The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-07-14
A GnAsGE IEcr.ar.

member Of the National Grange.
visitorial labor can be done during
the long winter evenings with neigh
bors, grange literature can and should
be closely studied. Education is the
great work before us, but much of this
must be done at this season of the year
while we have leisure. Every member
and every farmer, should study and
educate him or herself, no as TO become
ccnversant with and fully understand
all matters affecting the farmers and
their interests, should study 'ceH all the
questions Of political economy. Should
post themselves en- the Affairs and man
agement of government, local and other
wise, no that they may understand thdr
rights and privileges as well as duties.
They should DO prepared TO meet every
obligation of true citizenship, and ready
to discharge the duties they owe to
themselves and their families, TO their
country and to God. This can only be
done by a close study OF every question
with which we have 10 deal We must
watch and work continually, for we are
met with a powerful opposition. The
enemies of the farmers movement are
continually on the alert, strengthening
themselves, and striving 10 weaken their
cause if they can.
Here ] am reminded Of having ro
Gently been severely criticised by n
partisan for using the term "enemy TO
the farmers" az though the farmers had
no enemy. IL in true that they should
not have, for they contribute largly TO
the prosperity and welfare of all classes
and interests. Were IL properly appre-
ciated, and an equivalent returned,
there wonld be no cause for complaint
But this is not done; AMI Ws say, with
out fear Of successful contradiction,
that those whe are preying upon the
farmers earnings and triaing with their
rights ara enemies. Would friend
charge forty cents for doing fifteen
cents worth of service, as do transpor'
tation companiesl Would n friend
take the advantage, 10 collect twenty OF
thirty per cent. interest on fictitious
capital, as do moneyed corporationAi
Would friend deceive and misload, A.
is the custom Of partisan politicians !
Would friend make promises b OBJ
tain personal favors, with view Of
breaking them upon the hrSt epportu-
nityl Would friend promise relief
from injustice, for the sake of getting
farmers votes, and then betray the
trustl No, friends " i'll do none Of these
things They who do them are only
pretended friends when are the worst OF
enemies And these are the men who
are 30 terribly exercised over tho Ear.
mers' movements. The, realize that
the Grange il educating its members
ul.en all important questions and issues
They also realize that when tho far
mera become thus educated. they can
then no longer be controlled by ttick
slers. Consequently they are opposed
to any movement that nay enlightsn
the farmers, or relieve them from: their
depressed condition. These pretended
friends have the power TO do this and
We knew where 10 Gnd them. The far
mers, however, havo the right to dc
fend themselves; and they are beginning
70 DO il quite nobly. Herein rests the
hope Of the future. There is not a
shadow Of hope Of justice frem pretend
ed friends. They ara not TO be trusted
We must, therefore. work out our own
salvation, and We must do il upon the
principles of right and justice towards
all men. Let us be up and doing, far,
ners. Do honest missionary work IN
your respective communities, Attend
every meetisg of the Grangn. Aid in
making 1t interesting and profitable
Build up your own organization, and
you advance your interesta. The only
hope for the farmers to-day, is the
Grange. II you desire TO be relieved
from your burdens Of injustice, and
save your children from system o.
slavery ten-fold worse than African
slavery ever was, it must Le done
through the fundamentally Of The
Grange. Relief will come only in pro
portion 10 our own efforts. Proper ex
ertion and faithful work will hasten the
good time coming. Neglect and un'
faithfulncss on our part will delay the
matter, and may cause defeat and de
feat means success 10 monopolies, Gnc
serfdom to the farmers. This is the
question in nut shell, and plainly
stated. The farmers have it in their
own hands, and they must decide wha'
the result shall be.
Farmers, pause aud consider vel
the duty and responsibility yon owe to
yourself and families. The questions
and the principles involved are of vita
Importance, and must and will be settled
orever one way or the other very soon.
And you and i will be held accountable
TO our children and childrens' children
for the part we take. 1t becomes us
then, to consider we'll, and act wisely
our part, upon the principles Of exac
Justice to all mankind. We mus
unite and work comparatively together
in orde. to accomplish desirable results.
Nowhere can we unite to educate anG
cooperate together except in th'
Grange. Let every farmer, therefore
with his family become regular attend
ants at Grange meetings, to educate ant
10 cooperate together in the great worl
for the general good.
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Repairing the Canal