Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-01-04


ganization, the Grange-'a rose by any
other name would smell just as sweet.
Many farmers hold themselves aloot
from the Grange meetings because, as
they imagine, they foster some sinister
design, from the fact of its formalities.
Benevolent associations have their Sc
crets, signs, grips, SC, for what pur-
poses? For Its novelty and self-protec-
ton. So with the Grange; its founders
aimed TO add novelty and new interest
to the farmers club by investing their
organization with certain signs, grips,
pass words, and clothing its members
with regalia, vet all this fails ts promp!
many farmers up to lively and unoeas-
ing interest in the grandest organization
that has ever been formed to promote
soci.., intercourse, enlarge liberality of
sentiment, brighten the Intellect and
disseminate useful information among
Their Aass. Every man aud woman's
experience in life has more or less of In
,erest in it; just as the physician, law
yer and mechanic gains knowledge from
practice, so does the farmer, and as the
press is hot piled so frequently with
their results, these meetings afford a
most pleasant channel for communica-
ting the experience Of each, This new
feature in the County Council meeting
OF open doors gives to all an opportuni
~ of seeing and knowing what is being
done by the farmers. They not only
discuss these subj cts which relate prac-
ideally to their calling, but they take
cognizance of those subjects which come
under legislative action, and which in
their application effect their interest.
Every agricultural community should
most earnestly and increasingly strive to
keen alive "Farmero' Club, or Grange.
Its social results add to the pleasure
and happiness of life, and its intellectual
benefits are valuable, as these are the
prime considerations of life. The soil
tary consideration of the accumulation
of wealth only gives feeling of tempo
rsry selfish INDEPENDENCE; it aggregates
cares and anxieties, often leads to friyol-
tiles and vices, and ahenates genuine az
lection by producing jealousies, rivalry,
&c. = .,'r
"This is the season, says Mr.. Hyde,
for organizing farmers clubs, and some
suggestions as to their benefits and man
aeement may be timely. Whoever has
been member Of live club need not
lie told of its blessings; but not 1.-THE
of our farmers know by experience what
this Institution is, or what its advanta-
yes are. Clergymen, lawyers, physiclans,
teachers and manufacturers have their
associations in which they meet, com.
pare notes and digest schemes for the
advancement of their several callings;
but farmers live such busy and isolated
lives that they seldom meet either for
social culture or pecuniary profit. They
therefore DO not keep abreast with the
times in business enterprise or lntellec-
tual progress. AS diamonds only can
polish diamond, so minds are kept
bright only by contact with minds.
..Forsake not the assembling OF your
self together is the command of the
holy writ, which applies as truely to
secular as to religious matters.
The club 10 peculiarly farmers instl-
tuition, and the first benefit they will re-
ceiye from it will be the impetus given
to their mental Development. No man
can listen TO the discussion OF club
meeting without having much truth
sown in bis ears, and truth lie the food
of the mind. True, he might stay at
home and read these same truths, or
others of equal importance, but in nc
way does truth make such an impress
sion as directly from the mouth OF Inv
ing speaker. Certainly, if he takes part
in the discussion, ''he will keep up
terrible thinking" for in no position can
one be placed in which the current OF
thought runs SO rapidly as when he
stands up to address his audience. 1t
is s.siuk or SWIM" with him, and TO the
inexperienced the amount of brain pow
err required TO keep swimming is some
times IRENE ndous. The clubroom is one
of the best places to cultivate the gift
of tongues, as the audience IS made up
of few familiar faces, and the topics
discussed are those in which all present
are deeply interested. Farmers some
times complain that their influence is
not sufficiently felt in town meetings
and in state and national Legislation, land
one great reason is that they are not
accustomed to arrange and ventilate
their thoughts in the public assembly.
We therefore place the development OF
mind and manly expression of thought
as the first advantage Of the farmers
club.
The second advantage is more obvi-
GUS than the first; it is the increase OF
knowledge in the arr of agriculture.
1.-Two heads are wiser than one, and 1t
would be miracle if with score OF
heads together some suggestions should
not be made which would be OF great
practical value. The observation and
experience of no two men are alike, and
it is only by comparison Of practice
and results that truth is elected, and