The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-06-04
Our esteemed correspondent, Bro.

Our esteemed correspondent, Bro.
@. N. Gilmer, of Lowndes county,
Ala, expresses, in letter which we
print in another column, his disap-
pointment at the failure of the Order
to accomplish many important re-
forms that it promised and which
the country expected. And there
are doubtless many thousands of far
mers who were once members of
the Order who feel, like our cores
doudent, that the Grange is failure
as reformatory movement, True,
all that he states presents the situa
ton correctly in many communities
where the Grange once fourished in
the number of its members if not in
deeds, and in others where the or
ganization has been partially kept
up, but if members who are thus
disappointed will examine the causes
Of failure, they will probably see
that the membership, and not the
Grange, were to blame. All the ben
efts and advantages which our cor
respondent expected to derive from
tine Order can be realized by any
Grange that will carry out its prin-
ciples in the true spirit and work
together harmoniously in such CO.
operative enterprises as the mem
bers may engage in. For all the
wants and interests of the farmers,
the Grange is as ready and efficient
as the Board of Trade is for those of
the merchants.
One of the great obstacles in the
way of Grange progress and success,
and it is apparent to our correspon-
dent, is the ignorance of many far
mers of the methods of organized
effort, and indeed of the necessity
and importance of organization it
self. This ignorance has been taken
advantage of on all occasions by the
enemies of the Order, who found it
an easy matter to excite the fears or
the cupidity of that large class of
farmers that have grown up, as it
were, under the influence of the mer-
chants and other town classes, and
who accept unquestioningly state
ments and advice that were intended
to mislead and deceive. This is one
of several obstacles that have pre-
vented the healthful progress of the
Order and in some localities we'll
nigh destroyed 1t.
Like our correspondent, we think
it right and proper to point out mis-
takes and shortcomings in the Or
der. The purpose of the National
Grange evidently was to confne the
benefits and advantages of co-ope,
ration to members of the Order, al
least so far as to limit the shares ir
all Grange cooperative enterprises
to them. 1t was the idea that the
cooperative system, as recommend
ed by the National Grange, shoulc
be made to subserve the interests O.
the Order, and where stockholder:
of co-operatine stores, as in Texas
are restricted to members of the Or
der, there the Grange has been i'm
mensely benefited.
The principles, the methods anc
the scope of the Grange are ample
for all the purposes that the mos
exacting farmer could desire, if fully
understood, and properly applied
and enforced. The members o
any Grange who have studied these
principles, who are fully imbuec
with the spirit that should animate
true Patrons, who think that they
and their families are the equals O
the best in the land, who know
their rights and interests both in
public and private affairs, and who
will practice cooperation honestly
faithfully and fearlessly, can secure
all the great benefits and advan-
tages promised in our Declaration
of Purposes and work out these
reforms that are so essential to the
happiness ana prosperity of the
toiling millions. The members OF
hundreds of Oranges throughout all
sections of our country and are to-
day realizing the practical worth
and efficiency of the Order as a
great reformatory and progressive
organization, and enjoying its bless
ings-blessings that, ''like the gentle
dews of heaven, should fall equally
upon allp who will labor faithfully
and earnestly to secure them.
We had very pleasant visit a