The patron of husbandry., 1881-12-10
Build Up the Grange.

With the improved condition of
the Order which is everywhere ap-
parent, the members should re
double their efforts to keep up inte.
rest in the cause and use every in
fluence, take advantage Of every op.
portunity, to promote its power and
prosperity. The business arm has
been and should continue to be made
powerful auxiliary to the Order.
and our National, State, County and
Subordinate Oranges should take
every precaution to shape and con
trel this element of strength No
business system should, be permitted
to exist under Grange auspices that
is not established and conducted on
the cooperative plan as recommen-
ded by the National Grange, and
the great principles of that system
should never be departed from un-
ueI any circumstances.
We believe that the Grange is on
the eve of great revival and that
it will soon be stronger in numbers
than ever. The Order was never SO
well prepared for practical work as
at this time; our leaders are not only
true and tried, but they and the
members at large have a clear con-
ception of the principles and objects
of the organization and possess the
knowledge, gained by study and
experience, required to carry those
principles into practical effect.
The contrast in the general char
acter and efficiency of the Order as
it exists to. day with what it was
eight or ten years ago, is most strik-
ing as it is most encouraging. Then
the Order was little better than an
army of raw recruits, undisciplined
and led by incompetent officers,
its membership unused to organized
effort, while many of the leaders,
especially in the Subordinate Gran
ges, were really opposed to the move
ment and joined it simply to destroy
it. But the professional politicians
and the merchants have been gene
rally weeded out, and there is now
no danger to be apprehended from
that quarter. Our present leaders
are in full sympathy with the princi-
pies of the Order; they have the ex-
perience of veterans, and are thor
oughly prepared for any system of
warfare-ofensive or defensive
that may be adopted.
With everything to encourage the
membership at large, every Patron
shorid do his full duty to build up
the Grange and give an earnest sup
port to whatever cooperative enter
prise IN which his Grange NAV be
engaged. There can be no excuse
now for indifference, nor lack of
confidence in the Order to accom-
plish all that was expected of it. nor
of want of knowledge of its princi-
pies and purposes. It's PRINCIPLES
and purposes have been published
TO the world and its capacity for all
the requirements of farmers or
ganization fully established. The
farmer who has not sufficient conf
dence in his friends and neiehbors
to unite with them in this organiza-
ton for a common purpose, ought
not to complain of the hardships and
expressions heaped upon him bv
other classes that are organized and
work together to build up their in
terests and strengthen and enlarge
their power. Such farmers are the
most dangerous enemies of the
Grange, for in a movement like
this, indirect if not secret opposition
is more effective than the open hos.
tlllty of its most.relentless enemies
The farmer who is not openly and
earnestly for the Grange is against
IT, no matter how loudly he may
claim that he sympathises with and
desires its success.
The real Patrons, those who are
IN the Grange from convictions of
duty, of principle and of patriotism.
can now work with greater assur-
ance that their efforts will be effec. |
tive and far-reaching. They know
that the Order is gaining strength
and moving forward throughout the |
entire country, and that it onlv re.
mains for each member to do his full |
duty manfully and faithfully TO
make it the leading and most pow
ertul organization on American soil
Can there be single laggard in
movement so grand, so patriotic
and so necessary to the well-being
of fho f0il1.o. |