The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-06-24
GRANGE PIC-NICS.


We had the pleasure last week Of at
tending Grange celebration held June
18th, on the farm of E. L. Whitaker at
Point Douglass, Minn. Somewhere be-
tween 1,500 and 1000 persons were pres
ert, men, women and children. A num-
Der of different Oranges in Minnesota and
Wisconsin were represented, some even
from River Falls, Wis, thirteen miles
distant. The best of feeling prevailed
the weather was fine, the collation. ample
and choice, and the speaking by Hon.
Ebenezer Ayers and Hon. VIM. Jones,
excellent; Of the third speaker modesty
forbids US to say one word. Hon. John
Byers, of Dakota county, was loudly call
ed for and he responded by making few
very practical remarks upon the neces-
sity of taking up collection to remuner.
ate the Point Douglass band which had
discoursed some excellent music.
An amusing incident occurred during
Mr.. Jones speech. He was talking
the farmers with contempt, and he said
You see them strutting around with
shiny plug hats ON them, looking as if
they owned the whole world.
The only man on the ground who wore
plug hat" and justice compels US to ad-
NIT that it was not very ''shiny," was
our old friend Stebbins, Of the Hastings
Gazette; and when the crowd began to
laugh and look around Cor plug hats,
Steb. sunk his head between his should.
ers and bored himself into the ground
like female grasshopper laying eggs.
But he recovered in few minutes and
took the jokes of his friends in good part.
We are convinced. however, that if he
had expressed his sincere opinion Of Mr..
Jones. at that moment,it would not have
accorded with the opinion which MIR.
Jones, very properly, entertain of him
self.
The place where the picnic was held
is the high point between the Mississippi
and St. Croix rivers. At the extreme
end Of the poin: a view can be obtained
which has few parallels in the world.
Wisconsin and Minnesota lie spread out
before you like great panorama; the
beautiful cities of Hastings and Prescott
and the village of Point Douglass lie at
your feet; while the eye can roam far
down the glorious valley Of the Aiissis-
sippi, studded with green islands and
framed in grand environment of noun
famous bluffs. The day will come when
this spot will be a regular visiting place
for tourists and artists. 1t commands
scene of beauty that will be a JOY for
ever.
On Thursday, the 18th inst, we at
tended still larger gathering of the Pa
irons, held at Mortified, IN homer of the
centennial anniversary of the Battle of
Bunker Hill. Not far from 5000 people
were on the ground. They met in
handsome grove close to the village; and
when they sat down under the green
trees. IN groups to discuss the contents
of their groaning baskets and hampers.
the scene was indeed beautiful.
After the dinner came the speaking.
preceded by patriotic prayer by the
Rev. Mr.. Wiley. Hon. Samuel E. Ad-
ans, Worthy Master Of the State Grange,
delivered the Grafton Of the day, care
fully prepared and eloquent address.
which was well received He was follow
ed by the editor of the ASTI-MoxoPoLIsT.
in some rambling extemporaneous re-
marks about the Changers, the battle Of
Bunker Hill. the wheat crops, civilization,
education. emancipation, and little Of
everything else under the sun Mr..
Willy then told some stories Of the battle