The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-01-12
The Farmers Grange.

=
he natural outgrowth of a well-founded
plan on the part of those directly inter- |
ssted in the great productive interests of |
The country for an organization having |
for its object our elevation as a class, |
and the better protection and advance |
ment of our material interests. Ii is |
upon the necessities of hus-
bandry, and has no purpose hostile to
any other useful vocation, profession or
calling, and if we, the farmers of this
are but true to ourselves and
posterity, it cannot pass away until the
necessities which called it into exist
ence have been answered, and the
noble work for which it was intended
and to which it is so admirably adapted
has been thoroughly accomplished. 1T
is a progressive organization" in the
language of Brother Blanton, of Vir-
ginia. Nearly all the great reforms
agitating the public mind and engaging
the attention of the best men of the
country have their origin in this famous
organization, and when some day in the
future the impartial historian shall make
an accurate and correct record of the
great and important measures which
we're adopted for the relief of the indus
trial interests of the country, and which
have the effect of placing our country on
the highway to prosperity, wealth, in
Huence and power, the Grange will stand
forth prominently as the great protector.
From the earliest period in our histo-
ry as Nation agriculture has been rec
ognized as our greatest industry, and as
sumed the first place among the wealth.
producing interests of the country. 1t
has been credited with being the founda-
ton and support of all other interests,
and while it contributes more to the
support of the Government and to the
general wealth of the country than all
the other interests combined, and fur
nishes employment to about one-half of
our entire population, the fact remains
that it pays less per cent. of profit and
receives less consideration from the
law-making bodies of the country than
other interests of less general import
ance; and this condition is not the re-
suit of any natural cause, but is tracea-
BILE to determinations made against
our industry under color, or in the alb
sence of, necessary and proper provis-
ions of law. And this, my friends, is but
the natural result of the general indiffer-
ence manifested by our moral population
| in public affairs, and no change or re-
form can be hoped for while we continue
our neglect and permit those having no
interest in common with us to direct in
matters in which our greatest interest is
| involved. Then let us awaken to the
| importance of the situation, and by the
proper application and intelligent direc-
tion of the power in us vested by reason
| of numerical strength control the action
| of the respective political organizations
to which be belong, to that extent
which will not only secure recognition
but distribution of functions and bene
fits among the several interests repre-
sented in proportion to their respective
importance and direct bearing upor
the general welfare.
In the language of the Committee OF
Agriculture, reported and adopted at the
last session of our National Grange
"Let us unite our strength with those O
other industries to the end that the dan
gers lurking in strictly partisan man
agement of public affairs may be elimi
mated; that corrupt party strife ma,
incur the odium it deserves; that tn,
elective franchise may become the tru'
1
that the useful industries of all our peo
pie in every calling may receive jus
consideration; that intelligence, capabil
ity and worth may become the recog
nized qualification forpersons designate'
to official trusts; that money shall ceas
to be a potent factor in determining
nominations and elections to Office, an
8 that the Government may return to tina
simplicity that BELTS frugal and indus
trious people"
In short, it is my honest convictio
that no adequate consolidation of ou
industrial interests can be expecte
! from those whose personal interests ir
cline them in other directions, and W
have no right to complain while we n
I main inactive and submit to the dict;
ton of self-constituted leaders who,
their efforts to control nominations, s,
j cure elections and sway the legislatio
| of the country, often manifest an uttt
disregard for law, common honesty an
e those virtues which are the prop of r
;. publican institutions, and upon whio
our various liberties depend for SUI
port.
Nothing new, of special importanc
e has been developed upon the importa
question of transportation since our la
meeting. The position assumed by o.
organization years ago, and sustain,
by the courts, to-wit: The right of Il
people to prescribe, regulate and CO
Ie troll rates of freight and fare over ra
,s roads and other lines of transportatio
and prohibit all unjust discriminate
e by law, is growing in favor, and beil
oIr
Trade, Chambers of Commerce al
" Anti-monopoly Leagues all over t
t country, as the means best calculated
a restrain corporate power, and to secu
to all industries, interests, sections,
u calities and individuals, equal and ju
t, rights and privileges at a cost corr
spending to the value of the servic
y rendered; the correctness of our po
De ton having been fully vindicated, a
i. the general policy by us advocated ha
ing been accepted by others as CORE
G. it becomes our duty to stand firmly
is our oft-repeated and clearly defined r
sition upon this important question.
&c Cooperation being the great und
ed lying principle of our Order, our pre-
of ress in every department of Gran
work will be measured by our kno'
W edge and the proper application OF
On principles in the work undertaken
our organization. Cooperation in
true sense means just what we in {
declaration of purposes have propos
a. to do-meet together, talk together, al
in general, act together for our prot
ls- ton and advancement. Labor unit
,rs combines our efforts; act jointly, a
direct our strength and exert our inl
nt ence throughout the organization.
sst these thoroughly, and success will
NJ assured, and in proportion as we
80 frain, or fail to promptly apply the tt
ed principles Of cooperation in our effc
,m to accomplish the desired results, f
ures and disappointments may be
eSs pected. Though not essential to
sns ssn IN Ddy
ht, | a;aoa ,ra Eou uo of tod tho y,ro N