Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-12-16
Secrecy of the Grange.

secrecy OF the orange.
The Order of Patrons of Hu.band-
~ claims TO be a secret society; but
when narrowed down to what it really
is, we find the secrecy to consist
mainly in certain tokens, signs or
passwords, whereby one member may
recognize another, and by which, or
the absence of which, an imposter
may be detected who would enter the
Grange hall. It makes no conceal
,nsnt of i-s aims and purposes. 1t
declares distinctly with what ques-
tions it will have nothing to do. 1t
pledges itself in support of the prin-
ciples of morality that underlie hu-
man progress and mans good. 1t is
exclusive enough to be composed of
the farming class and directly con-
cerned in the farmers interests.
These interests are precisely those of
any other class. That cooperative
effort is an efficient agent to protect
or advance these interests is no longer
O problem. 1t forms one of the
phases of the present age.
Other classes understand the power
it gives, and are not slow to avail
themselves of it. The miners, cris-
pins, railroad engineers, printers,
physicians, lawyers and merchants,
each form their guilds or cooperative
societies having for their object class
interest. These social organizations
are in measure the index of progress
in civilization and refinement. Where
every one must make his Way, de-
pending solely on his own arm or his
own wits, the issue becomes necessa-
rily o struggle for life, und the
weakest 60 under. The farmer has
been the last to see it. No one ques-
tions his right to do SO; some even
believe that in promoting his own
success he thereby promotes the in
terest of other classes; but strangely
enough the society of the Grange has
aroused spirit of opposition and un-
generous comment hardly credtable
to the spirit of the age. We can
only account for this ON the supposi-
ton that it pre-supposes hostility to
other interests. There is needed no
stronger proof of the necessity for an
organization among farmers to guard
their own interests than this suspicion
and captious criticism. Many good
men object to its secrecy-ursing
that true life needs no concealment.
True enough; but the farmers clubs,
having for their object precisely the
same as the Patrons of Husbandry.
have not, except in two or three cases,
maintained an organization longer
than year.
Farmers clubs are open to all.
Politics and religious dosmas are
early made the leading stock in trade,
and some political fedgling finds it a
fit theater to expatiate, and your far
mers' club soon presents o beggarly
account of empty boxes. Illinois
swarmed with farmers clubs; but one
now lives to tell the tale. Any SIM
pleton may see that the admittance
of o political aspirant is the signal of
dissolution. No more efficient means
can be devised to keep a society pro-
tected from disagreeable, unworthy or
designing members than black ball
and a shibboleth." The over wise
may stand aloof and moralize, but
unfortunately for their theories. they
themselves mystify triAes and put
their own lives under paddock quite as
much as others do. In a republic no
necessity can exist for secret politi-
cal organization and the popular sen.
timent will hardly tolerate it; but the
character of the men who compose
an order organized in their own pleas
ure or interests. gives sufficient guar
anty that no legitimate interest of
others will be infringed.-Urbana
Ohio Gazette.