The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-17

the manufacturer, but 10 bring him an,
the producer closer together; to diminisl
excessive profits and exorbitant charges
to give, but also to take; to live, while i
lets live.
Ii is an educational institution, also
The assembling of farmers together 70
conference, mutual advice and common
effort; evoking the exercise of their highes
powers Of thought, the friction Of min,
against mind; the comparison of views ant
experiences; the formation and maturin!
Of Judgments; the exercise of speech in th,
sessions of the Grange;-these are all help
to education-to "the drawing out" of th,
man. The order, too, is pledged to tn,
advancement of agricultural education
and it regards the avocation Of an enlight
eued, educated farmer, as the noblest giveI
the sons Of men on the face of the earth
Influences such as | have named, sur
rounding the farmer and the farmers son
give occupation for thought, and hands
and time. The spirit Of generous emula
tion becomes aroused on every side, when
the full, free and uninterrupted influence
Of the Grange for good is felt; and doubt
less w. Master Moore could tell, if b,
would, Of neighborhoods which have beer
almost reyolutionized by the workings o
an animated and well directed Grange
Two points against which objections arr
sometimes urged by those unacquainteC
with the operations Of the Grange are the
admission to membership of woman, anC
the feature Of secrecy
The sneer about strong minded womer
is entirely misapplied when directed to thil
order. There is nothing more unwoma n
ly or immodest in her assumption of off
ces in the Grange than there is in hel
taking part in the management of Sun
day School. Her very participation il
the exercises gives assurance that unworthy
persons have no partthere. Her positions
are such as tend to add dignity and beau
ty to the effective working of the order
and her influence softens and blesses
while her spirit animatcs and cheers
The secrecy Of the order is partly pre-
eautionary, and partly symbolic. No bus
iness organization, where the individua
interest Of its members are involved, could
be conducted outofdoors. Besides thi.
it is a sign Of union and community oi
sentiment, These people have somethin,
which those outside do not possess-that
is a bond Of fraternity. There is no oatl
Of fidelity to the order The obligation is
one which any honest man or delicate
woman can conscientiously assume. 1t
conflicts with no religious, moral, social OF
political duties. 1t is so unobjectionabl,
that those two great religious bodies, no
ted for their objection to secret societies
the Church Of Rome and the Society o.
Friends, do not consider this one included
in their expressed prohibitions ofthem.
| recently heard one of the most intel
ligent and thoroughly educated farmers Of
our State, say in public address, that GU
farmers reminded him of the old fable oi
the Discontinued Pendulum The pen
dulum which had for so many years slowll
but regularly swung to and fro in th,
clock in the farmers kitchen, grew tired
and dissatisfied. The hands, it said, ar,
always on the move, ever changing theil
position the figures on the dial see every
thing that is going on in the bright worlt
outside; but II only get glimpse at i
as swing past the little hole in the darI
box where | have swayed so long, and
am so sick and tired Of it that for my part
I'll stop. Aud so it did. The next morn
ing, when the farmer came down, every
thing was belated. The maids were be.
hind with the fires; the men had not had
their breakfasts; the teams were not fed
and everything was in confusion Inquiry
Of course, soon discovered the cause; and
being upbraided, the pendulum told The
story Of its discomfort 1t was of little
use; no responsibility rested on Il; Il NOV.
cd in one and the same arc all the time
But said the farmer, see how in stopping
yourself, you have stopped everything else
So with the farmers. All depends al
last on them. Agriculture furnishes the
streams which drives the wheels of com.
merce aud of manufactures, and as it de.
clines, they decline with it. The busy
mart, the busting factory, the noisy mill
the snow-white sails dotting every sea, the
speed of the iron horse, all, all depend, at
last, on the sturdy arm Of the farmer. 1t
is not well, then, for him to be disconten.
ted or laggart.
Do you, farmers of Carroll, with the
magnificent agricultural capacity of your
county, third in area and third iu produc-
tiyeness in our State, do you remain dis
contented, or are you laggart in any good
work? Is it a source of repining with
you that the bottom rail is on top? Do
you complain of dull times and the hard.
ships Of the farmers calling? If SO, we
have shown you a way of escape.
This movement to which we point is not
ephemcral. Its foundations are based on
the everlasting principles of right and jus.
tioei and to you, as intelligent tillers Of
the soil ,--''the noblest, the most honorable
and the most useful occupation of man. y
we commend it, satisfied you will find it
is working for your welfare and for the
good ofthe cause Ofagricultute everywhere.