The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-01-23
ror the EAeu.

II For the EAGLE.
i Cow SKIx, January is, 1869.
Mr.. EDITOR :-In looking over the
EAGLE seldom see any allusion to the
Patrons of Husbandry, either as a de-
funct or live body.
| Perhaps may be fanatic, or consid-
cred so by some when say that they
stin live, and the prospects are good for
those who have stood by the principles
as taught in our Order, for the Order is
gaining strength throughout the State,
having increased about one thousand in
membership during the past year. 1t is
true that our numerical strength is not
so great as it was once in this county,
but the principles, as set forth by the
National Grange, are still before US, and
no one has ever been able to bring a
successful argument against them.
Some may say, if the principles were
SO good why has the membership fallen
off? There are number of reasons
that might be given. In the first place,
it was something new and not well un-
derstOod by those it was intended to
benefit, and great many went in with
the idea that they were to receive
money, or some other direct benefit
without any further exertion on their
part, and when they found out the true
state of affairs they, of course, drOpt
of. There was another class that went
in for political purposes, and the most
Of them, being unable to achieve their
object, became disguised and left, while |
those who were successful in getting the
assistance and election to an office have, ,
witha few honorable exceptions, left
the Grange. Then there was another
class that used to attend the meetings,
who never opened their mouths but to
growl. OF course they left, saying that
the Grange amounted to nothing; but
ask them what they ever did to make it
successful and they cannot tell of any
thing.
There are a number of other reasons
that might be given did space permit.
To some it is wonder that it should be
so, but to me ii is wonderful to think
that there is body of men and women
who have put in their time and money
to keep the organization alive in this
county up to the present time, for no
cause ever had the opposition to con-
tend with that the Patrons have had.
We have been ridiculed by those who
have not understood what they were
about. Spectators and high
toned politicians have worked against
us, knowing that it was not favorable to
their schemes. Preachers are afraid to
take sides with us, and some farmers .
could not see any benefit to be derived
from the Grange, and looked ON with
out helping the cause. But am glad to I
say that the farming communities are .
looking at the subject in different ,
light, having listened to the advice of
classes that are interested in controlling
farmers and laborers throughout the
land too long, and are getting sick of
the advice to ''attend to your hogs and
hominy and we will attend to every
thing else for YOU"
That is the way business has been
lone and will be done unless there is
more unity and organization among the
farming communities. There are but
few, if any other classes that are not or
yanized to protect themselves, for it is
/ well known fact that the organized
powers control the unOrganized.
Now the Patrons of Husbandry are
IN organization that have a State .as
we'll as National organization, and
outside Of Sedgwick county it is ac-
as power in the land and
entitled to the same courtesy and re-
pect that any other body of men and
receive. The National Grange,
It its last session, in Virginia, received
communications from the Agricultural \
Department at Washington, also an i'll
'iiation to visit the President, showing
hat the Order is considered worthy of
lotice by such men as the Commission
r of Agriculture and the President of
he United States. r
Now, rs to whether an organization
S needed by the farmers, think that is
'eyond dispute. The Patrons have
allied when everything was carried out n
according to the rules aud regulations
# the Order. When cooperation has
zen carried ON according to the plan
aid down by the National Grange it
las always been successful, so that the
range presents to the farmers the on
Y feasible plan ever offered them to i'm
rove their condition financially or So
tally. There is large number of far
ners that have been with the order in =
believing the principles were
light. To all such l would say. unite
With some Grange and by so doing help
ourself as well as others. To the DOR
lant Granger would say now is the
imc to wake up and revive your Grange. [
my dormant Grange can re-organize,
lect officers, etc, without any expense
revious to the reorganization. VIM
er is the farmers time to attend to
nch things, and this opportunity to :,
tart anew should not be be lost by any
range that has ceased TO meet from
rhatever cause. Throw all jcalousies
nd trouble aside. if any had an influ-
nee in breaking down your Grange.
nd take hold of the best cause ever Of
cred you to benefit yourselves tinan- r
tally and socially. Yours,
GEO. A. WHITE. Deputy.
Sheriff's Sale.