The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-09-27
THE MEETING OF THE STATE
CIR NGF

of farmers is no longer completely alb
sorbed by their interest in politics, and as
the evenings are getting longer, they will
again turn their thonghts to the Grange.
During the noise and excitement incident
to an active political campaign the calls
of the Grange are not needed and perhaps
not even heard; but now that the dust
and smoke that the politicians have raised
is settling down, it is seen that the great
contest has lagely been a scramble for
office and that farmers interests have
not been considered or even thought of,
at all
In short time the annual meeting of
the State Grange will be announced, and
during the few weeks that entelvene be-
fore this meeting, there are several mat
ters that need thoughtful consideration
and discussion, in the Subordinate
Oranges, that representatives may be
prepared to act upon them intelligently
when they are come together. There is a
growing sentiment throughout the land
that farmers must take upon themselves
more largely the direction of public mat
ters or everything will soon be found in
the interest of the few, while the rest are
forced into bankruptcy and ruin.
We are in receipt of letters almost every
day, asking what farmers can do to save
themselves. The following is an extract
from one written by one of the thought
full farmers of Maine who has had large
experience, and large observation:
IlIink Tire 10 ftsI dio.ts.4t
when it will be expedient for the Grange
to consider in iudcious and practical
manner what their relations shall be to
"a nv
discussion and deliberation ascertain if
there is not some way to open the door
so that the farmers can act together with
more effect and better results. We want a
larger representation in our National and
State Governments, of that class OF our
population who own and TIL the soil and
so largely pay the taxes. Our farmers are
tired of issues purely in the interest of the
partisan. rejoice that there are men
who are willing to speak out boldly" --
We doubt not our correspondent is cor
rect in supposing that the Grange will al
no distant day have to define itself with
relation to political parties, but we believe
the Order of Patrons of Husbandry car
never be used as a distinctive means fol
procuring the legislation that even agri
culturists are so badly in need of. But il
does not prohibit its members from taking
an active interest in the advancement ot
true husbandry, or acting together for it,
protection by securing a fair share of rep
resentation in the State. and National gov
ernments; but this it must do independent
of the Grange. The Incompatible value
of the Grange lies in this, that it is the
training school where farmers are fitted t.
act well their part both in public and do
mestic life. .i34f
During the time Maine has been STATE
it has sent over two hundred representa-
tives to Congress, only five of whom were
| farmers. Since the advent of the Grang,
farmers have come to think, talk, ant
weigh matters for themselves, and w
shall be surprised if ere long they are no
found acting for themselves. There ar
farmers at this day who could hardly b
persuaded to believe that they would no
be as we'll represented if every membe
now in Congress from this State were al
actual farmer.-Dirigo Rural. t.1