Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-01-21
The TRANCE In Vermont.
WILLIsroN, Jan. 9th, lS7t

WILLsroN, Jan. 9th, lS76.
To the Editor of the Free Press and Times
! 1t has been often stated, and is still be-
lieyei by many in Vermont, that the Grange
was organized for and only adapted to the
wants of the Western farmers. Let me say
mere that these persons are generally of the
class that do not know neither do they care
| to inform themselves of the noble precept-
| Of our Order.
! We claim that the prosperity of a nation
Is in proportion to the value of its produc-
! ductlons. The soil Is the source from which
We derive all that constitutes wealth. OF
/ all the material gifts of the Creator the
/ various productions OF the vegetable world
are of the first Importance. The art of
! agriculture Is the parent and precursor
| of all arts; and it, products, the foundation
! of all wealth. The amount produced Will
therefore be in proportion to the intelligence
| of the producer. Hence. knowledge and
| contentment with our calling is the iounda-
/ ton of happiness.
The ultimate object Of this Order is for
mutual instruction and protection, to light
en- labor by difusing knowledge of its
aims and purposes, TO expand the mind by
! tracing the beautiful laws the great Creator
has established in the universe, and TO en-
| large our views of Creative wisdom and
| power.
History proves that general welfare can
only be secured by general effort. Unity
! Of action can only be acquired by discipline,
and discipline cannot be enforced without
! significant organization. Hence, we have
a ceremony of initiation which binds US in
mutual fraternity, which we of necessity re-
tain as the secrets of the Order, the better
to protect ourselves against that class of
| persons who, had they free access TO our
meetings, would strive TO create discord and
| contention and ultimately to destroy our
confidence in each other, which constitutes
our strength.
Our object is to ennoble farm life and
make it more attractive and desirable. We
believe there is no calling more honorable
and respectable, and know of no good
reason why We, the tillers of the soil,
as class, should be considered below that
of the professions, unless it can be proved
that We fall short of mature judgment and
substantial worth for | think it will be
generally admitted that we. as a rule, do
not depend on expensive and extravsgant
clothing for standing in society.
We realize the necessity OF more culture
and intellectual improvement. Of Kidding
ourselves of uncOrth habits and yulgarity
in our general department, and hope
through oar mutual intercourse and dis
cussi0n IN the Grange. in the company of
and under the refining influence OF the lady
members, to continue to raise the standard
OF morality, dignity, temperance, seltre-
spect and virtue, in our noble Order. We
hope to exert an influence over the young
men to spend their leisure evenings in the
orange hall, or preparing essays, or look
ing up points SO as to strengthen their
side in the debates so as better 10 fit them
selves for the great battle of life. Temper
ance Is also 4 prominent feature in our
Order. We realize the necessity of cutting
down all unnecessary expenses, paying
cash Tor our goods, and massing our trade
so as to realize as near as possible whole
sale rates. We are laboring to cut down
high rates OF interest, large salaries and
extrayagant expenses in our every day life,
as well as in national affairs We believe
that the farmers in the East can benefit by
cooperation, as well as in the West
only perhaps in another direction as octa-
sion may require.
We expect to conduct ourselves so that our
influence will be felt fog the good of the
whole country, for all depends on the pros
perity of the farmer. We believe the pres
ent system of taxation to be unfair and OPP
pressive to the farmer, compelling him to
pay taxes on land that be owes for, which
virtually belongs to the moneyed man, as
well as submitting to other matters of In
Justice. simply because we are fragment
airy community and conseq uently not in
condition to act in the defensive.
I. c. NARANoRE, Organizing Deputy.