Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-02-23
Che farm aud the Orange.
What has the Grange Done 7

We hear this question asked by those out
side the gates, and sometimes by those who
should be inside but who attend the meeting,
Of the grange so seldom that they hardly
know what the grange is doing. Now
will tell you what things it has done.
1t has organized 22O oranges in Vermont
in less than six years, with membership Of
Of over 1000. The state grange at its sec
ond session adopted resolutions recommend
ing the b.granges to settle all questions by
arbitration that require legal investigation
This recommendation alone has saved the
grangers Of the state double what the order
has cost its members, in lawyers aud court
fees alone. Another important subject, the
right of every man to the fish and game il
his waters aud on his land has been adyo-
Gated by the state grange and at the last
session of the legislature our worthy govern.
or recommended these reforms and Others
that might be named, such as the modiica.
ton Of the listing laws and the unequal tax.
alton that exists at present. Whoever heard
Of governor of Vermont advocating such
measures until the grange was organized |
tell you, brother farmers, you are not aware
Of the good already done through the instru.
mentality Of the grange. Its social features
alone are worth the entire cost, if we can es.
innate personal enjoyment in money 1t has
solved the perplexing problem of wowan's
rights by giving women equal rights with
the men in everything pertaining to the
oranges. 1t has been argued against the or.
der that its members will 60 through fire and
and water almost, especially the women, to
attend the meetings Does sensible lady
60 where there is no moral or intellectual in.
struction or harmless recreation? How pleas
ant and agreeable for the hard.working
mother or daughter TO meet their friends and
co-workers for a half day or evening for
business and social intercourse How
swiftly time flies How the happy
moments are enjoyed, and with what
renewed zeal they return to their la.
bors Of love aud duty But l hear some
honest friend reply that il the grange is the
place for so much honest enjoyment. why
have it a secret organization, why not open
wide tho doors and bid all welcome2 The
grange is family. Who of you throw open
your doors to every one who might come in I
How long would the God-given blessing OF
the family relation be continued But, says
the objector, secret societies are dangerous
institutions in free country. Let me reply
by saying that where man can be accom-.
panied by his wife, daughter or sister we
may be sure that no lessons will be taught
but those Of virtue and truth. Now, brother
farmer, you who have not as yet Joined the
grange, let me say that the grange will 60
on and prosper without your help, but more
efficiently with you. Cast in your lot with
us and help make it power for good in the
land. The hard pioneer work has been done
All that is now required is wisdom to direct
Alright the energies of the people aud we
shall see the results in better farms, better
houses, better stock, and above all better
men, better women and better children. II
is no part of the granger's duty to make
proselytes, no further than they can see for
themselves. ave ask none to Join us who
cannot see good in their fellow men, but to
all such we say, welcome to the grange"