The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-05-20
STATE GRANGE.
MASTERS OFFICE
ASPEN HILL, May IS. 1882.
To the Patrons of Tennessee.

To the Patrons of Tennessee.
1t is gratifying to note the i'm
proved prospects of the order in
several sections of the State, and in
addressing a word of encourage
ment to those who are still hopeful
and laboring to advance the cause,
we do SO with the conviction that
a prosperous future is within our
reach. The number of active
Oranges, has been increased during
the present year by the reorganiza-
ton of several dormant Oranges,
and the addition of a new one, and
many of them are adding to their
membership. One Lecturer, who
has been travelling through some of
our Western counties in the interest
of the Order, reports encouraging
progress. He gives renewed con-
firmation of healthy Grange sem
timent and an evident desire to
start afresh in the work.
One of the greatest obstacles be
encountered, way in the want of
preparation for his coming. His
labers would be much more salts
factory, and his time greatly econo-
missed if the brethren would arrange
meetings is advance The county
deputies and others should co oper-
ate with them and should at once
open communication with him that
this many be done. Oranges desir-
ing aid should arrange meetings
and advise with either abe Lectur-
er or secaetary, and counties with>
ont active deputies, should at once
send up the names of suitable per-
sons for the Office.
We desire to impress upon the
minds of our friends in every sec
ton, the importance of prompt To-
cal effort The State Grange is
ready to meet the demands of the
hour as far as is possible. 1t has
been laboring, under great Difficult
ties for several years, to relieve it
self feom an onerous debt contract-
ed in the earlier days of the Order,
and whice has crippled its efforts
to advance the cause. With the
payments of that debt however, our
future brightness, and we are gath
ering strength for more active field
work, active local effort by our
friends, will greatly contribute to
this end, and, indeed, no moral COM
munity can afio d to do without the
Grange.
It's social and educational features
which are of the greatest direct
value to the formers, gives to it a
peculiar. claim upon them. 1t is
within the power of every Grange
to promote these ends, and to make
itself blessing to. the community
in which it exists. Patrons every
where, for their own good, for the
great benefits to the young, and to
sonity at large, should labor dill
gently to advance these features of
the Order, as we advance these in
terests, we shall become more fa-
niliar with the principles cf co-op-
erative-in buying and selling, and
in promoting our political interests
by harmony of thought and action,
for the farmers ofour whole State,
have not only a common interest in
material questions, but ia political
questions as well.
The general demand for improv-
ed methods in agriculture, in the
protection of its interests, and in
meeting the political exigences that
are upon up, can only find a re-
sponse in that intelligent co-opera-
ton, the Grange makes possible.
In the present condition of our in
dustrial interests and in the distract
ed state of the public mind, the far
mers of our State, grand con-
trolling power, satisfy their man-
hood by neglecting an instrumen
tality so well adapted, in its possi-
bilities, to promote their interests.
1t would be a mischievous mis-
take for the individual Grange to
conclude that it did not possess
within itself. the power to advance
the cause. Let each strive to pros.
per its own interests, and in this
effort it will strengthen and encour-
age others.
The present severe, and we trus'
temporary disabilities under which
we labor from the drouth of las
year will, perhaps, impede active
work to some extent for the pres
ent, but we should signal the re
turn of prosperity by new de
parture in the work of building VI
the Order in Tennessee, and We re