Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-12-06
UorihY MLster, Brothers and

NO
Uorthy MlSter, Brothers and Sisters
ofMe National Grange:
AS the representative of the patrons
of New York, it gives US pleasure at
this time to tender to you most cor
dial greeting, and in their name vel.
come you to our State. Coming as you
do from all the different States in our
Union, with one mind and one purpose
in view, aud that purpose the elevation
of the producing people TO higher and
nobler manhood and womanhood, to q
purer and better social standing, to q
more dignifed and honorable position
than we have heretofore occupied it is
proper and right that we should give
you hearty and honest welcome.
We know you came here with fra
ternal feelings extended to all the differ
ent classes scattered over our whole
Union, looking not back TO the past, but
forward to the future, with the further
purpose in view OF creating a more per-
feet union of sentiment and feeling to-
ward government that should protect
all its citizens alike whether rich or
poor, and without regard &c location or
other surrounding circumstances. We
know you come here from your differ
ent States as the representatives OF the
industrial interests, and that your work
while here will be for the better pro
lection and advancement of those inter
ests, for they are the foundation upon
which our government rests, and upon
which all alike should prosper We
welcome you, Worthy Master, Brothers
and Sisters OF the National Grange at
the commencement Of this our iEclem-
ent season, with hearts warmed by SYM
patty for the industrial men and women
located in all parts of our common
country, whether on the farm, in the
forest, the workshops, the mills, or the
mines, knowing as we do that should
they cease from, active, energetic labor,
the wheels of commerce would stop,the
government would become embarrassed
and the whole country would mourn, for
panic would ensue greater than has
ever yet befallen this country.
Our government was designed and
instituted for the express purpose of
dealing out simple justice to all its citi-
zens alike, and should not be diverted
from that purpose, and would not be
but for the spirit OF party which now
prevails to such an alarming extent as
to crush out justice and equity. and by
the selfish greed of the partisans who
are entrusted with the duties of legisla-
ton, the people are robbed that they
may retain their power and the emolu-
ments of office. Great and powerful
monied corporations now control our
State and National governments, and
unless a change is efectually made, aEd
that speedily,we will all 60 down under
the enormous burdens, that are now be-
ing imposed upon US.
The noble order you represent was
none too soon in its coming, aud should
not now delay action in the right direc-
ton, for unless some sure means are de
yised for consolidating the agricultural
strength OF this country and directing it
in such channels as will break up the
partisan rule that now prevails, we need
not the spirit OF prophecy to tell us that
but few years more will pass before our
agricultural and industrial people Will
be ''hewers of wood and drawers of wa
ter only for the gigantic powers that
are now reaching out all over our fair
land, and with the tread of giants fast
crushing us out by their insatiate greed.
You come here at this time, worthy
Patrons, to counsel together ard point
out the remedy for these evils that are
now weighting US down with burdens
greater thar we can bear and prosper
And We know you come with honest
purposes, and that you will use your
best efforts in planning some remedy
that will he effective in awakening our
people up to their true interests, and in
duce them to ask our government re-
specially but earnestly TO deal out
equal and exact justice TO its citizens,
wherever located, without fear or favor
10 any one OF them. We have good
reason to feel that our great State, the
Justly termed Empire State, is honored
by the meeting here of representatives
OF oul noble order of Patrons Of Hus-
bandry, and we welcome you TO this,
che of our beautiful villages, located
upon this, one Of our picturesque lakes,
and assure you we have many other
such villages, aud many other s1ch
lakes, surrounded by enterprislng far
mers who only ask for just laws that
will not allow Determinations against
them and their business, aud that special
favors may not be granted to other
classes and other sections to their detri-
ment, bot leave all equal in the race OF
the pursuit of wealth and the common
necessities of life, when they will prove
by their industry and thrift that they
are of real value to the government aud
society, and we'll worthy of that foster
ing care and protection that is now de-
MED to them. We know we express
the sentiments of each and every one of
our Patrons and farmers when We again
say to each and every one of you, Broth
ers aud Sisters all, welcome to our
State. Welcome to our homes, and