Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-11-26
THE NATIONAL GRANGE MEET
ING.

A NOTABLE GATHERING OF REPRESENTATIVE
MEN j. WOODLANDS ADDRESS.
At the fourteenth annual meeting of the
national grange, held last week in Washing
ton, nearly every State in the Union was rep
resented. The meeting was held in Willard
hall, and among those present were many Of
the original founders of the Order, viz: VIM.
Saunders, w. NJ. Ireland, John Trimblo F.
NJ. Mcdowell ]. II. Thompson and A. b.
Grosh. The Ploughman, in speaking of the
gathering, says that finer body of mon is
rarely seen in one assemblage. II was har-
monious and happy body. Among the mem
bers Of the convention were several members
of Congress. But one spirit and purpose pre-
vailed. The ladies also lent their welcome
presence to the gathering, adding greatly to
the brilliancy Of the scene. The very sub
stance and reliance of the country was repre-
scented there William Saunders, the first
master of the national grange, made an ad-
dress of welcome, which was most eloquently
and feelingly responded to by Put Darden of
Mississippi. Mr.. Saunders was full of feel
ing aud impressiveness in his address, and
welded visible influence on all who heard
his remarks. He expressed the wish that the
national grange might be put in direct rela-
tons with the subordinate oranges in all parts
of the country, so that at any time desired it
could execute their will or cooperate with
them in their purposes.
That, he reminded tho assembly, was the
real idea in the formation of the national
grange. He likewise hoped that the head
quarters would be permanently located at
Washington, which is the place of its birth.
The New England States were represented
by d. H. Thing of Maine, Geo. A. WATSON Of
New Hampshire, A. b. Franklin Of Vermont,
and James Draper, Benz. P. Ware and Geo.
Noyes Of Massachusetts
The following is the concluding portion of
the address of j. ]. Woodmau, master Of the
national grange;
The relation of national, state, Pomona and
subordinate oranges should be of the most
intimate and fraternal character and all legis-
ation 80 directed as TO produce united action
upon all questions affecting our common
cause Practical business cooperation should
be encouraged among our members, and all
doubtful enterprises involving the common
funds of the order or liability of oranges
bnOhlh bb hNOlutAl. Dubluthh SHOULD DC con
| Quoted upon business principles Business
operations which cannot be made self sus
tanning will result in ultimate loss, and the
experiment of salaried agents by state or sub
ordinate oranges should not be repeated
| Where associations have been formed upon
the cooperative plan, and wisely managed,
they have generally proved successful-in
some instances surprising the most sanguine
expectations of Patrons. But nothing can
| do more to popularize our order with the far
mers, and bring it into general favor, than an
active, bold and determined policy to ameho-
rate the condition of agriculture and protect
it from the grasping righteousness of com
| bined and Incorporated power.
Our organization is an experiment and its
| power to remove the great obstacles in the
way Of prosperous agriculture in this coun-
try has never yet been fully tested but the
efforts which have been made and the steps
| taken to bring about these results have been
crowned with sufficient success to establish its
ability, if properly directed to accomplish
that object and the time has come when the
test must be made. The conflict is upon us
and every member is expected to do his whole
duty. 1t remains to be seen whether this
country is to be controlled by the rapacious
railroad transportation companies, managed
| by few men ''trh0 recognize no responsibility
e.rcept 10 their stockholders and no principie
| Of action bit personal and coypordtire az
| grdndizemeHt," or by the sovereign people.
1t is encouraging to know that we are re-
ceiving influential allies from the commercial
| and manufacturing interests of the country
and if we stand firm and bring the whole
strength OF our order into action, the contest
cannot be protracted one or the results
| doubtful. Then let every Patron do his duty
Do not enter the field half-hearted damp
| zeal is like damp poyder-it will not burn,
and has neither fire nor force in it but work
in earnest, and make your work practical 1t
does lot require the gift Of eloquence to con-
vince fair minded men of the benefits of the
grange, and the practical advantages OF men,
bership. There are no faults in our organiza-
ton to apologize for and but little prejudice
to overcome. Every principle of the order is
founded upon equal and exact justice. There
| Is no law or rule that gives one member great
er rights or privileges than another. There
are no favored few, no privileged class, all
| stand alike upon the same platform, governed
by the laws and protected by the same power.
Our declaration of purposes challenges the
admiration of all classes and professions of
men, and no one has been found to criticse
them. This movement is one of the most
| important known to history, and the first at
tempt of the agricultural class of a nation to
maintain their social, intellectual and political
| equality. As the means of social advance
ment, enlightenment and liberalism our or
der possesses power hitherto unknown, and,
guided by the light of its principles, it must
overcome every obstacle and hold its way
steadily onward, bringing all within its influ-
ence nearer to the good, the beautiful, and
the true.
Let every member, then, be inspired with
faith, hope and zeal in building up the order
and extending its sphere of usefulness, until
in these quiet grange halls all over our land
shall exist power aud go out an influence
which shall carry hope and good cheer, not
only to the husbandman but to the toiling
millions of the world, and make our country
in truth, not only
1.-THE land Of the free and the home Of the brave"
but
| The land Of the good and the home Of the blest