Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-08-02
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
THE TRUE MISSION OF THE GRANGE.
[Concluded from last week.

itOHcIudI4 from lihL week. -
3. The Grange is not in any true sense
u political institution. We neither inquire
nor interfere with any politics. 1t is true
that wary1oiiticians have Oh several occa-
sions used us to further their own interests,
and many Of our brethren walked blindly
into their party traps, bat our declaration
of purpost. specifically cuts us adritt from
party politics. and. only %enjoins upon every
Fat,ont to cndcavor to purify" the party
to which lie belongs. And we have pnrl-
tied parties to IN extent never dreamed OF
before. 4 The present pacitication of our
countryside calming down of the mad pas
sions left by the war, and the return OF fra
ternal feelings began at the meeting OF the
National Grange at Charleston, andhas now
eliminated in the beginning of All era of good
feeling and prosperity. stthtti7 fr5 af,Ja
The positive mission of the grange is very
fairly set forth in that unique production,
entitled "Declaration OF Purposes" which Ill
the tersencss and vigor of its good old Saxon
English, and the clearness with which it
points out the needs, dangers and power for
mutual good of the agricultural class when
combined in buying together, selling togeth-
err and working together for the greatest
good to the greatest number-is equalcd on
ly by the Declaration OF American Indepen-
dcncc. A bugle call of warning is sounded
to the farmers themselves, TO avoid the
uuicksands that wreck so many fortunes
:. the credit system and the mortgage sys-
temp A like warning is given to keep pol
itics out OF tile Grange TO elevate the CALI
ing Of the farmer is the grand central point
of the whole construction; to educate him
In his rights, duties and privileges; TO give
him Just views of the nobility of the occupa-
ton which seems to have been instituted by
the fiat of the great Omnipotent, Is that man
should earn his bread by the sweat Of his
brow; y to make him a thinker, and no
longer only n ''hewer of wood and drawer
of water" looking to some village oracle
for all his ideas. 49,
1t Is hard to estimate the incalculable ben
etits of the social feature of the grange.
How grand an idea 1t is to bring together
NIL the men and women of the neighborhoOd,
many of whom have been estranged by po-
litical or religious disputes, or from other
causes, and get them to mingle in perfect
friendship and accord and talk about only
those things which are common ground and
upon which all agree! All other difference
laid aside here, our farmers and their wives
find that their interests are exactly the same
and above all, ''peacc ON earth and good
will among men" is Il priceless blessing.
The pleasant summer picnics among the
Oranges from Maine to Georgia have done
much "to make brethren dwell together III
unity" and given many an added pleasure
to life among the young and old. The
moral tone of country society is also vastly
improved by our teachings and practices.
Even at large public 6 range meetings drunk
cnness and Drawings are almost unheard
of, and the quiet influence brought to bear
upon young people just emerging into the
dangers of life are very powerful for good.
But one of the most beneticent purposes
of the Grange Is least understood aud ap-
preciated by those outside the gate. While
the Grange ought to take no part whatever
in party politics, yet the purifying effect Of
our teachings on every party is calculated
to elevate them up to n standard Of excel
leuce heretofore unattained in this genera
ton, and the effects of which arc already