The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-02-26

| charge properly, the pleasant duty assigned
me of speaking for this body, feel author
lied in saying, that such sentiments, so
beautifully expressed by you, will tend to
strengthen and stimulate us all in the dis
charge of the arduous duties and labors of
this Session. While some of us have travel
ed hundreds of miles, and come into your
midst as comparative strangers, the gener-
Gus hospitality of your noble citizers, their
intelligence and worth were not unknown
to us. Their reputation had already ex-
tended to our distant homes, and even du-
ring our few hours sojourn in your beauti-
ful 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 this large assembly
the largest that has met in this capacity
for several years; when we behold the
! hopetulness, the earnest determination de-
| piCted on every countenance, we take fresh
| courage. Not only the impress of progress.
but also that of permanency 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
staid 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-
rily compared the tall and stately pines
that met our gaze along its line, to many
| earnest men and wOmen-members of our
Order-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 and 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
edifiCe. These all reminded me of the OBJ
! jects, 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 ard proudly
boas. of advancement, social, material and
| intellectual, and we do point with pride
and satisfaction to the results that have
ben 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-ou of these United States, shows
conclusively. that the prefix National is
not misappled. The fact that Massachu-
sets stood shoulder to 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, of which the
world has little knowledge, and l 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 fondcst wishes in refe =
cnCe to the present meeting may be fully
| realized. In the name of tt csc Patrons
| again thank you for this cordial greet
! ing.
The Worthy Master announced
the following
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Lar and fuyisbrudenee-B.B Boone,
T. L. Darden, w. B. J. Barnett, Sister
Smith.
Finance and Accoumts.-M. Lyle, S. 3
] Gilbert, VIII ]. Crisler, F. a. Howell, F.
| Webster.
C0mbhaints and Grte0G"ces.-J. M.
Causey, d. H. Alverson, Isaac Smith, w.
T. Sanditer E. NJ. Franks.
EdncatiOn.-J. NJ. Causey, ]. NJ. Graf
ton, J.. P. Abney, ]. R. Galtney, Sister H.
A. Ably.
Suggestions for tie Good of the order.
j G. Macarthur, w. T. Stone, B. B.
Taylor, d. w. Pc en-, Sister Lou Rob
| ertson.
Co-obertion-G w Gill, I. c. Wood
ward, A. NJ. Woods, S. Hodges, Sister
]. 6. Macarthur.
AgyicHhure.-W. T. Robertson, w. !.
Sandfer, c. Nettervile, T. M. Merritt, r .
| NJ. Carruth.
Worthy Master Darden then read
his
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
| BrOthers and Sisters: We have reach
ed that point in the history of our Order
when apologies for the Grange and ex-
p essions of hope for its success, or fears
| OF its future have ceased to be in order.
| TIE &c hI;ebaI - & cat