Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
Letter from Iowa.

LADoRA, Iowa, February 10th, 1875
Messrs Editors II am not n constant reader Of
your paper but always welcome it as an old
friend whenever it falls into my hands, and rejoice
to learn news from Vermont, my native state
Have just had the pleasure OF reading your issue
OF January 18Th, containing Letter from Iowa"
which impels to write you letter, and, II you
think best wish you TO give it to your readers.
The letter referred to was written by one once
knew and highly esteemed, but think he is not
correctly Informed on one subject for | do not
think he would knowingly mis-state any matter.
However, am unwilling Vermont farmers should
be thus misled. refer to the grange movement
His account aecords with the talk OF outsiders
from the start of that enterprise those who either
do not understand the benefits and aims of the
order, or It goes against their interest in some
way. think the facts arc that the order never
was so strong as now, or promised more advantage
to the farmer here and elsewere Its objects and
aims are good, and cannot result in anything but
good to its members II properly carried out
Any good organization can be perverted and fail
by the neglect or evil design OF It's members to
result in the good it might No doubt there are
some who entered into the movement with extray-
agant ideas that 1t would accomplish every
thing at once, who have been disappointed
Others joined for the sake OF making money out
of it, who have failed. These have in some cases
dropped from its ranks, but not TO weaken It's
power. II has been weeded Of weak and unworthy
members while the " honest and honorable men .
are still working steadily to carry out its good
purposes. think every farmer in this state has
received benefit, either directly or indirectly, from
this movement, for many of Its indirect benefits
fall on ALL whether members or not There have
been some mistakes and failures Of course-we
could not expect unyarying success in every at
tempt. There Is no profession whose members do
not organize for mutual benefit (physcians in
clnded). Why may not the farmer Why the
cry about IT, as though they were committing some
crime against society Another matter / must
Just refer to. do not like the trifing manner In
which your correspondent speaks OF the grass
hopper scare, as though II were scare merely
and not reality 1t is a terrible reality. | do
not need TO make statement for your readers
have doubtless seen true accounts. do not think
the case has been oyerstated In the papers, but
there Is great need of help, and will be for some
time TO come why repress any benevolent feel
ing anywhere that would go out Tor their aid? So
could the West have taken care Of the Chicago
sufferers, but the sympathy Of the world was
aroused, and II did the benevolent hearts good 10
send relief II did the all ted ones TO receive II
The West may be able to 4 all that is needed
and perhaps Will they will not however, be over
burdtned ! believe IL New England opens her |
hand also. The poor settlers need something
more than TO keep them from starving through |
the winter, They must wait for another harvest
To supply their own wants, II, indeed that should
not be taken from them like the last Bnt INV
letter Is already too long-so will close.
Iowa GRANGER