The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-03-22
The Grange-Its Origin and Future.
AIassachlIseiLs Plnunhman

Massachusetts, PlOughman.
Since the recent meeting of the National
Grange at Washington, and while the sever
al State Oranges in different sections of the
country are holding their meetings, a re-
newal OF public interest in the organization
is clearly manifested, and inquiry Is awak-
ened among farmers who have not as vet
enlisted in it in respect to its origin, intent
and character and the cause of the well-re-
membered Grange uprising in an extended
section of the country. Fifteen years ago,
the idea OF the modern agricultural Grange
was conceived in the brain of an individual
in the Agricultural Department at Wash
ington, who had been specially commission
ed, after the close of the war, to travel
through the Southern States and collect in
formation to be embodied in the Commits
siOneT's annual report.
Tne idea cherished was this: That if the
great agricultural classes of the North and
South could be induced to establish such
close relations of sympathy ard honor as
notably characterize the Masonic brother
hood, the difficult work of reconciliation
between the sections would be very greatly
assisted. 1t was one of the happest OF
thoughts and was based on the broadcast of
foundations. For of all the various callings
of our people, agriculture had the least oc-
casiUn to oster passions and prejudices, and
was the readiest and most generous to for
give and forget. Furthermore, the South was
almost entirely engaged in agriculture in
which the great west could sympathize.
This was the originating motive of the
Grange. Out of that Immediately grew the
iuea of cooperation. The Grange could be
employed as an effective agent, also, in
bringing people in the same localities closer
together in cultivating mutual sympathies
and in furnishing common protection.
The members gradually discovered, that
the cooperative idea could be developed
into one of the largest individual impor-
taHee. 1t would help them to purchase
farming implements aud supplies to a bet
ter advantage, saving the profits to them
selves. 1t was not long after this, however,
that unexpected event occurred, by reason
OF which the Grange eventually took a new
departure, The great uprising of the farm
ers of the West against monopoly in all its
forms will not soon be forgotten.
The farmers rose up almost in a body to
demand reform. They declared that they
had suffered long enough. They felt that
they held the power finally, and they were
resolved to exercise it vigorously. The
Grange was already established. They
caught hold of it as if by instinct, as the
most effectual means of saving themselves
and maintaining their position. As if by
magic, the Grange filled up and became
strong and aggressive. The agents who
We're employed in the work of their .estab-
lishmeDt telt amszingly encouraged. 1t
was an entirely new era ia the existence of
the Grange And thus realizing the fact of
their organized power, while smarting un-
der the recollection of past grievances and
determined to provide against their repeti-
tion, they iell upon certain of the existing
interests with fury that seemed unwilling
to be satisfied with anything less than their
destruction 1t was an ominous uprising
of a Whole class, goaded by a sense OF ipjus-
tice long suffered that filled the air with its
honest threats and seemed to care little Tor
the multiplication of perils.