The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-03-10
ADDITIONAL LOCALS.
Granger Logic.

hADAioN thNh HohAhrnNfh.
Our eyes were arrested. while skipping
down tho columns of last weeks Advance
lBangor) by this heading Granger Logic"
Being one of that class we eagerly and with
surprise read the following:
The farmers of this county are pursuing a
course that is conmendable, and one that IL
suro to have bearing upon the agricultural
development of this section that must tell
for the general good. Instead Of converting
the oranges into mere gossip assemblages
they have insugurated a system OF general
discussion of topics of interests TO tillers OF
the SOIL assigning subjects TO be treated for
meetings ahead, giving members an oppor-
tunity To study up and be prepared to IN
diligently dscuss the various phases OF the
question.
We read il twice, then pinched ourself, to
be sure we were not dreaming. Finding
ourself very much awake, the perspiration
stood in great drops on our intellectual pro-
fuberance III We meditated in this wise on the
situation. Here is an editor OF a live, edu-
cational paper, existing in civilized country
in the hast days Of the 18th century and the
18th year of the grange movement, and not
knowing that tho grange was anything but a
'.mere gossip sssemblage." Where has this
man lived, that he has never heard of Saun-
ders, Adams, Kelly, Thomson, Ireland, Arm
strong, Bartlett ana others, who not only
founded this order. but put into its workings
the energy and zeal that only such men
would devote 10 a worthy cause. But l will
come nearer home--hss he never heard of u
Woodman, Luce, Moore, Childs, Mickey, all
farmers and leaders of the order in this
State; yea more than that, tho Hon. j. j.
Woodman the plain practical farmer, ID also
the Worthy Master Of the National Grange,
and his honors do not make him proud
bit; but we grsngers are proud Of him, be-
cause he honoY his calling by earnest un
firing activity in lettering the condition of
the American farmer. Yes, farther still,
there is o paper edited and published by
grangers. Now Mr.. Burkett just send your
sheet (which is not an inferior one in the
main) up to Schoolcraft and ask J. T. Cobb
TO send you the Grange Visitor, and I assure
you in three months you will know more
shout this grange business than has ever
been dreamed Of in your philosophy. Gossip
assemblages, forsooth; let me quote from a
Berrien farmer: Through the executive
committees Of the State grange and the sta
blity of the patrons of Michigan, the plaster
ring was broken, also the Teal patent-right
gate swindle was sent where the woodbine
twineth, thus saving the people thousands Of
dollars royalty" / farther quote from one
of the sisters: "Has the grange met our
expectations? yes, more; it has given US the
mental stimulus we needed. We meet men
and women of our own class, and meet them
for purpose-not TO gossip, not to discuss
dress or fashion, but such themes IA will
elevate our standard in society, intellectually,
morally and politically" In word we are
taught 20 think and act for ourselves, too
long we have allowed others to do our think
ing for us. We would invite this editor to
attend some of our open oranges and hear
men and women Injured to hard, physical
labor, (which units one for prolonged men-
tai effort read essays and talk eloquently on
the subjects assigned them-oould all this be,
if the grange had ever been gossip assem-
bager Once more l quote and then am
done In the grange we are taught to en-
courage and elevate the noblest institutions
in the land, our common schools; that they
are specially designed to aid Us i'll the educa-
ton of our children, and not only ours but
the sons and daughters of the rich and the
poor, native and foreign born, who may
meet alike together and receive the materials
of good and respectable education. Let
us watch with sleepless eyes, this glorious
palladium, the common school. Let no pro-
fame hands be laid upon it, Let none seek
to destroy or pervert il from its legitimate
end the free and untrammeled diffusion of
knowledge through our land. GRANGER.