The patron of husbandry., 1881-01-08

strengthen and stimulate us all, in the dis
charge of the arduous duties and labors %
this Session. While some of us have trave
ed hundreds of miles, and come into YOU
| midst as comparative strangers. the gener
Gus hospitality of your noble citizens, theii
| intelligence and worth were not unknown
to us. Their reputation had already ex-
| tended to our dist mt homes, and even du-
ring our few hours sojourn in your beauti-
| full town we have had abundant evidence
| OF the correctness of our information and
estimate of their leading characteristics.
| There are other circumstances connected
| with our present meeting which are calcu-
| lated to cheer and encourage our hearts.
| When we look over 'his large assembly
| the largest that has met in this capacity
| for several wears: when we behold the
hopefulness the earnest determination de
picted on every countenance, We take fresh
courage Not only the impress Of progress,
but also that of nernanency is to-day in
delibly stamped upon our Order, and while
we can claim that it has attained to the
full statue of manhood and possesses the
stad gravity OF perfect maturity, we can
also claim that it is devoid OF the discrepi
tudeS and frailties of old age. As we, this
morning, glide smoothly and pleasantly
down your splendid railway, | involunta
rilv compared the tall and stately pines
that met our gaze along its line, to many
earnest men aid Woinen--members of our
Ordcr-who are TO be found here and there
throughout the State. These lofty pines
have withstood storm and tempest for years
and MANY of them are still unscathed.
These noble ana heroic Patrons have al
WAYS stood firm and ushaken in our prin-
ciples and faith, and to day stand forth, as
they have ever done, as beacon lights in
our Order. Further on we came in full
view of the magnificent mandatory where
whirl of the spindle. and the hum of busy
industry is heard both day and night.
Reaching the suburbs of your little CITY,
the first object that attracted our attention
was the grand proportions of your college
edifiee. These all reminded me of the OBJ
ects, purposes and teachings of our Order
and pointed to its ultimate triumph. Prog
ress is our watchword; education our aim.
and good to all mankind the great ultima
tum. We can consistently and proudly
boast of advancement, social, material and
intellectual, and we do point with pride
and satisfaction to the results that have
been and are still being accomplished, by
and through the annual meeting Of the
National Grange. The fact that the last
session was composed of delegates from
thirtv-one of these United States, shows
conciusively, that the prefix National is
not misapplied. The fact that Massachu
setts stood shoulder 10 shoulder with Mis-
sissippi on all great questions affecting the
interests of all sections; that Ohio could
raise her voice and record her vote with
South Carolina in securing the greatest
good to the largest number, furnish unmis-
takeable evidence. that there is an influence,
new and powerful, at work. ofwhich the
world has little knowledge, and | predict
that this influence will continue, until the
political blackness Of darkness" which
has so long overshadowed our land, will
be dispelled and peace on earth, and good
will TO all men" will be the prevailing SEN |
timent. Allow me in conclusion, to express
the hope that your fUndest wishes n refe
ence to the present meeting NAV be fully |
realized. In the name of these Patrons, |
I again thank you for this cordial greet