The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-20
Tenn essee State Grange.

22d, 23d, 24th, 1880.
A ADDRESS OF WORTHY
MASTER T. B. HARWELL.
Brethren. The work of another annual
meeting of the State Grange demands our
attention. 1t is with sincere pleasure
greet you, and unite with you IN expires,
sion of gratitude to the giver of all good
for the general good health we have en-
joyed since our last meeting, for the album
dant crops which have rewarded our la
bors, and for the prospect of returning
prosperity to our people. But we remem-
Der, with deep regret, that IN the mean
time, dread pestilence has twice visited
one of the fairest sections of our State
sweeping off thousands of. its citizens,
Gripping its commerce, and leaving desc
lation and woe in its track. Yet, in COM
mon with our afflicted friends, we have
reason to be grateful for the sympathy and
aid generously extended from every Sec
ton of the country, and for the hope we
now have, under Providence, that wise
and timely sanitary measures may avert
in the future the blow which has fallen
so heavily in the past, particularly upon
our good city of Memphis, and restore to
it the prestige it once enjoyed for CONNER
cial enterprise and activity.
We have met in accordance with the
requirements of our. Order to consider
how we may best promote its interests,
and the interests of those for whose bene.
fit it was organized. Whilst matters OF
vital importance to it are engaging our
attention, the eyes of all good Patrons
will be directed to you, with the hope that
we may evolve light out of the darkness
which now overshadows our Order in the
State Let us, brethren, address our
selves to the work before us with an
earnest purpose to meet our responsible
ties in the true Grange spirit, that we may
give new impetus to its growth, and
sustain the hope that animates our friends.
1t is clearly our duty, in the beginning.
to understand the character of the work
before us, the objects in view, and the
necessity for vigorous effort, and well de-
fined methods. In the first place, we rep
resent one of the most numerous and i'm
portant industrial classes in the country,
which needs to be organized, united and
educated in methods OF self reliance, and
of intelligent progress, and which phrsues
an industry which is the main source of
national wealth, and underlies the general
prosperity. More directly, we represent
an Order which is National in its scope,
rapidly growing in power and influence,
and organized in the interest of agricul-
ture and its votaries. An Order which is
now justly regarded as having been
evolved out of exigencies which demand
higher culture, and a more just protec-
ton for agriculture, enlarged social privi-
leges for those who pursue it, and an edu-
Gated intelligence to direct them in the
discharge of the duties and obligations of
good citizenship.
In the next place, we represent a field
of labor in our State, which possesses
abundant resources in the variety of its
productions, in the fertility of its soil, in
its genial and healthful climate, in its
aptitudes for every variety of rural hus-
bandry, in its inexhaustible mineral de-
posts, in its superior manufacturing facil-
tiles, and for transportation. Every thing,
indeed, to stimulate our enterprise and in
dustry, and with the great educational
advantages we possess, and the growing
thirst for knowledge, we have the posi-
bilities of a most gratifying growth in the
future, in intelligence, wealth, md hap
piness.
The development of these resources,
and the advancement of our State in its
future possible civilization, is more largely
in the hands of the farmers than of any
other class. These considerations invest
our meetings with extraordinary interest,
and should incite in us just pride of effort,
| to SO perfect Grange machinery, that our
farmers may go forward successfully
| through its instrumentalities in developing
the agricultural resources of our State,
and securing their right to an equality
with all other classes in the enjoyment of
all the rights, privileges, and immunities
| which sovereignty confers under our gov
eminent.
| Keeping, then, this object in view-the
perfection of our Grange machinery-we
should strive first to revive the tagging
energies of our members, to rehabilitate
our dormant Grange, and to effect that
more thorough
ORGANIZATION
which is absolutely essential to that sys-
tematic and effective effort upon which
our success depends. We shall look in vain
for revival of interest, and that growth
in numbers which is necessary to some of
the highest aims of the Order, if we un-
/ dervalue the important of this first step.
i vitality important to the concentration of
our strength, energies and intelligence, in
advancing our interests as Industrial fac
tors and citizens, and particularly in secu-
ring such representation in the law-mak-
ing bodies as is ours of right, and which
we should urgently demand. -
When properly organized, we shall be
prepared to carry forward those Grange
processes which win usher in a new era
of agricultural progress, and of that high
er culture which will put US abreast with
the munihcence of Nature in her Gifts
and with the aid we have received from
progressive science.
| viii first direct your attention to the
recommendations of the National GRANGE
/ through the reports of its several commit.
tees, on the condition of American agri-
culture, transportation, cooperation, edu-
cation, and the patent laws, which are