The National tribune., 1881-12-10

valuable document admitted by all to be one OF
the best papers submitted to the body and
was listened to with the closest attention. He ex-
planned with considerable detail the duties of the
National Grange, in regard to devising measures
for the good of the whole Order. Farmers were
told that they are not only owners of the soil
they cultivate, but their readers, thinkers,
and executors the crOwning glory of which has
! eliminated in their demand for more elevated
social and intellectual life, the cultivation of a
noble manhood and womanhood amoug them
selves, and by organization and cooperation en-
deavor to dignity labor, honor their profession,
protect their rights, and maintain their equality
among men.
Although we represent class, yet it is an in
dustrial and wealth producing class, upon which
the prosperity ofall other industries and interests
! depend. We produce more wealth. and cOntri-
! butte more to commerce, more for the education
of the masses, and more for the support of the
Government and it's institutions than all other
interests combined. Upon the prosperity of ag-
rlculture depends the welfare if not the very ex-
istence OF all other interests and the strength and
perpetuity of the Government When the soil
yields an abundant harvest every channel of
business is electrified into life, but partial fail
ure of crops, as the returns of the present year
indicate, operates like the dying away of the
stream which furnishes the propelling power of
the mill, the machinery moves slower and much
of it will stop altogether.
He urged that more lively interest be taken in
Grange lectures; also that the Grange press should
be encouraged and amply supported by the Or
der.
In treating upon the transportation question,
allusiOn was made to the Grange as having taken
the initiatory in the movement against the tyr
amy of monopolies," and that it stands to-day
before the world vindicated in it's acts by the
ablest statesmen and urists of the country. Sen
ator Window has recently spoken upon this great
question in words of no uncertain meaning and
the country will be disappointed in him if his
voice is not again heard in the Senate Chamber
for the right.
AS to the political status of the Order he de-
clared that it was not partisan, and that it was
never intended and cannot be made to serve the
special interests of any political party; yet to
prohibit the discussion of all questions relating
to public policy would be to defeat some af the
very objects of the organization.
In the concluding remarks, referring to the
extent of the work, he mentioned that it seems
quite impossible to refer to all the questions in
this communication which are likely to come
before you at this session. 1 have called your
attention only to those which 1 deem most i'm
portant to the general welfare of agriculture and
which relate directly to the work Of our organza-
tion The field for work is broad, and it is your
duty to explore it well, and originate and recon-
mend measures for carrying forward the work so
we'll begun, and accomplishing the great pur-
poses for which we are organized Let the men,
bers Of our Order understand and feel that the
social, literary 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
"Our country and mankind"
The Treasurer's report showed that the finan-
cal condition of the Grange was very satisfactory:
the proportion of income to expenses was such
as indicated very perceptble yearly improve
ment. 1t is understood that the National Grange
is, financially, in "very comfortable circum-
stances"
The Secretary's report was also encouraging;
about sixty new Oranges had been organized
during the year, many dormant Oranges had
been reorganized, and the membership increasing
The reports from the States on the general
condition of the Order were very elaborate, and
showed prosperity. In Texas alone 1000 had !
been added to the membership during the year |
The reports Of the various committees were |
instructive and able documents; they could not |
be contained in entire number of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE. The following extract is
from the report of the Agricultural Committee:
" 1t is a fact, supported by incOntestible proof
that agriculture pays for more than it's Just share
of taxes for the support of government; and it is
equally true that it's products are cheapened in
the hands of producers that they may yield
larger percentages of profit to the various in
terests intervening before ultimate use Let us
confess in full sincerity, and with plain under
standing of the facts, that these exactions on
agriculture and its products are in nowise
singular or strange but rather the inevitable
of folly displayed by farmers them
selves. They have titled the fields cared for
their flOcks, garnered the harvests and marketed
the increase without reference to influences con-
stantly tending to reduce their part in the re-
wards. They had yielded to the direction and
dictation of other interests with astonishing self
abnegatiOn until at last the prevailing sentiment
relegates them to the soil as fixtures too low in
the scale of intelligence to deserve part or share
in the administration of affairs In politics they
are wiling obsequious slaves, ready ALWAYS to
heed the behests of party leaders. They gorify
and worship party idols, and at the polls debase
manhood in perfunctory articulation of the party
then 90 to their labor hammered and