The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-10-15
West Virginia State Grange.

. Ihe ninth annual session of the
West Virginia State Grange was
held at Anderson, Monroe county,
In that State, on the 9TH of Sep
tember last. The meeting was we'll
attended by delegates ana visiting
Patrons, and a great deal of impor
tant work accomplished. We give
below the welcome address by Bro
VIM. Haynes, and the annual ad
dress of Worthy Master Baylor.
Bro. William Haynes, of Grange
No. I'll, in behalf of the Patrons of
Monroe county, was introduced and
delivered an address of welcome.
which was happily received by the
Grange:
WELCOME ADDRESS.
Worthy Master and Nembers of
the State Grange. The Grange or
ganzation of this locality have placed
upon me the task to say a few
words of welcome to the State
Grange which has now assembled
in our midst. I would therefore,
very respectfully, ask few minutes
that in a few words | may DISCHARGE
this duty.
1t is beyond question the pre-
vailing sentiment among the more
powerful, influential and educated
classes, that nobody cares for the
farmer. That he is a rough, igno-
rant, uncultured laborer; that it is
his proper business to work late and
early to make the necessary bread
for the Nation; to pay the taxes for
the support of the Government of
the Matt On; that the reward of his
labor should be the very smallest
possible amount necessary to keep
him in existence. And when he
attempts to step out of this in any
way he is thought to be exceeding
his legitimate business, corn and
b0tat0eS, and has gone to handling
{. and K. And yet, in the face of
all this, we see gentlemen of intelli-
gence and education, who are the
representatives of the Grange or
ganization in our State, leaving their
confortab BILE homes, making long
journeys over the mountains of our
State, spending talent, time and
money and with no expectation of
rewards or emoluments, or even the
slightest sound from the trumpet of
fame or glory, but purely for the
disinterested purpose of establish
ing and disseminating tie noble
principles of the Grange-those
principles which offer such splendid
opportunities to the farmers to raise
them from their low condition to
that standpoint and platform which
they so we'll deserve to occupy.
Thus furnishing an exhibition Of
disinterested consideration for the
farmer, rarely to be met with and
which should touch our every heart.
And the Worthy Master, too,
whose venerable age would be a
fitting and most reasonable apology
and excuse TO remain among the
comforts and elegance of a well ap-
pointed home; 'sthat home, too. sit
uated, as it is, upon the once prem
ises of the immortal Washington. +"
He, too, we find here to-day, with
no hope of a mark upon the column
of fame, with no expectation OF I'M
dividua rewards, leaves the quiet
comforts of home and family, and
makes long journeys over the sum-
mits of the Alleghanies, spending
time, talent and money, and is be-
fore us day as the executive rep
reseutative of these most excellent
principles of the Grange in our
State. that they may be established
to the permanent benefit of our
farmers.
These together furnish us with an
exhibition to-day which is well cal
culated 10 wiring from our hearts
the highest gratitude and the deep
est welcome.
Therefore, sir, the word Welcome
is hardly sufficient to properly rep
resent our feelings; but for want of
a better we will have to use 1T.
We would then say, Welcome,
thrice welcome, to our locality; well
come TO our courtv; welcome to
o,r town: welcome to our homes
and hospitalities, and welcome to a
place in our hearts, as the Master
of the State Grange. now and ever.
The Worthy NJ aster, in behalf of
The Grange, gratefully acknowl-
edged the same.
On resumption of t1e regular or
der of business, the Worthy Master
submitted his report, s follows;