Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-01-23

the Installation of the Officers elec
for the Ensuing Year, Maur
Grange No. 40. Published by re
quest of the Grange.
Brothers and Through th
mercies of an ever kind and overrulin!
Providence, we haye been permitte,
to meet as grange at this, our frs
annual meeting, for the purpose of in
staling our officers.
Brothers and sisters, allow me tC
return my sincere thanks for the honor
you have conferred on me by this re
newed expression of your confidence
in re-electing me your master During
my past administration, without
doubt, | have committed many errors
but all errors made in my rulings you
must attribute to the head and not tc
the heart, for assure you my hear,
is in this great work of reform.
Our order is young; it has not
passed its eighth yea: yet from its in
cipiency; and although n child in age,
yet it is a man in strength and power
and is already felt throughout the
length and breadth of the land. Few
outsiders are acquainted with tie
workings of the order; hence there
are many misconceptions in regard
to its aims and its objects and much
prejudice existing against it. Mem
bers of the order, to properly appreci,
ate it, must have their hearts in this
great work. We must read. think
and act for ourselves, and study how
we can best promote our own happi-
ness and the happiness of our fellow
beings. We all have much to learn.
Then let US devote time and thought
how the interest of our Grange and
order can best be promoted.
l assure YOU, to the best of nv
abilities, | will endeavor to perform
the duties of my office without par
tiality. Brothers ard sisters, | will
need and require the hearty co-opera-
tion Of each one of you to maintain
the dignity SO necessary to make
Maury Grange popular and gather in
all proper material and bind them with
the mystic tie Of our order, and enlist
them as one grand army in the onward
move of retrenchment and reform.
Brothers and sisters, while the
black ball is the safeguard of our
order, it should be judiciously but
never improperly used; personal mat
tiers and personal difficulties should be
laid aside, where the material or ap-
plicant is otherwise worthy. The
object Of our order is to elevate our
race in moral excellence and social
standing, and build up the farmer, and
redeem our common country from
certain bankruptcy. Everything rests
on the farmer, and while many of the
different classes seek admission into
our order for selfish purposes, to spy
out our liberties, should receive the
condemnation Of all true Patrons, vet
the honest farmer, it matters not how
poor be may be, is entitled to all the
benefits of the order. And while no
brother or sister has the right to ques-
tion the black ball, let us not be gov
erned by phantom but let US of our
own knowledge know something real
to disqualify the applicant before we
use it,
am happy to meet so many of you
to-day on this eventful occasion con-
sidering the inclemency ofthe weather,
it shows that your hearts are in the
work. am proud to announce to
you that so far as know our men,
bers are all in peace and harmony.
Let US ever try to keep out of this
Grange spirit of par,yism and every
thing of an unpleasant nature.
Should anything unpleasant occur
between members let such bear and
fOrbear as Christians and Patrons;
then all can look forward to Grange
day with pleasure.
Brothers and sisters, allow me to
thank you for your puuctual attend
ance at each regular meeting since
have been mastor of this Grange. 1t
has been pleasant to meet you, "But
alas! every sweet has It's bitter"
There is one happy smiling face with
whom we have often sat and taken
sweet counsel from. allude to our
late worthy secretary and State
Deputy, Henry Dinkins. He is gone!
lie meets US no more until we Join
him in the great harvest field. The
Great Master sounded the alarm. He
had use for him in bis ripened harvest
field above. He took him because be
was his own. Let US acknowledge
this fact and bow in humble submis-
sion, knowing well that We too must
respond to the Great Masters call
sooner or later. Let US initiate the
virtues of this true patron, who had
ehdeared himself to all Changers, but
especially to the members of his own
Grange, by his gentleness, by his
courtesy, by his frmness and by his
fidelity to the order.
Brothers and sisters, allow me to
urge you not to tire in this great work,
but to be at your posts at each regu-
lar meeting. This is the plan by
which we can consumma,e the grand
design Of our honored aud respected
order. Let US do all we can to
acquaint ourselves with the secret
work Of our order and further the
designs of its founders. Let US not
he actua'ed by selfish motives but bv
pure patriotism. aud do all we can to
further the interest of our common