The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-12-20
MISSISSIPPI STATE GRANGE.

MISSISSIPPI STATE GRANGE.
The ninth annual session of the Missis-
sippi State Grange was held at Forest,
commencing on Tuesday, the 9th inst.
and ending Thursday night.
This session was attended by delegates
from all parts of State, except the south
eastern, where the Order has never had
much strength. The spirit iof the body
was never more earnest and enthusiastic
AS most of the professional politicians
that focked to the Grange when it was
attracting attention and its purposes not so
wei! understood have nearly all left, the
few remaining have but little influence;
in consequence, the proceedings OF this
meeting were marked by the utmost har-
mony. The delegates were mostly ola
men, who have succeeded at tarming' put
who, in their struggles through lie
against adverse circumstances and the ag
oressions of other classes, have learned the
power of organization and how essential
it is for promoting and protecting the IN
terests of their children, and they are ma
king an earnest effort in the Grange to
prepare a better way for those who are
to come after them. These thoughtfu'
patriotic men know that the Grange is the
best and the only organization ever de-
vised to promote and protect the interests
of the farmers, the only one over which
farmers themselves can exercise full con-
J. "a or1d hat
they must maintain it at every hazard and
make it thoroughly efficient IN every de-
partment 1t was such men as these, ami
mated by such thoughts, aspirations and
hopes, that came together at this meeting,
and who engaged in the work of the ses-
sion with devotion, an earnestness and
enthusiasm that will be seen and felt in
every Subordinate Grange in the State.
It was remarked by some of the older
members that the feeling display ed at this
meeting was admirable, and indicated
more far-reaching, effective work than
has been accomplished BY any former
session. Each delegate was fully impress
ed with the importance and necessity of
adopting measures to revive interest in the
Order among the farmers, and to induce
the thoughtless and negligent to come for
ward and enlist under the Grange banner
with those who have worked SO earnestly
and faithfully to protect the agricultural
cIaoe from the tyranny and rapacity of
other classes that have become powerful
through organization, and to elevate them
IN all the relations of life. The measures
adopted for these great ends will appear
IN the proceedings, which will r>-;,,'
in our next issue. In our opinion, the most
practical, and what will prove the most
effectual, measure adopted, was that tc
place Worthy Master Darden on active
service during the coming year. He will
canvass the State thoroughly. We regard
the Worthy Master as one of our ablest
most earnest and boldest leaders; he is
one of our most forcible and eloquent
public speakers, and in his canvass of the
State next year he will sow the seeds of Z
glorious victory, and, if we mistake no
the spirit of the farmers of Mississippi
the fires of popular enthusiasm will blaz.
brightly in his path. His speeches at thi
session, and he was called out on severa
occasions, produced an elevating effect
for they were addressed to both the heart
and minds of the delegates, and gave as
surance that the farmers of Mississippi
have at the head of their organization
statesman and a patriot worthy to lead OF
any field and in whom they may safeI
con6de
There were present at this meeting sew
eral who were among the first to engag
in the cause, many from remote parts O
the State, and all of whom enjoy the con
tidence and esteem of their people, The,
have learned the value of the Grange, an,
are determined to maintain its integrity
cost what it may. All, both old and new
members, seemed impressed with the ide
that the Grange in Mississippi is abou
entering upon new career of prosperit
and usefulness; that there is to be a grea
and general revival, and this belief, AM
the necessity for maintaining an organiza
ton, animated them in all their work, AM
prompted them to a concert of action,
lofty patriotism in their deliberations, tina
will make the influence of this meetin,
more direct and far reaching than that Q
any meeting ever held in the State
The next annual session of the Missis
sippi State Grange will be held at Brook
haven.