The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-09-04
FROM TENNESSEE.
linton COUufV.

T1pfOn County.
Editor Patron. Our State Lee
turer, Hon. w. H. Nelson, and my
self have Just returned from Upton
county, where we spent several
days in the interest Of the Grange
Our efforts were not successful so
far, at least, as immediate results
are concerned, but we feel that we
have gained much in experience.
There is but one living Grange in
Upton county, but although it
stands alone it is not weak nor dis.
couraged. It is composed of excel
lent material and promises much
good. We were informed that they
clnbed together last fall and ordered
their coffee, sugar, ETC., in bulk
through the Southwestern Cooper
ative Association at New Orleans.
This step in cooperation, we were
told, resulted in considerable
saving to the membership, and they
are now taking steps to establish
cooperative store. The later is the
most practical way of cooperating,
and if thev are successful in estab-
| fishing the new enterprise, and it is
conducted strictly upon the Roch-
dale plan, we are certain that it will
add new life and energy to their
Grange. Ebenezer is the name of
this Grange, and long. may it live to
disseminate the principles and estab-
lish the practical utility of the
Grange.
While in Tipton3 county we en-
| ioyed the society anesef1os Pitality of
Bro. w. H. Person and family; and
here we wish to express our appre-
citation and gratitude for the kind
manner in which we were enter,
| tanned. Bro. Person has been ap-
pointed Deputy Lecturer for his
county and we hope he will be sue
cessful in his attempt to revive the
| Order within his territory. The
| principal object of our visit was to
assist Bro. Person in this work, but
we found that it would require
more time to arouse the dormant
members from their lethargy than
we could spare; so we did what we
could by way of scattering good seed
and returned.
My observation as Deputy have
led me to the conclusion that the
general relapse of Subordinate
Oranges into dormancy is tracable
to three prime causes. These are
Ist, Petty local divisions, which are
found more or less in every com
munity; I'd, The influence of hos
tile interests which have been ad-
mitted to the Grange; sd, The fail
ure of the members to derive pc
cuniary benefit from the Order
Our leaders should constantly keep
in mind these obstacles to the ex-
tension and perpetuity of the
Grange; for | am satisfied that il
will require more forethought and
systematical work to revive the
dormant Oranges than it required
to spread the Order among the peo
pie when it was new. The locaI
s, divisions to which we refer arise
from human selfshness and it can
not be over come at once but will
gradually yield to the influences ot
education. We must educate the
people by circulating Grange liter
ature among them. The hostile in
huences which have been admitted
into the Order have been very detri
mental to the cause of the Grange
This has been the experience o.
every Subordinate Grange that ha,
admitted merchants and other.
whose Influence is hostile to tn,
/ caase Of the Grange. As mem
! Der expressed it they came in ant
blessed us and went out and curse
us! Let US put down the brake
ana thenceforth admit no one who i.
not closelv.ident;fied with the farm
The pecuniary feature of GU
Order is essential to its success
Some appreciate the Grange for it
social and intellectual features, bu
the great mass of farmers demanl
| what they would consider more
substantial benefit. They want II
have a few dimes and dollars al
they go along. This is well enough
for little more capital could b,
utilized with considerable advant
age on the fam. Co-operativ,
stores, .'new process" factories ana
business arrangements should bt
encouraged BY the Grange to enlia
the more hearty efforts Of our L EN-
bers in behalf Of is success
I am of the opinion that a few
decisive steps taken BY the i've
Oranges in behalf Of the pecuniafy
/ and political intcrssts Of the faimei