The comet., 1879-12-20
BY A COPIAH GRANGER.



speak of the present Grange Asso
citation and its apparent defects of 4
prospective Grange Association; and
of its results, especially upon Southern
agriculture, in connection with the
exodus of negro labor.
1t is certainly evident to all men,
within and without the order, that the
Grange, under its present organiza-
ton, is, at least with Southern farm
ers, losing something of its vigorous
vitality, and hence, if not advancing,
decaying. Five years ago it grew with
rapidity unparalleled, and in its
march through the States was as ir-
resistible as the air. Itpenetrated all
places. No upheaval of the people of
this country ever equaled it. But even
now it has ceased to move forward ;
and if stationary, in danger at least of
as rapid decay. 1t is law of nature
that sappy, forced growth, is gener-
ally immature, and most sensitive to
the least chilling influences. What
causes, then, can be assigned for the
present inefficiency of the Grange-if
that word is not too strong-at least,
why does it stand still?
The history of man, although there
may be a thousand avenues through
which the theme can be pursued, is
summed up in a few words-in the
struggles, periodically fearful, of
the ruled against the rulers; of
capital against labor; in the con-
trolling desire of the rich to be
richer; and of the poor to pro-
tect themselves against the tyranny
of wealth. Hence, in all ages, since
men have located themselves in set
tied governments, have sprung into
existence societary organizations for
the advancement of peculiar indus
tries, and for mutual aid and protec-
tion. And these powerful adjuncts of
advanced civilization, are the mere
outgrowth of that natural desire i'll
man for human fellowship, which de-
velops always rapidly as he advances
in his progress from the nomadic and
solitary life of barbarism, into settled
communities until now these organi-
cations have become, in the civilized
world, the motor of scientific pursuits,
no less than labor the lever by which
utilizes wealth, and stoli-
dity subsistence. The Grange was the
result of this desire and predisposition;
founded ostensibly for the advance
ment and protection of American ag-
riculture, and owing to the fact of the
depression of the agricultural inter-
ests everywhere in this country, and of
its utter neglect by the Government,
it grew at once into an enormous, and
It is to be apprehended, an unwieldy
having within itself the
germs of slow but certain disintegra-
ion. The great misfortune of the
trange movement was the feeling
everywhere engendered, that the as
ISOLATION would make war on other
Industries and other occupations; and
while it is true that neither the con-
of the order, its secret ritual,
lor It's intelligence taught its members
o organize in opposition to other
means employed by men for the pos
ession of wealth, it nevertheless some
low went out to all the world, that the
irange, with its great power in the
North and West, had thrown down
he gage of battle to all interests of
ociety that did not bow to its behests.
t was preached from the housetops,
nd often by its unthinking and mill ,
ant members, that the Grange was ,
ne especial enemy of the mercantile {
lterests, and would endeavor to con- j
rol State Legislatures against the or s
anized transportation companies Of l
ne country; that it was not an as I
Dciation primarily for the introduce
on of new and improved methods of I
,rming, and for the especial advance ,
lent of the great agricultural inter I
SITS of the republic; that it did not
,Ok to other industries for any sup ,
ort or encouragement; that it was {
OF for the purpose of teaching how to t
evel0p the industry of its own MEM ,
ers, but how to envelop with its power G
nd numbers and so to crush other !
leans of human industry supposed =
} be oppressive to agriculture. This
lostly by its enemies, it is true; but
was fatal to the Grange. You can
OF put the industries i'll seeming an
IgOnism, if you wish success and adj
ancement in any. The good Of one
suits in the bettering of another, and
le success of both is the good of all.
Then all other industries are most
agriculture will necessar- =
V flourish most. And it is no dis
or condemnation of soci-
airy organizations for the betteringo of
dividual industries, that the Grange :.
IS so soon retired before the mirthful \
,plause of its friends, and the denun =
ations of its enemies, and has lost
mewhat of its hold upon the con- =,
lence of the agriculturists ; and that :
is may be proven, let us look at what \
rtainly may be termed the inherent u
fects of the Grange organization. IL
The American mind is naturally :
lifting into national or centralized :
ca since the war, in the political or n
and unhappily so for the h
of individual and State =
,erty; and this idea is now too apt 4
run into those organizations where
is not only not useful, but essen Il
lily harmful. This is especially OBJ -
rvable in the Grange, and its ma
nal character is its great defect
at is, the farmers of Maine and the