The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-10-30
Letter from Worthy MASTER
WOOdman, of the NafiOnal
Grange

Grange.
Worthy Master Woodman has
kindly furnished US the following
letter for publications:
E. K. BRANCH, Master of Louisiana
State Grange:
Worthy Brother. Your very in
tcresting setrer of the 4th inst. is be-
fore me, and its contents read with
satisfaction. am gratifed to learn
that you and your faithful associates
in the Order, at your recent meeting,
"yesolved TO hold the ship" and | am
confident that bv earnest and untir-
ing work, you will be able to revive
the Order in your State, and restore
it to its former prosperity. | fully
appreciate your situation, and en-
barrassed condition; and can assure
the Patrons of Louisiana that they
have the heart felt sympathy of their
brothers and sisters in the North
and everywhere; and can rely upon
the officers of the National Grange
for aid and encouragement, to the
full extent of their authorized pow
er and ability to bestow. 1t would
be great calamity to your people,
as well as to the Order, and the
beneficent work it is doing in unit
ing the agriculturists of our highly
favored land into one great brother
hood, and in reconciling estranged
feelings, uniting common interests
and cementing the bonds of frater-
nal unity between the farmers of
different sections of our common
country, to have your State, or any
other State, lost to our Order.
| am aware that the political con-
vulsions which have visited your
State unsettling business, and Great
ing distrust and financial emharrass
rnent among all classes, have great
| ly depressed the agricultural inter
ests, and caused the fires to burn
but dimly upon your Grange affairs;
but it will carry hope and JOY to
your brothers and sisters every
| where, to see and to know thar you
have resolved to rise above the
ruins of the storm, and build anew
upon the smoldering ashes of blight
ed hopes and fortunes.
You say that the "failure of your
State Grange business agent, pro-
duced financial embarrassment, and
caused damper to fall upon all
who lost by him. that your State
Grange is in debt to the National
Grange for dues, and to the officers
Of the State Grange for faithful
work; but that the officers of the
State Grange will cheerfullJ donate
the amount due them. That is in
deed generous and commendable on
their part, and indicates a deep and
unselfsh love for the Order.
While | am unauthorized to say
that the whole or any portion Of
your past State Grange dues will
be RENTED, yet l can not think that
the National Grange will fail to re-
move this obstacle, if in the way OF
your returning prosperity and rein
statement with the National Grange
| will transmit to you the New
annual Word, for the use of your
Subordinate Oranges, and advise
you to appoint Special Deputies in
the several Parishes in your State
with full power to organize new
Oranges and revive dormant ones
Press good earnest lecturers into
the field, and urge every true Pa
iron to stand by his colors, and as
sist you at the helm; and you will
have the proud satisfaction of see.
ing the Grange ship, ladened with
a nations hope, emerge from the
smoke of battle with her colors still
flying, "Dou't .efUe up the snip"
Fraternally, ]. J. WooDMAN,
| Master of National Grange P. of H
Paw Paw, Mich, 1880.