The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-11-27
Master }. j. WOOdman's Address
TO The National Grange.
Worfhy Patrons and Masters ofthe Ma

20 tHe National Grange.
Worthy Patrons and Masters of the Ma
ffonaI Grange:
In obedience to the Constitution
of our Order, and the action of the
last National Grange, we have met
to-day in this beautiful city, the cap
ltal of our Nation, and birth place
of our Order; and organized for the
transaction of such business relating
to the interests of our organization
and the welfare of its members as
is required of the National Grange:
and to consider and act upon such
questions relating to the great inter
cts OF agriculture, and the relation
which agriculture bears to the gen
eral prosperity, as the exigencies of
the times seem to demand.
The present year has been one of
unusual prosperity for our country.
The earth has yielded bountiful
harvest. No scourge has been Wis
tied upon our people, and tue hus-
bandman rejoices in WE'LL filled gran
aries, and increasing prosperity.
AS good Patrons, placing faith in
God, let us seek His aid and guild
ance in the discharge of the duties
and give praise to Him ror His bless
ings bestowed.
On the 4th of December, 1867,
the National Grange was organized
in this city by the founders of the
Order, with Worthy Brother Will
liam Saunders as Master. At that
time there was not Subordinate
Grange in all the land, and the off
GERS of the National organization
were without a constituency, and
constituted all there was of the
Order.
The first Subordinate Grange was
organized here by the founders of
the Order as a school of instruction,
and to test the efficiency of the
manual. In January following a
circular was issued to the farmers
of the country, stating briefly the
primary objects of the Order, and
the necessities for such an orgarfiza-
ton among those who till the soil
and produce the wealth of the
world. The following from the
circular will indicate its character:
''It is evident to all intelligent
minds that the time has come when
those engaged in rural pursuits
should have an organization devoted
entirely to their interests.
''Such it is intended to make the
Order of Patrons. 1t was instituted
in their interest, and is destined to
be one of the most powerful organ
izations in the United States. Its
grand objects are not only the gen
eral mproveme~t in husbandry, but
to increase the general happiness,
wealth and prosperity of the coun
try. 1t is founded on the anxioms
that the products of the soil are the
basis of all wealth, that individual
happiness depends on general pros
perity, and that the wealth Of a
country depends upon the general
intelligence and metal culture Of the
producing classes.
"Women are admitted to full
membership, and we solicit the CO.
operation of women because Of u
conviction that without their aid,
success will be less certain and de
cided.
The Order of the Patrons of
Husbandry will accomplish thor
ough and systematic organization
among farmers and horticulturists
throughout the United States, and
will secure among them intimate
social relations and acquaintance
with each other for the advan cement
and elevation of their pursuits, with
an appreciation and protection Of
their true interests.
''By such means MAJ be accom-
plished that which exists through
out the country in all other avoca-
tions,> and among all other classes,
combined cooperative associations
for ndi0idual Improvement and
common beueft'"
Upon this brief but comprehen-
sive platform of principles was our
Order founded; and whatever oil
good it has accomplished, must be
largely attributed to the wisdom
and integrity of its founders, in un-
derstanding he condition and wants
ot dgrlculture. and faithfully proyid
ing for its necessities.
The first disnensation to Sub
ordinate Grange was issued some
thee months after the organ
ization of the National Grange;
and the whole number organized
during the first three years, or up
to January Isl, 1871, was but So.
From that time the work of organ