The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-10
To the District Deputies Of
Tennessee.

AeuuCSSVts
The time is near at hand when
the leisure of the farmer will present
you a favorable opportunity to be-
gin the work 10 which you have cen
assigned. That work is, particu
larly, the resuscitation of dormant
Oranges, and the advancement Of
the Order.
The field is ripe for the harvest.
and the parts assigned YOU h "
been carefully considered by the
State Grange, and offers the surest
hope of success. We look with
conference to your efforts, and hope
for the revival of the Order in our
State. A hope which is justified
by the indications that the farmers
are becoming satisfied of the neces-
sity of organized effort to promote
their industrial interests, and to
secure such influence in our legisla
tive bodies as these interests de-
mand. They begin to realize that
they are distinct class, which must
prosper their own industry and pro
tect it against those organized cor
porations and rings that rob it by
unjust exactions, by their own wis
dom and strength. They are be-
coming better prepared for that
higher social culture, that advance
in practical knowledge, and those
improved methods in agriculture
which the Grange makes possible
and easy. A spirit Of enquiry has
been awakened which will invite
the diffusion of Grange principles,
and facilitate the work upon which
you are about to enter.
Let not the prospect of high po-
litical excitement discourage you;
it will be your Office to tuln this to
the advantage of the Order. The
logic of recent facts shows that the
sober: second thought, wise dis
cretion, is opposed to partisan zeal,
and should encourage us to labor
for the exercise of an enlightened
judgment, juster comprehension
of interests, and needs of the coun-
try, which will render a blind parti-
san following impossible, and which
will demand the subservience of
party interests to the interests of the
people.
1t is the province of the Grange
to educate the masses in the knowl-
edge of public affairs, and in the
methods of self government, and no
time is more suspicious for such
work, than when the public. mind
is alive to the extremes to which
partisan zeal is ready to go to main.
tain party ascendancy.
The time has come when, indeed,
the people are ready to understand
the conditions upon which their po-
litical, as well as their industrial sue
cess depends, and to make "party"
the vehicle by which vitality may
be given to such measures of public
policy as will secure this end.
We bid YOU then go forth, believ.
ing you will find the farmers and
Patrons every where ready to wei
come you, to cooperate with you
and to aid you in a work in which
they are SO deeply interested We
leave the details of the methods you
choose to Adopt to your discretion,
promising that an efficient County
Deputy will be indispensable, and
suggest that in the counties not al
ready prcvi led you will forward at
your earliest convenience the names
of suitable persons for the position
who will be Immediately commits
stoned. We further suggest that
you at once put yourselves in com
munication with the Deputies, and
also the Masters of County Oranges,
that your plans may be put into
operation.
We bespeak for you the earnest
cooperation of all good Patrons,
and bid you God speed in your
labors in behalf of the interests of
the farmers in our State.