The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-08-30
AN FCC AY

2a.Hs,Tsj AN ESSAY
READ BEFORE FRANKLIN GRANGE, 74o,
COOPER CO., MO-, BY DR.. J. R. LEWIS.
Worthy Master, Brotkeys and Sisters. [
believe it is generally acknowledged that
/ the farmer is not competent to occupy any
high position, intellectually or politically;
and when we want President, United
States Senator, Congressman or Governor,
we do not look among the farmers to
supply our want but we rather look
among the capitalists, professional men,
merchants, and among every other class,
except the one that would be likely to
stand up for the rights of the farmer. We
al e in the habit of thinking that the farmer
is not fit to fill any Office higher than that
of squire or constable, and just SO long as
we think in this way just SO long will the
farmer be looked on with contempt 1t is
not necessary for me to take much time
in proving that the farmer is capable of
occupying high places of honor and re-
| spectahility, because we have had the
highest offices within the gift of the
American people filled by men from the
ranks of the farmer. AS example, I will
only name two, as follows: George
| Washington, first President of the United
| States, and Charles Hardin, Elk Governor
of the State of Missouri. | could give you
an hundred other examples, but it is I'M
! necessary at this time. For arguments sake
we viii suppose the farmer not capable
of filling any place of honor or trust, and
then | will ask in the name of common
sense, what can he gain by remaining in
| the state of lethargy? Nothing of any
value has eyer been gained in this way.
Cause and effect are always equal, and the
Grange will be likely to succeed, just in
proportion to the degree of energy with
WHICH its work is pushed forward.
You may look at any great enterprise
that ever was undertaken by men, and
you will see at a glance what it took to
make it success. 1t took time, talent and
money. The steamboat, railroad, tele-
graph, telephone, or the bridge across the
Mississippi River at St. Louis, cost mil
lions Of dollars and many human lives
We might sPeakk Of pnr little iron bridge
across BlaekWafer at fhs moHth of Fish
er's branch, it cost Cooper county $4,000;
and | do not think that the cost of the
great Pacific Railroad from St. Louis to
San Francisco could be calculated. Think
for one moment, if you please, what the
independence of this great nation cost
Think of the precious lives that were free
ly laid down that succeeding generations
might enjoy the glorious privileges of free
dom. stsaMRoats, railroads, telegraphs,
bridges, and even wars and glarlQHs con-
quests,are of no more consequence to good
Patrons of Husbandry than the success of
the Grange.
Now we see that we must use means
adequate to the object to he attained.
Brothers and Sisters, this is the grandest
enterprise the farmers ever embarked in,
and we ought to be willing to make noble
sacrifices for its success. Some will doubt
less say, what must we do? | answer,
come to your Grange meetings. Be at
your post ready and willing to aid in the
councils and deliberations Of your Grange.
The question has beer asked thousands
of times. what is the Grange aiming to
accomplish? I will not undertake to an
swer the question specially, but will sum
it up thus: The object of the Grange is to
protect and promote the agricultural in
terest, to eultivate and elevate the human
mind, and its uitimatunl the prosperity
and happiness of all. | do not believe that
any one can give specific answer to the
question, because the Grange is so Young
comparatively, that it might be properly
said to be still in embryo, and we could
no more tell in our present state of knowl-
edge everything that 1t expects to accom-
plish in the mysterious centuries to come.
than we could tell by the germ of ain acorn
how many lsay5s the grand old oak of
future years will bear. 'Fffguratiysly sneak.
ing, we are climbing great mountain,
and every step up brings to view beauti.
fun OBJECTS and landscapes unseen before.
The Grange as an organization is very
young thing, but that Class of people cali
ed farmers can boast of greater ANTIQUITY
| than any other class in the known world
The farmer has a history that runs back
to Adam, and Eve-more than six thous.
and years. When we wish the farmer
success, we think we make Charitable
: wish. There can be no selfshness abouu,
lit, because our good will is extended to the
whole human family, and it takes a big
heart to feel for the whole world. we
could not say as much for doctors. because
II we wish them success we wish eyerv.
body to be sick. We gould not saw a
much for lawyers, because if we wisl
them success We wish others to be fuss
ing and in trouble generally. We could
not say as much for merchants, because i