The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-08-15
Whafisa Grange?

The word Grange is from the French,
and primarily means a granary-beiug
derived from two Latin words Granaro
and Gero-Grain-and bring or carry
Usage, however, has extended the signi
fcation of the term, so as to cover the
whole farm with its buildings, stables
and fields, so that a grange is Il farm,
and granger another word for farmer.
We are familiar with the word in our
American history as being the name OF
the heroic LafaYettes estate in France
La Grange-a name which has hence
been transferred to many townships and
counties in the United States.
But what we specially mean by our
use of the word on the present occasion
is, an association of neghbors, men and
women, interested in the cultivation OF
the soil, met together for mutual bene-
tit. This is grange, a moral and in
tellectual, a social granary, where. each
of us may bring the good wheat OF
knowledge, of improvement and Of good
will, tanning out all chaf of error and
discord, and making ready for the great
harvest day of God.
The objects Of the Grange are, TO pro-
mote the welfare Of the tillers of the
soil in every way consistent with the
rights Of man. AS an order, our insti-
tuition, though recently, has been spec
tally successful in its movements. But
its young, vigorous life has aroused
against it, as was to be expected, VIC
lent opposition.
1. 1t is urged against the grange that
it Is a secret organization, n chroma OF
masonry. 1t is fippantly said, "It
there be any good IN 1t, let it be spread
open to the light" To this | reply that
our meetings are no more secret than
those of railroad directors, the faculty of
college, or the yestry Of even church.
There are many objects which cannot be
effected in full view of the public eye.
The seed must terminate in the seclu
sion of the earth.
All men may combine against the
farmer-shall he alone struggle single
handed against his rivals? Alas, he has
striven 10 do this too long. Does he
make a crop and bring it to market, it is
classified, sampled. subjected to restric-
tons and abolished by combinations in
in which he has no voice, and finally
sold at price determined by machina-
tions of boards and chambers, rings and
corners, those whose springs are secret as
the grave itself.
2 We have been accused of hostility
to railroads. This accusation is as far as
possible from the truth. So far as in his
power the farmer is the advocate and
builder of railroads. They are needed
specially in regions where great staples
are raised to be consumed in distant por
tions of the earth.
But In SOME quarters the Grange has
found legitimate work in rectifying
abuses in railroad management. Read
the sad story of some of our leading
roads, and say whether some interfer
ence il not called for. A road is 10 be
built; smooth-yoiced pleaders 90 among
the farmers and proclaim its advantages
and the necessity OF liberal subscriptions.
The funds laid up for Fainy day, for
the security OF age, for the maintainence
of widows and orphans, school funds,
college endowmentS, sacred trusts, all
are swept In. But like the tabled cave,
n,tlla pestiqia Tetrosunl, nothing ever comes
back. Does the farmer desire to travel,
he is told, Eve have agreed TO charge
you double rates over people OF distant
regions" Is his stock slain on the very
land he has generously given, "oh' we
have agreed to pay half price tor stock:
Finally, after fortunes have been made
at which the world wonders, the men
dwelling in palaces, and having cities
called for their names, retire safely,
sheltered by mortgage bonds and receiv-
erships, and the money Of the farmer IS
gone forever.
8. But it is said the Grange is pOiiti- !
cal engine. To this We say, if it be SO,
he fault rests with those who forced it i
upon us In this State this has never
been the case. But a conjuncture might
arise here even, when It might De neees-
sary for the farmer to fight with me pal,
evils which can only pc leacn h;a
Il the ballot box. It might become ms