The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-03-04
Eia Objects of The Grange and
Their Effects,

she objects of The Grange and
Their Effects.
The following essay was read
before the Washington County Po-
mona>Grange at Holidays Cove,
w. Va, by Brother A q. Lee:
1t has been wisely said that "Hu
man happiness is the acme of earth
ly ambition" Happiness can more
readily be attained in proportion to
the prosperity of the individual;
and prosperity is the result of in
dustry and economy, combined with
some degree Of intelligence, wheth-
er hereditary or acquired. The
more intelligent the individual, the
community, or the nation, that much
more power is it able to WELD, and
that much better able to protect
itself from those who would oppress
or defraud. Therefore, "Knowl-
edge is the foundation of all true
happiness" ;"
According to our authorities ''the
ultimate object of our noble organ
ization is for our m utual instruction
and protection, to tighten labor by
ditfusing knowledge of its aims
and purposes, and to enlarge our
views of creative wisdom and pow
er." 1t is our endeavor to bring
forth a higher, more noble type of
manhood among those who con-
meet themselves with us, to see that
all labor to make our own sphere
in life more attractive, our homes
more beautiful and comfortable; TO
make our calling more dignified,
by showing to the world that
we are comparatively independent;
that we are able to produce for our
selves and are not ashamed to be
known as producers; in other
words, that we are loyal Grangers
and take justifiable pride to- day
in showing outsiders that we have
a laudable object in view, and that
many more would be immeasurably
benefited by initiating our example.
We are told to systematic our
work, and calculate inteIligentiy on
probabilities, to discounenance all
systems to prodigality and bank
ruptcy. The primary object of the
Grange was that the tillers of the
soil might Be brought into closer
social relations than formerly. This
object, which our venerable founder
had in view, has been more than
realized in the vast numbers who
sought for admission into an insti
tuition whose growth was unprece-
dented in the annals OF secret socie-
ties. Although we admit it was of
fungus nature, yet Objectionable
elements which then succeeded in
penetrating the walls of the Grange
was soon purged out in different
ways, leaving a band of noble
workers in the cause who are so
generously and intelligently repre-
sented here to-day. All secret so.
cieties possess some features that
recommend them TO public favor
none of you will doubt, and few
extracts from a lecture delivered by
Mr.. Flood, in Meadville, Penn,
will be admissible here:
Every organization, like every
man, must be judged by its charac-
ter, by the good or evil it does. To
condemn secret organizations indis-
criminately is unreasonable and un-
scriptural, for in doing so we may
fight against some agencies for do
ing good and condemn men who
are our superiors in both wisdom
and goodness.
"Both the government and the
church has its secret service and
work, and if we condemn either
we condemn all. If man has any
right at all it is the right of privacy.
To disturb individuals or organiza-
tions in the exercise of this right
would overthrow civil liberty itself,
and deprive the human soul of
communion with its Maker.
AMEN must not Judge Others by
their belonging to secret societies
when they are not acquainted with
the secrets or character of that or
der, for it does not aim to control a
mans conduct unless it is to i'm
prove it. No man is justified in an
unintelligent opposition to any
cause, or body of men. He should
know why he Objects
Flood further says: "Wives and
mothers who have offered serious
objections to their husbands and
sons knowing more of some things
than they do have grown milder in
their objections"
So much for the opposition, and
the latter is entirely overcome in
our Order by the opening of our
doors for the admission of the Ia
dies, and we affirm that the Grange