The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-02-25
Address of DIR. > M. Blanfon
Master. e. tere The Virginia
state Grange at Alex amt fiii,

oChlDl0 III 0nlo OAC y Al tAAt0 @ttY. w
consult together and take action in.
regard to those matters which affect
US, not only as individuals, but as
citizens.
The year through which we have
Just passed has been remarkable in
many respects, and while we as
| husbandmen, on account of the dis
astrous seasons. have not received
the full measure of reward for our
toll and labor, vet, we have Cause
to be thankful that a kind Provi-
dence has watched over us, and
given sufficient "bread for the eater
and seed for the sower."
1t is matter for congratula-
ton, that though in our eff
forts as practical agriculturists
in the field of labor have not
been so successful as we would
have desired, our efforts in that
broader and higher sphere in which
we have for So long a time and so
patiently labored gives promise of
rich and glorious harvest.
When, as Patrons of Husbandry,
we cast our eyes over the extended
field occupied by our organization.
when we consider the PROGRESS to
grand results which has been made,
when we pause and reflect upon
what has already been accomplish
ed and fully comprehend the posi-
bilities, yea the probabilities, which
lie just ahead of us, we may well
feel proud that we have given our
time, our labor, our money, to a
cause SO good and SO great.
There is nothing in the general
outlook to dishearten the weakest
Patron, but there is much to en-
courage, strengthen and stimulate
to further efforts and more earnest
work.
Time and again this State Grange
has made known the wishes Of the
farmers, time and again resolutions
in regard to great measures of re-
form have been framed and passed,
time and again it has given EXPIRES
sion to its reasonable demands in
reference to matters which were
regarded as of vital importance to
those who till the soil. and now the
prospect bids fair that the seed
which were sown will produce a
harvest such as will bring Joy to the
| hearts of those who have persist
emily labored for the good of all
classes of our people.
Nor is this favorable and pronis.
ing condition of affairs confined to
our own State. The National body,
composed of representative from
all the States, has quietly gone on
with its work of reform and pro-
gress, and though for a long while
there was not much to give conf
dence that the results would likely
be such as were ardently desired
yet there is good reason TO believe
that the very measures which have
been SO constantly pressed upon
the consideration of our Represent
atlves and Senators in the Congress
of the United States, are now en-
gaging the minds and commanding
the efforts of many of the best and
wisest men of this country.
The impression no longer pre-
walls that the Grange was instituted
for the purpose of waging an ag-
gressive war upon the legitimate
business of any class or any profess
sion of men. That idea, if it ever
did really exist, has long since been
thrown aside as unworthy of a
place in the mind of any sensible
and reasonable man, and the wiser
and more rational conclusion has
been reached that the farmers
throughout this great country see
ing and feeling the necessity of an
organization, based upon princi-
Piles such as are acknowledged as
right and proper, organized the
Grange as an organization in which
its members would be in position
to foster and guard their own
rights, advance their own interests,
and at the same time march for
ward in that direction which would
accomplish most good to all classes
of our citizens.
For long years the farmers of the
country had no real organization,
and every one was left to act for
himself and take care of his inter-
ests as best he could This left him
to fight single-handed and alone the
battle of life, and in many cases
against the combined capital and
the cooperative efforts of those
who, recognizing the power of
united action, had formed crganiza-
tons to accomplish the very things
which farmers believed to be against
their interests. When the farmers
recognized this same power of CO.
operation, and sought to utilize it
through farmers organization, it
was not strange that those who had
reaped so great an advantage from
it should cry out against the Grange,
and by all means possible-fair and
unfair, just and uniust-bring itinto
disrepute. and if possible destroy
its efficiency.
1t was considered as legitimate,
too, by some to worm themselves
into the organization, and being in
side of the gates to use their inhu.
ence and power to defeat the very