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

Views of ID. w. Adams, Master Nationa
Grange.
From the address of ID. W. Adams, of Iowa
Master Of the National Grange Of Patrons o
HuSbandry, at the recent meeting OF the body
we take the following, giving his views OF
some very important questions:
In many of the states the work OF organic
ing Oranges has been nearly completed, anC
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 tC
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-tourded
conviction that the present modes of carry
ing commodities are useessly expensive
The people and the Government have liber
ally aided in the construction of railroads
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
Oinations. 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 q
now combination by which western bound
frcights have been advanced
To remedy this alarming and growing evil,
the people, in Their individual capacity are
powerless, and only through their united ac.
ton as sovcreigns can they obtain redress.
Ia 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, 10 stretch
cut their strong arm between the people and
hose corporations.
know | speak the sentiments of the PEG.
lie when | say we would do no wrong to the
;apital nomlnally 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
i railroads do carry at far rates, still the
hct starcs us in the face that transportation
d heavy commodities is at least an expensive
luxury, and our trle policy is to bring produc.
r and consumer nearer together, and so the
csS transporting.
We of The south and west especially,
should spare no pains to 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 cul-
lyatiOn OF the raw material that the terrible
strain on transportation be lessoncd. | have
ong ago said that the history Of the world
or its present condition does not afford a sin.
gle example of a country which has remain
ed permanently prosperous by the production
and expectation of a raw material, but their
tendency is all the time toward a condition
Of dependence OF poverty.
Il is an IndiSputable fact that our country
is now seriously suffering from u derange-
ment of finances. We need not be at u loss
to know the cause. II is a solemn reality
that our country has passed through a most
wasting civil war. II cost It's in money, time
lost, industry disturbed, material destroyed
production stopped, morei than 1O0O0OOO,p50
That Immense sum was, IN four years sub
tracted from tie wealth of the country. 1t
was CONSUMED, and forever gone. II made us
comparatively poor To bridge over the
emergency of the hour, tie Government is
sued great volumes Of irredeemabie paper
currency, which we used as money, and thus
for g time disguised and hid our poverty. BY
using this currency our judgment of values
became more and more confused As we
drlfted further from the worlds standard
We totally failed to realize cur changed Cir
cumstances and to inaugurate a correspond
ing system of economy and industry, and
consequently, with an inheritance OF debt,
cxtravagant habits and distorted judgment OF
values, we have been necessarily drifting 10
ieeward.
Out of the troubles there Is 10 royal road
Only by q return to habits OF industry and
economy, guided by intelligence, can we re-
RAIN Our wealth and remove our load OF debt
As an auxiliary 90 this we want stable and
found currency that shall be reliable meas
ire of values and recognized as such by all
ne civilized world. For we may gain this
ruth from others and our own history, that
4 irredcemablc, fluctuating currency always
avoTS spectators and sharpcrs al the expense
those engaged in productive industry;
An amendment to the constitution has been
dopted and ratified, providing for county
ranges under the direction of state oranges.
am fully convinced, from visiting several
ates that the widest possible dliierenc S
i'll exist in the organization and manage,
ent of these Oranges IN the different states
nder proper and efficient rules they cannot
il to be Of eminent value 10 the Order, but
loosely and careiessly constructed, they
IL be a source of endless annoyance and
Infusion. As the Masters OF all the state
'anges are here togetherin council, ii might
well for this body TO carefully prepare q
mpletc system of management of fifth dc
re for county Oranges, and send 1t 10 The
ties.
I is an agreeable fact 10 state that the rev
les of the national grange have been abov,
expenditures, thus leaving balance il
treasury, as will appear by the report o
Worthy Treasurer. This subject of on
-, l. rrn ,1nnn which the mennhnr- n