Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-11-11
west virginia state Grange.

ginia held its annual session in Par
kersburg on the LIST inst. The meet
ing was quite interesting, and the
different portions of the State were
pretty generally represented.
Each subordinate grange has
vote, and as many as see fit can at
tend and talk, but cannot vote. The
body is becoming too large and cum
bersOme,and the representation was
cut down, allowing each county or
Pomona Grange to send one repre-
sentative and vote for as many
oranges as he represents, yet allow
ing each grange to represent itself II
it so desires.
The following is the address of the
Master, Hon. b. NJ. Kitchen:
Brothers and Sisters:
We always see success follow WELL
directed effort. 1t does not matter
in what calling men are engaged their
success depends upon the attention
and vigilance they give their occupa-
ton. Prosperity, gain and profit are
only the results of labor. Those who
rely on tickle fortune and chance, are
those ''who SOW to the wind ard reap
the whirlwind." The purse is given
when the race is won. The award is
made to the successful competitor
The tabled Tortoise won the race over
the fieet-footed hare by continued eff
fort. 1t is truthfully said:
1.-The heights by great men, reached
and kept,
Were not attained by sudden fight;
But they, while their companions
slept,
Were toiling upward in the night"
Whatsoever your hands find to do,
do it with your might" is a scriptu-
raj injunction-and now, as we are
met for the purpose of considering
the state of our order in this jurisdic-
ton, and for the further purpose of
making such suggestions as will, in
our opinion, make our organization
more enduring and prosperous let
us work with our might. Work har-
acknowledgements with a view to ulti-
mate victory for our cause. If we
have done wrong heretofore, let us
correct the error: if we have come
short of our duty in the past, let us
strive to regain the lost path +; and let
us all remember, in this work, and in
this cause, as in other things, wake
fulneSs and watchfulneSs is essential
to success. If we are in earnes.-if
we have the good of the order at hea".,
if we can lay aside selfish motives,
personal promotion and preferment,
and resolve as did the Patriots of '76,
that ''live or die, sink or SWIM" this
cause shall live and prosper in this
State; success will ultimately crown
our efforts. Lethargy and inaction
will soon disappear in our Subordl-
nate oranges. Whatever difficulties
now stand in our way, will be over
come. Hence, we have only to put
into this work the energy, spirit, Wig
or and resolution we would bring to
bear upon any other undertaking or
project we would carry to success
full conclusion.
On the other hand, if discord, jeal-
ousy and rivalry take the place of
sound discretion and prudence among
ourselves and in the sub. oranges, oul
order will sicken and die. Ihave too
much confidence in the wisdom and
sagacity of the Patrons of this State,
however, to suppose for a moment
that any other than honest motives
will ever influence us in our actions
or deliberations.
The point we have now reached is
critical one in our history. A ma
iority Of the counties in this State are
fully organized-our industries are
all greatly depressed, and it will re-
quire vigilance and determination on
our part to keep our subordinate
oranges together. The cloud is be-
ginning to break, and a better time is
in the near future-stand firm little
longer and all will be safe. Put ON
some of that courage that the noble
boy had, who, in obedience to his IA
theirs command, would not desert his
post, although the ship was wrapped
in flames.
Looking forward, as | do with hope,
to the early revival of business, | have
not suspended delinquent oranges !;
believing that ii let alone, many will
in a short time pay up their quarter
ly dues.
We have not attained our present
numbers and strength by Sudden
flight )" slowly, but surely, has the
work been done. To keep what we
lave got, and to add to cur numbers,
will require our earnest and untiring
effort, and | desire, in the admiuis-
tration of my office, to temper the
hard times by indulging as much as
possible, weak but striving oranges.
AS one of the means in sustaining
our organization and to give it addi-
tional strength, | will again urge you
to secure the circulation of a home
paper among our people. So conf
dent have | been that such paper
would be a source of strength to our
order, that | was induced, by the aid
of our Secretary, to secure the publ
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