The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-20
CONDITION OF THE ORDER.
BY H. EsHBAUGH, MASTER OF THE MIS-
SOURI, STATE GRANG1


SOURI, STATE GRANGE.
From what have said in my commu-
nications for several months past, it has
doubtless been noticed that the organiza-
ton of the Patrons of Husbandry is in a
very prosperous condition, indeed more
so than at any preceding time during the
past five years, and this prosperity is still
on the increase. Reports from deputies
and other sources all indicate much
better attendance at the Grange meetings,
and that the educational work is making
fine progress throughout the State. A
deep interest is taken by members gener-
ally in the various questions affecting the
agricultural interests. Working Oranges
are much more earnestly engaged in ad-
vancing the true work of the Order than
formerly, and great good is being accom-
plished. Many delinquent members are
returning. A large number of dead and
dormant Oranges have resumed labor
within the last two months, and are to-
day in the front ranks working for the
rights of the farmers and for the advance
ment of the agricultural interest.
Prospects for the future are bright, in
deed they were never more hopeful than
at the present And what is mostly need
ed now, is earnest faithful work by indi-
vidual members, and Subordinate Oranges,
upon the true principle of fraternal CO.
operation Contention, strife and selfish
ness must be hidden to depart, and we
labor together harmoniously, unitedly as
one man. Organization means the bring
ing together of all the different parts and
parcels and unite them into one co-opera-
tive element for the purpose of accom-
plishing certain objects. No Patron should
and am sure no good Patron WILL allow
himself to lose sight of the grand idea OF
united action and cooperative efforts.
Much harm has been done to the or
ganization by the selfishness of individu-
ais during the past four or five years.
| Often the individual opinions were at
tempted to be substituted for the wishes
and opinions of large majority; untried
and unmatured schemes were urged IN
exchange for plans matured and establish
ed after careful and candid consideration
Individual selfshness, for the sake OF
popularity and the idea of self advance
| ment. had much to do with this, which
is wrong and in conflict with the best in
| terest of the Order and contrary to the
organic law, and to the true principles oi
Of our organization.
| L nc OISdillZdttOli 10 SO PSi1S~$ - ~ -
rangements, powerful in its strength as te
numbers, the principles upon which
| stands so sublime, its mission SO humane
| in short, everything SO complete, simple
and perfect, that outside opposition cal
do us but little harm and we have bu
little to fear in that direction. But tn
danger lies within our our own gates. l
is said that an injudicious friend is tn
worst of enemies. An injudicious mem
Der may do much harm for the tim
being, but like all errors, will eyentuall
be discovered and thrown aside; but
may then require time and effort to re
gain the loss sustained, while laborin
. under error, and in some instances the
may be so great that it can never be re
gained. Hence the safety lies in avoidin
!. errors, as they are always attended wit
loss, danger and sacrifice.
! Last year when the business arrangt
: ments were SO complete, as to be now a
most universally admitted as having bee
! the best we have ever had, very sma
I minority afrayed themselves against
and as a result we suffered the loss {
4 much that we had gained by hard wor
Il and thought in years past. Indeed, the lol
II to the Order through this opposition alon
was greater than all other causes con