The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-11-28
PATRONS OF iiUSBANDRT.
Meeting cr the National Grange ut Rich
moilil, Virginia.

Meeting Of the National Grange ut Rich
mont, Virginia.
The National Gra"gc Patrons of Hus-
bandry met in twelfth annual session at
Richmond on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
The Grange opened at the hour ap-
pointed, and was called to order by the
Worthy Master, Mr.. Samuel E. Adams,
of Minnesota. The other officers were
reported as present.
\ committee on credentials reported
twenty-five States represented and pres
ent by delegates. Delegates were pres
ent from all parts of the country-irom
Oregon, in the Northwest, to Florida, in
the Southwest, and from Maine to Texas.
After small amount of routine busi-
ness DR.. j. NJ. Blanton, Master OF the
State Grange of Virginia, delivered the
address Of welcome TO the National
Grange.
The Masters report was then read. In
conclusion the following suggestions are
made:
First. This session should be as short
and inexpensive rs possible.
Second. The wisdom of this body
should be taxed to project plans for the
revival of dormant Oranges.
Third. In every proposed change of
laws, opinions, regulations, ritual, regalia
or anything else, the stability Of our Or
der should be closely consulted.
Fourth. A new book has been publish
ed and circulated at very considerable
expense, containing the Constitution and
Bylaws of the National Grange, ce-e-
monies appropriate for installation and
funeral occasions, for the dedication of
Grange halls, rules for the organization
and government of cooperative associa
tions, the declaration of purposes, di-
gest of decisions and opinions, parlia-
mentary law, &c. This will be likely to
instruct and govern our members for
long time to come, and hence the fewer
the alterations made, consistent with our
general welfare, the more reliable and
more valuable will be this compendium.
Fifth. Article XII of our Constitution
reads as follows:
Religious or political questions will
not be tolerated as subjects of discussion
in the work of the order, and no political
or religious tests for membership shall
be applied"
Every single member has dedicated
himself by solemn act to an inflexible
support OF this provision.
The pleadings of shrewd demagogues,
the towering ambition of selfish, insidi
Gus leaders in times of intense excite
ment, may create temptation to cut
loose the Grange ship from her secure
moorings, but an answering fidelity to
obligations assumed will prove an anchor
both sure and steadfast in sessions Of
cajolery and trial. Every scmblance Of
an infringement of our fundamental law
should be sedulously avoided. Fanati-
cism, political or religious, if given un-
bridled license, with torch and axe in
hand, will sooner or later seal the doom
of q society or 4 republic.
Sixth. Let the doctrines enunciated in
the Declaration of Purposes" be regard
ed rs immovable landmarks.
Seventh. Standing, as we do to-day,
upon soil made illustrious as the "N1oth-
er Of Presidents" and sacredly holding
the ashes of him who was "first in war,
frss in peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen," let us, the representa-
tives of the agricultural classes of this
country, and the descendants of revou-
tionary sires, solemnly resolve to uphold
and maintain forever the "unity Of gov
ernment."
At night there was a reception at the
| Capitol, where Governor Holiday deliv-
cred an address of welcome, which was
responded to by Master Adams. Col.
Lamb of Norfolk, the Hon. d. P. Chase
of New Hampshire, G. w. Korner Of
Augusta, and Col. d. w. Aiken, of South
Carolina, also spoke. Col. Aiken began
by apologizing for speaking. He had
spoken so often to them, and did not
care to 60 over the same ground; not
that there was nothing to say. As the
drunken man said of the road, it was not
the length but the breadth of the subject
which appalled, him. There was so much
to say, There was nothing, next to the
Church itself, which was nobler than this
Order of Patrons. They sought the
good of their fellow-man-they sought to
elevate the farmer, and not only him, but
they made him bring his wife also; and
if there was bachelor farmer around,
he soon found q wife to enjoy the great
blessings of the order with him. The
Order Of Patrons, as had been said, was
non -partisan-non-sectarian Away up
in the SHOWS of Minnesota he was II
Patron; in sunny Florida or in his own
home he could be no more. Finding out
that he was in fair way to make one of
the best speeches of the evening, Mr..
Aiken thanked the meeting, and rather
abruptly concluded.
Grand Master Blanton, at the close Of
Mr.. Aiken's remarks, declared the meet
ting adjourned.
At the conclusion Of the exercises
Governor Holiday was introduced to a
number of the delegates and their wives.
The reception was pleasant one in
every respect, and seemed to have been
highly enjoyed by all present.