The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-12-22

| Dallot DoX, we can assert and secure
our rights aud that we can make the
laws of this country, like the gentle
dews of heaven, fall upon all with the
same measure of impartiality and
evenness. Renewed applause.
Now, we do not say much more
when we are in private than when we
are in public session, aud may say to
those of our people who feel that they
are, somehow or another, restrained
from blonging to secret organization,
that they are much mistaken when
they assume that there is something
going on inside of grange that is
not just exactly the thing exposed to
public view. To place our class upon
an equality with every other class was
the end for which oranges were in
stituted, and we will not be satisfied
until we accomplish that end. There
is no stigma in the term "Grange' or
"Granger." Its Specification is well
understood.
Concerning the Importance of our
industry of which our worthy master
has spoken, let me suggest TO you the
query as TO what would be the conse-
quences to the world if we would give
up any department of our industry.
because 1t was not remuneratlve, even
for season. Of course the gentlemen
who control the great agent, that won
derful force Of fire and steam (who,
the moment they fail to realize fifty or
sixty per cent upon their investments
complain that their industries are all
perishing) can stop the wheels of bus
mess and can let their operatives turn
to some other pursuit-which, by the
way, is sometimes to beg of farmers
but we cannot do that. Our power is
that of animal force; and if we would
put our teams away, in the beginning
OF winter, and grease them up with a
little Kerosene, as the great manufac-
turers do their machinery, we would
have to take them out to the bone
factory in the spring. Laughter. I
We are forced TO go steadily on. If
we would go off to Long Branch, Sar-
atoga or Cape May for just one sum-
mer and have good time (though we
might possibly borrow the money to
go), and would neglect to gather
forage and make provision for our
stock through winter such as the
present one, where would the country
get its beef and the actual necessaries
of life?
These considerations should incite
on the part of every other class of
people desire for our prosperity. l
know that the best minds of the coun-
try are with US, and there are many of
our public men whom we will not
forget. Among them is the chief
magistrate of this state, to whom we
are indebted for his presence on every
occasion when we have met and for
his words of cheer and his comprehen-
sion of the aims and purposes we have
in view. 1t is men such as he who
are tit to govern. Applause.
Patrons, ladies aud pentlemen. 7
will not occupy your attention further.
appreciate the importance of main
tanning this organization and know
that if you would give more attention
to 1t our success would be better assur
ed. True we have mistakes. We
take but small amount of dues from
our members, and, before we knew it,
our treasury was bankrupt. We have
not the power to recuperate by levying
taxes but we have honesty enough to
borrow money to pay the debt laugh
ter and to return all that we borrow.
But l congratulate you upon the fact
that we will defray all expenses this
year and have some thousands of
dollars surplus. l regard the humble
agency have had in assisting to
briug about that result as one of the
best labors of my life. l believe that
upon the next occasion of the assem-
bling of the State Grange we will
have money enough not only to pay
the expenses of our friends who come
to the State Grange but to give them
mileage, not such as is paid to the
public representatives whom we paw
but enough to defray some portion Of
the expenditures incidental to an an
nual meeting 1t will be remembered
ina, Tor some six years every member
who has attended State Grange
meeting has betrayed his expenses out
OF his own pocket. What kind of a
legislature could you assemble at
Harrisburg if that rule was the law of
the state l have no idea that thew
would stay l59 days, Melriment. !
The speaker here retired under cover
OF fresh outburst of applause.