Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-26
WHOLE NO. 225.

are establishing so many grangesl The an
swer is, the farmers and laborers have been
so long bound down, looked upon rs an in.
ferior class in community, that they are de-
termined to show to the world that they are
men and women having brains which they
are going to use, and show to the world that
they can do their own thinking and business;
that truth and justice has been crushed to
earth long enough; that it is TO rise again
that no merchant rings, lawyer rings, salary
grab rings, or any other rings can prevent
it.
Although the Patrons grange is establish
cd on a sure foundation, founded upon the
rock Of truth and justice which aristocracy
and persecution cannot overthrow, still we
must not think all has been done that can or
ought to be to make our home what it should
be. There is work vet TO do. Though our
homes are rapidly increasing we cannot al
ways go along with a rush. There must bo
time to stop and take breath, after which
we can go along with increased vigor. We
must all feel that we have undertaken u
great work, and that it will require patience
and perseverance to carry it on successfully.
We shall find many difficulties to encount-
er. Enibarrassments will frequently meet
us, but energy and careful management will
bring success. This great movement calls
for labor and continual watchfulness. We
should all do what we can in this work of
improvement. We that poss ess but one tai
ont, let us improve the one. Let us not like
the unfaithful steward bury it in the earth.
There is much for us to do. There is work
for us all. And that is the reason / attempt
TO say IL few words hero to-day. Because 1
feel it to be the du ty of all Patrons to do
what they can for the good of the cause.
wish that at all our grange meetings ev-
cry one would feel mt home, and say q few
words. We rs farmers and Patrons have n
work, mission TO perform, and noble one
it is. We need not stand idly waiting, for
some one to do our work for us. We have
already waited too long, and the longer we
wait the weaker we are. The Patron has
no right to live II useless, aimless life, with
no thought or care for the present and none
for the future. 1t is our duty to help each
other in all good undertakings. i feel there
| is yet much room to talk of the great benefit
of the Patrons home, of its influence upon
ourselves and community in general. But 1
Will tax your patience but lew moments
longer.
As we meet from time to time in our diff
| ferent grange homes, to spend a few hours IN
needed recreation, TO exchange kindly feel
| ings and take measures for our future pros
| perity and usefulness-let us use no slang
phrases, no bitter words, no disrespectful
language. Let our homes not be morOse
and gloomy but genial, joyous, sunshiny and
happy. As the traveller who is far away
from his home looks forward with pleasure
to the time when he shall again meet those
that are near ard dear to him, SO may we, rs
we are engaged in our daily toll, look for
ward to our grange meeting with pleasure.
| For It's here we greet each other with kind
words. 'Tis here we learn much that is good
and nothing that is evil. Ills here the great
principles of charity arc inculcated. Tis
here the farmer becomes more refined, and
| is lifted to higher place in society. Tis
here we can learn the principles of economy.
| 'Tis here we can fertilze our minds with the
virtues of love, truth and charity. 'Tis here
we can learn the lessons that Nature teach
es, the truths which remind us of the i'm
mense greatness of God and our own little
ness. Tis here our minds are lifted above
the ordinary objects of life, its money gett ing
and honor-seeking schemes, to objects m ore
noble and sublime.
And us we go on improving in this our
grange home may VIC become better prepar-
ed Tor that home we are looking forward TO
in the future, that home eternal in the heav-
|