them Individually, to Sustain the Order and
protect the sacred rights of the citizen. If the
Grange never accomplished anything more than
educating the citizen up to the duties and les
pen>it ihties devolving upon him as a member
OF society, il is worth ten fold what it cost. 1t
gives men more self-confidenee, and teaches
the farmer self reliance and it is fast develop
ing truth that has lain dormant for centuries
that there Is fully great q share of talent and
enterprise to be toupd among the farmers as
any other class i'll society. The meeting was
very well attended, and many that attended
through curiosity Went nome deeply impressed
with the urgent nescessity of perseverance and
hearty corporation. The bretheren of the Or
der have every reason to be proud of the organ
ization. 1t has become power in the land,
and gone far ahead of the expectations of its
most sanguiIe friends. | send these few lines
to cheer the bretheren of Minnesota. Let each
keep his armor bright, and having put his
hand t. the plow there should be no looking
| ack Let there be more Of these general and
open meetings, and invite our fellow farmers
to come in and partakc with us. Another most
potent means OF spreading light and informa-
ton amongst the farmers are the holding of
Farmers Institutes during the winter. say,
the winter. as that is time that the farmers
can best spare as there are no elections
pending they can discuss all the great political
questions that erery eisi<en should thorough
IL uaderstaad at time when there is no excl
,ement. This financial question is exciting a
good deal Of attention and the farnere are be-
ginning TO find out they have an interest in the
matter. and are determined to investigate il. So
the Grange is stirring up the social deeps and
developing habits of thought and inquiry that
Were always left heretofore to fnanceiers and
profound thinkers. 1t takes mining TO de-
velop the best nuggets, and the finest pearls
are always found in the deep water. and ii re-
quiras exertlon to obtain them: so persevere,
hrethersn, the promise is for those who hold
out true to the end. With best wishes Tor the
success Of the order,
remain yours fraternallv,
SAMUEL SIyyETT.