The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-16

cause, to fear even the most formi dable
combinations of our foes. Our dangers
are now internal. and our duties lie in
watchfully guarding against them.
Our first and greatest danger is intern
al discord. This our enemies, who see
the uselessness of an open attack upon
our serried lines, will be active enough
In secretly tomenting. II we are so un.
wise as to play into their hands We are
lost.
Our growth has been unprecedentedly
rapid. An immense body of men ana
women, hitherto comparatively isolated,
and totally unaccusiomed to co-opera-
tive action. have been drawn together
into an, organization, wisely planned and
admirable in its design; but necessarily
imperfect In its working parts, as every
thing OF the kind must be, in the begin
ming. In consequence, there will be
more or less disappointment and dissatis-
faction, and disposition, on the part OF
| some, to complain OF. and perhaps resist
the edicts oil State and National Oranges.
Local and personal JealOusies, unless
vigilantly guarded against, will also
Wisdom and prudence alone can save US
from disaster in this direction.
The most solemn obligations bind us
in fraternal relations with each other
throughout the whole Order, and fidelity
Is the crOwning virtue Of the Patron. 10
guard ourselves against the elements of
discord, we have but to bear these Obli-
cations III mind, cultivate faith, hope
and charity, practice torbearance, and ex-
ercise patience, trusting to time to rem.
edy what seem to us lmperiections and
wrongs. Let these principles be con-
stantly inculcated in every Grange, and
whatever differences may arise, there
will be no discord.
A second source of lurking danger may
be found in the political questions which
agitate the country. These questions
often come up in such disguise that, un-
less we are exceedingly careful, we shall
find ourselves, as an organization, in
v0lved in the complications of party
strife, in spite Of our Constitution and
our Declaration of Purposes.
Brothers, hang up conspicuously in
every Grange this warning: Betc0re of
Politics and Politicians! We are making
war upon Rings and Monopolies outside
of our gates. We must not forget that
human nature is the same within the
Order as elsewhere, and that while we
are crushing combinations that are SWIM
ding and expressing us, there may be
danger that designing men, who have
found their way within the gates, will try
to subyert the organization to the fur
therance Of their own personal ends, by
creating offices and inaugurating move
ments calculated to give themselves po-
sition and emolument at the expense OF
the fraternity. We hope there are not
many such false friends among us, but il
there be any, they should be watched.
Another danger to which we are eX-
posed, comes from presence among US Of
we'll meaning and able, but somewhat
visionary and impractical members, who
will earnestly urge upon the Order the
undertaking of various enterprises not
properly within its scope, and whose
prosecution would lead to veXatious
complications and ultimate ruin. There
are many things, too, for which, though
periectly legitimate as Grange work, the
time has not arrived. We must not at
tempt too much. but SNAKE haste SLOW
ly." We have great deal to do, at pres
ent, in the way OF perfecting our organi-
zation and discipline. Without harmo-
ny, unity, and that drill or training
which will enable as to act in efficient
concert, our numbers will only become
an element OF weakness. With them,
our power and permanence are assured.
We do not speak as an alarmist. Tor we
have full faith in the triumph OF our
principles, and believe that the dangers
we have limited at, and others which may
lie in our way, need but to be seen To be
avoided or overcome. Our words are
but the friendly warning of one who has
the good of the Order deeply at heart
Rural Carelinian.