The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-11-08
WHAT HAS THE GRANGE DONE?


STATE GRANGE.
Having a dozen or more letters upon
this subject now before us, we will answer
by reproducing in part what we said over
two years ago.
We have no fears or timidity in letting the
world know what the Grange has done.
The question has a two-fold meaning.
The proper Interpretation would be to gain
information to learn the true facts of what
has been accomplished by the organiza-
ton. But the intention of the question,
generally, is to convey the answer in the
inquiry by carrying the idea to the mind
of the person inq uired of, that the Grange
has really accomplished but little, if any
thing, of use or value, and sometimes the
inquirer answers the question by saying
the Grange has done nothing. The main
object of the question, generally, is to mis-
represent the true facts in the case, and
we regret to say that occasionally an hon
est member is misled by the latter mean
ing of the question.
But what has the Grange done? 1t
has, by the introduction and cultivation OF
its social feature, removed isolation from
the members; it has taught them the er-
ror of selfshness and the misfortune of
living detached from their fellow beings,
and they now fully realize that their in
terests are identical with their neighbors.
The cultivation and practice of this fea
ture has harmonized the selfish sectional
feelings and the wide differences of polit-
ical opinions to much milder, more con
servative and more reasonable conclusions.
Old differences are passing away and will
soon be forgotten. Friendship and broth
erly love have taken the place of hate and
contention Many former troubles and
difficulties are compromised and superse-
ded by feelings of fraternal friendship.
| Troubles and animosities, that would have
been harhored and entertained in the bo-
SONS of individuals, and carried with them
all through life unto the very verge of the
grave, wiling to meet them again before
! the Judge of the universe at the time OF
rendering an account of their stewardship
have been reconciled, dismissed and bu-
ried in oblivion by the social teachings of
the Grange 1t has made acquaintance
! out of strangers, friends out of sworn enc
mics; it has reconciled many troubles and
difficulties that never would have been
reconciled; it has brought peace and hap
piness out of confusion, order out OF chaos.
| This feature has established feeling OF
fraternal friendship among farmers that
is not only accomplishing great good
among members, but its benign teaching
has spread in every direction until its in
fuence is felt for good all over the land.
This is a part of what the Grange has
done.
Education being a prominent feature OF
the organization, it has taught members to
fully realize that an agricultural education
is essential to successful farming. Hence
we do much more reading, deeper think
ing, closer studying, employing various
, means tending to improve and elevate Us
, as a class Members are educating them
selves to better understand the laws O
supply and demand They have Learned
the cost of manufacturing many OF then
: supplies, and are thereby enabled to pur
: chase more intelligently. They have learn
ed how to abandon the credit custom
and have substituted the cash system
They have learned, too, that the larges
profits on farm products are made be
:. tween the producer and consumer, an
= they are now learning how to save an
i share this profit between the two, t
- whom it of right belongs. By this Grang
education mem bers are learning better an
more successful methods in the cultivatio
of their farms, making them more pre-
: ductive; the best and most profitable CROP
TO grow; the best stock to raise; the be-
8 way to prepare and dispose of the surpl,
al products; the best and most economic
is way of obtaining our supplies more
rectIy from manufacturers and wholsa