Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-07-12
THE GRANGE.

much Of tho interest they onco felt in the Order
Of the Patrons Of IIusbandry. In fact, with
the exception Of q fcw Oranges, the Order ex-
lists only in namo among US. We arc sorry to
see this Indifference on the part Of farmers to
an organization which, properly used is calcu-
lated to do so much good to tho agricultural
interests of the State md County. Agriculture
is tho foundation and support Of every profess
sion and avocation in life and is the great source
Of tho wealth and prosperity of our State.
Whatever, therefore, tcnds to advance agricul.
turc, whether by promoting tho social, intel
lectu,l or financial condition Of the farmers, is
worthy of tho patronage Of every good citizen.
The Grange has specially for its object tho i'm
provcmcnt Of the social aud intellectual condi.
tion OF the farmers of the country by bringing
them together at stated periods and discussing
and interchanging viows upon the various
branches of agriculture, stock raising, tho bcst
variety Of seeds, 81. There is nothing which
tends moro to expand the mind and improve the
understanding than discussion With farmers
this may be plain narration of facts connece ed
with tho growth and tillage of some product of
tho farm, but as matter Of experience it is
valuable and instructive to ALL Meetings Of
the farmers, who have by occupation unity Of
Interest and pursuit, produce q unity Of feeling
and action in nll that concerns the true interests
of the class, at the samo time that feeling of
friendship and social enjoyment arc cngendered
between tho husbandmen and niatrons of each
neighborhood Each learn muc from tho
other, and caoh is stimulated with desire to
Improve in the various branches of duty in
order to exccl'thcir neighbors. This generous
riYnlry wOninrful1u - (,
farm, and the peace, prosperity and social caste
OF the reighborhood arc at q premium.
The Order is farther calculated to benefit its
members financially by concert of action and
corporation in buying and selling. The mcm--
bors OF Grange can unite and through their
Master order their leading supplies in bulk, thus
getting them Mt wholesale prices and dividing
them according to their interests, or they may
arrange with local merchant, which is better
to buy all their supplies from him for cash and
Mt low stipulated profit. It is manifest to
every business man that merchant, to secure
large cash trade, can and will sell at small
profits to the benefit OF himself and the farmers
alike. In rich and populous sections co-opera-
1.-Two or Grange stores are established with an
agent who receives only stipulated per ccntage
On sales. In apoor and thinly sottleI county
like ours q Grange store would not succeed,
though our people might arrange to doal with
tho Grange store at Anderson to their benefit
Either OF the two other plans are open 10 our
people and can be successfully worked to tho
benefit financially of the farming class.
There can be no question to thinking mind
but the great object Of tho Grange is to improve
tho social and intellectual, and incidentally, tho
financial condition Of tho farmers, and there can
be no question but with proper use Of tho
Order this important object can and will be
effectuatsd
Why have not Changers received these Bono
fits? They have and still do in those sections
where they take an interest in the Order and
use its agencies for their benefit. No man can
learn by simply attending school, nor will grass
die et tho sight Of o hoe or plow carried on tho
shoulder of laborcr through the field. TO get
benefit from school tho person must apply his
mind and energies to his studies, and to kill
grass the hoe and pow must be used for their pro-
por purpose. No organization--social, moral,
intellectual or reiglous-can benefit its NOM
bers unless they use its powers and agencies as
they werc designed TO be employed.
fow individuals in this County have used
the Grange in making their purchases Of leading
supplies for several years. and have derived
great pccuniary benefit from it.. Tho great
bulk Of the farmers, however, have contented
themselves with joining tho Ordor, and by not
using its agencies, failing to get Immediate
benefits, they have lost all interest and fallen
back into the old groove Of lien and credit,
annually excmplifying tho system Of living from
hand to mouth. This should not bo. 1t is true
tho Order promises and will afford pecuniary
benefits to all who properly avail themselves Of
its privileges,and agencies. and these pecy,nary
benefits area'lsind Of cement to bind oil Glasses
OF farmers othe Order; but the Granger should
rot forget'that the highest and noblest benefits
OF the Order are tho social and intellectual i'm
provementit proposes and is SO we'll calculated
10 effect tin'aaodmmunity. Through the Grange
all important questions affecting the interests Of
farmers can be discussed and unity Of opinion
and action arrived at. What legislation Is
needed to further the agricultural interests. OF
the State can be considered and carried out, and
every vital interest be secured to this great body
OF the people. The Grange makes tile farmera
OF tho State an irresistible body In power and
Influence for good in legislation, In morals,'ir
I sauoation and Ia social development. Will they
use it and benefit themselves end tie State? Z Ol
will they: representing the great body Of tht
people lilo ilIe wealth Of the State, The