The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-03-18

If to prevent failures it is neces-
sary to point out such as have been
made, and to promote success it is
necessary TO show how it has been
obtained, does it not become our
bounden duty to cooperate in this
way for the good of the Order7
Some will say that to accomplish
this will take time and money, and
that the Grange has not the means.
I think nothing will be easier or
cheaper or more productive of good.
Let each Subordinate Grange APP
point correspondent, and let his
duty be to report at least semi annu-
ally to the two Grange papers. |
doubt not that both papers will
gladly publish these reports: and if
every Grange adopts the plan both
will be filed with matter of the
greatest importance and interest to
their readers. Let the Secretary be
instructed to prepare a short report
of each meeting, stating who were
present, who staid at home, and
what was done ofinterest Let these
reports be short and to the point.
A cooperative feature adopted on
this plan would insure such life in
every Grange as to stimulate the sue
cessful ones to renewed exertions
and greater efforts, and the weak
Oranges would rally and come to
the front to show that there was in
them as good material as in any-in
the State. All that is necessary is
to excite little spirit of generous
rivalry, desire to excel, wish to
promote the prosperity of cur Order
and increase its usefulness to its
members and the community at
large.
This suggestion may seem erratic,
but it comes to me after watching
the working of those Oranges
that have acted upon some SIM
liar plan of letting each know
what they were doing, and also by
watching those Oranges that from
some local cause have prospered,
while Immediately around them
others composed apparently of
equally as good material, have lam
guished and died. | have watched
those Oranges that have been held
together here and there by what
seems to be an invisible thread, in
which breath hardly exists, and yet
they fail to die. l have watched
these Oranges thst are apparently
lifeless until move to surrender
their charter is made, when they
rally to man and vote to continue
the good work, which means appa-
rently to sleep on until rallied again
into life to prevent the dissolution
of the Grange. | have known Gran
ges that never meet, and yet always
pay their dues more promptly and
regularly than many that meet reg
nlarly; in fact, | have seen Oranges
meet and seem interested in the well
fare and success :of the Order, and
yet fail to pay their State and Ma
tional dues.
Another class are a problem to
me, although they are few and far
between. | mean those that lived
and apparently prospered through
all the dark days of the Order, and
just as the day of prosperity began
to dawn upon us, and renewed life
and vigor was manifested through
out the whole country; just at a
time when their labor and toll was
about to be rewarded by a fruitful
harvest after a season OF hard cul-
tivation-yet strange as it may APP
pear-I've seen such Oranges Just
tat he most opportune time die. All
of these matters need careful study,
deep thought and earnest applica-
ton to the whole body, so as to as
sist and help the weak and to push
onward the stirring.
Such questions can only be treat
ed of successfully by a thorough
discussion of the subject in the sub
ject in the subordinate or county
Oranges; the latter are too few to
accomplish the good needed, and it
devolves upon the subordinate
Oranges to perform this work AS
it is work which would elevate
and promote the welfare and pros
perity of each Orange in the Com
monwealth, it should be labor of
love; labor of fraternity and char
ity. If any one can suggest bet
ter plan / will be only too glad to
assist them. What we need is
knowledge; discussion is the way to
disseminate it, and agitation will
keep the ball in motion.
My opinion is that once start the
subordinate Oranges chatting with
each other through our papers, and
there will soon be discussions and
arguments of the liveliest and most
interesting character, which will do
more to stimulate the strong and
encourage the weak and revive and
enliven the whole body than any
thing else that can at this time be
done. Fraternally,
A. J. WEDDERBURN,
q