The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-03
Address Of Hon, Ebenezer Ayres, State Lee
turer of the State Grange, p. Of n.
delivered at the recent meeting
~ <ha C<a%o Hrao~a ia

tHe1 OF Ine otato Atdnges =. OF n.
delivered at the recent meeting
ofthe State Grange in
Minneapolis.
What is the great predominant want
OF all the wants Of the Minnesota Farm
ers?
Is it to know the chemical analysis #
our soils?
Is it to lie instructed on what soils to
plant corn9 To-sow wheat? Or to plant
or sow any of thetvaried products of our
State? Is it to learn to break the orig
inal prairie-to pulverize the clod-to
learn the quantity OF seed; the time to
scatter it?
Are you failing from lack Of know
ledge, to produce the proper quantum
per, acre? Your large and overfiowing
granaries sufficiently answer that ques.
ton. Do you need special instruction
in authorizing, or omithology has
been suggested in highquarters-or in
any oiher of the many learned ologies?
do not claim 20 be wiser thanmy fellow
farmers; but for myself DO not feel any
special need of such instruction, aside
from the mental amusement that NAV
be derived from halt hours rea aiding
upon those subjects on some rainy day.
| ask again what is the information
that the Minnesota Patron is most desir-
Gus OF obtaining? OF what does he most
desires to hear? | answer that which
most affects his material interests
1st He wants to know, when, and
how, to dispose of his redundants prod
ucts, to the best advantage.
ID How nd xvhoro IN ind tho cbaa,~
est market in which to supply his press
ing wants, out OF what has been lett him
by the greedy spectators.
Sd He wants to know by what legiti-
mate means he can lift the burden at
taxation, laid 80 largely upon his should
ers: to the end that the laws may be
equalized, and as Jefferson said that "la-
Dor might be lightly burdened."
These are paramount to every other
material consideration. 1 know of but
two remedies.
lst Association for information and
cooperation.
2. Political Action.
AS 4 Palron, am Il politician. Not
politician in an odious sense-not as a
Patron, trying to build and strengthen.
any Of the old Evolutionary parties of the
past. Perhaps | might further say,
advocate that what is polite and eco
nomic-,hat which pertains to our mate
terial interests-ihat effects our rights as
. class and calling. Some fear that the
Grange may become political. In my
early youth there sprang up political
party. that made war upon one of the
oldest institutions OF the world An in
stitution that had withstood for unknown
centuries the shock of revolutions, and
the rise and fall OF dynasties. Purity OF
character. emminence in learning and
ability. prominence as citizens, or patri-
otto devotion to country, were no pro-
lection to its members, against the tan
atical, and uncharitable assaults of its
opponents. The ban Of prescription
was put upon every individual member
of the order. They were to be preclud-
ed from any political position of honor OF
profit.
If there is An Order, in the world that
is not political. il is that of Masonry.
No candidate for public Office is omina-
ted within its secluded lwalls-no partv's
claims are advocated or denounced. Bot
what political action did the assa;led in
| stitution take? Did they vote tor their
oPponeutss They went to the polls. and
like consistent men voluntarily intuitive-
y. and unanimously voted against their
opponents; and many other good men
co-operated with them. The union of
their assailanss. had united them. and
they acted together for self protection.
Can you learn lesson from the pasta
| To have your opponents respect You
you must make them fear YOU, for fear
is the only remedy that will efectually
operate on the selfish. the uncharitable,
the inscriptions Make your power
| felt
| Summers great argument in favor of
extending the ballot to the freedmen vas
that they might protect themselves.
BFoehsrs, you have the ballot, - 4 Tor
~ sa0s Puposs. Let Ne ~ yua, ars
- = 49, = y0E eFRsnsnne Arc