The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-11-29
THE POWER OF ORGANIZATION

THE POWER OF ORGANIZATION.
Why do farmers and their families come
together in the Grange? Do they apend
time and money thus, simply that they
may have this opportunity to meet their
neigbors, inquire after their health, and
pass away the time? The Declaration of
Purposes says, "to develop higher man
hood and womanhood among ourselves"
But what is to be done after getting into
the Grange to attain to this higher man
hood and womanhood? Is it not a marvel
that farmers who make the glory and
greatness of the land, who constitute the
mainstay of national strength and pros
perity, should allow themselves to be set
aside and through their own indifference
dwarfed into insignifCanCe by those
whose interests are as much dependent on
them, as the infant in its mothers arms?
A portion of the farmers in the country
recognizing the fact that like other classes
they should be organized, have associated
themselves together in the Grange and
many seem to feel that their work is ac-
complished as soon as they are inside of
the gates, and, that as soon as Grange
has acquired members, the end is secured.
But it is just at this point that the work
which called them together begins,-the
work of elevating and educating the far
ming community. These farmers meet
ings are called organizations, but where
are the works that prove them such:
Organization means bringing together
all the parts so that they may be used as
whole. If the leading minds of Grange
can control and direct the combined efforts
and energies of its members to the accom-
plishment of any financial or educational
purpose, progress and the fruits of organ
ization may certainly be expected. There
is a large moral and intellectual force in
every Grange that should be disciplined
and made use of for the advancement and
elevation of its members. Let Grange
determine what its needs are and then
bring its whole power to bear on these
points one after another, until the desired
end is accomplished.
If the Patrons Mutual Aid Society is
thought to be worthy feature, let it be
a worthy feature, let it be investigated and
discussed and if found fully deserving of
encouragement and support, every officer
and every leading member of the Geange
should feel themselves called upon to see
that every faculty of the Grange is brought
out and made to be Of service in procur-
ing the success of this institution, and
when this is accomplished it will be found
that the success already achieved strength
ems them for other work.
When Grange engaged in the prose-
cution of educational purposes, finds itself
in need of library they will find they are
amply able to have one if the Grange is SO
organized that it wills it. The first prac
teal effort in any such undertaking is the
important step that gives hope and makes
wayfo those who are undecided and
doubling. If no beginning be made no
end will be reached, and no success will
ever be attained. How. many are creep
ing along through the world who might
have prospered themselves and been use
full to others if they had acted we'll their
part instead Of putting by from day to day
their resolutions of industry and reform.
The hope of every Grange is the intelli-
gence, unity and perseverance of itsimem-
bers; it cannot afford to take ignorant,
selfish and Indifferent members unless
there is good reason for believing they
can be educated to better things
When a Grangelhas made sufficient pro-
gress it will see that enthusiasm is its first
and greatest need and that this cannot be
kept at good working pitch unless the
members are thoughtful of its interests,
and they will not and cannot be thought
full of the Grange unless they read of it.
When this fact is fully realized they will
make use Of the power of their organiza-
ton to devise means and make sure, in
some way, that every member has a good
Grange paper. In no other way can mem
bers be educated SO cheaply; and in no
other way can the enthusiasm upon which
the life of the Grange depends, be SO sure
ly rnaintained.-Dirieo RuraL.
The true Patron has no fears of the ulti-