The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-11-26

1
the present condition of the Order
in their respective States, for details
on this subject | refer you to their
reports. Yet I cannot pass over
this question without expressing my
convictions. founded upon CORES
pondence and personal inc uiries and
observation while among Patrons in
several of the Western States, that
as whole the work of the Order is
steadily moving onward, overcom-
ing prejudices and winning the APP
! probation and confidence not only
of farmers but of all classes. Far
| mers who have hitherto withheld
their influence from the Grange are
| beginning to realize the necessity of
united action on the part of those
engaged in agricultural pursuits, to
prevent their interests from being
wholly ruined by the over.reaching
power of the monopolies which have
been created by the Legislation of
the country, and are looking to this
organization as the only medium
through which such action can be
consummated. In some of the States
decided progress has been made,
and the Order has become power
which can no longer be ignored.
l appointed Deputies in the States
of Arkansas, Louisiana and Nebras-
ka, to impart instructions and take
charge of the interests of the Order
in those States until such time as the
State Oranges could be reorganized
and resume their positions in the
National organization.
Arkansas has already reorganized
and Louisiana is nearly ready to do
SO, but the Deputy thought it wise
to defer until the winter months,
when farmers would have more leis-
ure and could devote more time TO
Grange work. There are many
worthy and earnest members in Ne
braska and some strong Oranges,
but the business failures and finan-
cial embarrassment which over
whelmed their State Grange have SO
impaired their confidence in the
State organization that they have
expressed very general preference
to remain at present where they now
are, under the jurisdiction of the Ma
tional Grange. There is work in
these States for the National Lectu-
rer, and aEnecessity for the dissent
nation of more Grange documents,
and a more general circulation of
Grange journals and periodicals.
CONCLUSION.
1t seems quite impossible to refer
in this communication to all the
questions which are likely to come
before you at this session. | have
called your attention only TO those
which l deem mr. st important 20 the
general welfare of agriculture and
which relate directly to the work of
our organization. The feldlfor work
is broad, and it is your duty to ex
plore it we'll, and originate and rec
ommend measures for carrying for
ward the work so we'll begun and
accomplishing the great purposes
for which we are organized Let
the members of our Order under
stand and feel that the social, litera-
ry and refining influences and fnan-
cial benefits of the Subordinate
Grange do not constitute all of the
objects and purposes Of our Order,
but we aim to make our influence
rise above and reach beyond all
these and benefit sour country and
| mankind"
In conclusion, I need make no
apology for referring to another
growing evil in the political system
of our country. | have reference to
the sboiKs system, upon the altar of
which the President was sacrificed.
In France, l saw the President of
that Republic following the remains
of General of the French army TO
their last resting place surrounded
by a body guard with drawn wea-
pons ready to punish with instant
death any miscreant who should
dare to do him injury, and | asked
myself if the time would ever come
when the President of this Republic
would be unsafe among the people.
1t would be a reproach upon the
good name of the intelligent, liberty
loving people of this country to even
imagine that the life of their Presi-
dent would be unsafe among them.
But in the assassination of President
Garfield by political fanatic are
there not reasons TO inquire if the
time has not come when the newly
inaugurated President is unsafe
among the half million irrepressible
office seekers by whom he is as
sailed, demanding their share of the
spoils of office as reward for polit-
ical services in electing the Presi-
dent, who is made the great dispen.
ser of public patronage, and is il
strange that among the great mum
Der of Inundated, maddened and
elisa ppointed ones there should be
one Guiteau? This system, wrong
in principle and corrupting in its
influence, has been allowed to grow
up under our indulgence until it il
now able to rear its giant form anc
demand its office or the life of the
dispenser. 1t becomes. therefore
the duty of every statesman, philan
thropist and citizen, to seek the
cause of this terrible crime which