The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-12-04
The Farmers and the Grange.

sets forth in very fit terms the pur-
port and object of the Grange. If
such sentiments were but universal.
If such full and high appreciation
but characterized every member of
the Order! We have at all times
earnestly endeavored to awaken and
stimulate the dormant energies of
the farmers, to open their eyes to the
real condition of things, to show
how cooperative effort alone could
establish them securely in prosperi-
ty, and it is encouraging to know
that others are working with energy
and ability in the same direction.
Never was there liner opportunity
offered for class of men to better
their condition than the Grange of
fers to the farmers of America. All
over the country its advantages have
been experienced, and letters most
gratifying in their tone assure US of
increasing prosperity through its
aid. AN over the country farmers
are gathered together at their stated
meetings, and the attrition of minds
is most enlivening and beneficial.
Each individual farmer who is live
and working member of the Grange.
feels the strengthening support of
numbers, and no longer goes about
transacting his business with the
timidity which formerly character
lied him and which was always ia
ken advantage of. There is won,
derful powerin association, if it be
constant and regular and guided by
one overruling purpose, and the far
mers as a body are developing this
power. A steady persistence along
the same line will in a few years
make them a power fitted by intelli
gence and compactness of organiza-
ton to cope successfully with the
Money Power, which threatens to
override and overrule the land This
balance is needed for the healthful
condition of the body polite. 1t has
been iterated and reiterated that no
people can be truly prosperous
whose agricultural intetests are
hampered and diseased, for all else
depends upon this, and disease here
penetrates the entire system. But
the proper adjustment of agriculture
depends necessarily upon the far
mers themselves. It is law of ma
ture that we cannot get help from
without-it must come from our
own efforts. For who is SO inter
ested, so Immediately interested in
farming as the farmers? They feel
the immediate pressure, the present
need, and it is to their efforts that
they must look for deliverance, and
how can they work SO efectually
otherwise than as members OF the
Grange? tt is one of the many mys-
teries daily confronting us in the
lives of our fellow men that far
mer can stand so in his own light as
not to be in the Grange-can be SO
blind to his interest, SO ignorant OF
the impositions practiced upon him
bv other classes who are keen for
their own advantage, and are ever.on
the lookout Tor the weak places oi
others. The secret of all true success
in life is an ever wakefulness, con
slant alertness, seizing of opportu-
mites as soon as they are recognized
And that the Grange may be recog:
nized as the farmers opportunity
needs but a candid examination oi
its principles and objects and study
Of its practical workings. Join witt
vour fcliov laborers, then-and We
would that every farmer in the lane
could have this injunction!--anc
work heartily with them, helping
them to keep awake by your effort
and then, after year CT so, or five
wears say, compare your condition
with what it was previously, ane