The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-15

siastically received and referred to the
Committee on Division of Labor Ito be
appolntedl. The Lecturer, +. P. Walker,
made report of his work during the past
year The other officers were called upon
and made their reports
The roll OF Oranges was called and the
delegates made reports of the workings of
the Order in their localities.
The following is the
Annual Report of the Master of the
State Grange.
BRETHREN AND SISTERS: This il the
tenth annual report that /, as Master, have
had the honor to submit to the State
Grange of Mississippi. During this time
many changes have taken place in The
State, in the condition of farmers, and of
our Order. Some of these changes midi
cate progress aud advancement; others
do not.
Ten years ago our State, redeemed from
the corrupt rule of adventures, threw off
the decentralization produced by the civil
war, and sain took up the march of pro-
gress, improvement and civilization. The
advancement made in the State during
these ten years is attested by the many
mile. of railroads that have been built
by the number of factories, of different
kinds that have been put into successful
operation by the establishment of the A.
q NJ College to teach boys practical farm
ing; by the establishment of the I. /. Col
lege for the industrial education of girls
improved facilities for public education
and by the improved public sentiment
which irowns upon the violation of law,
upon the prostitution Of the public service
to the advancement of selfish ends, and
denounces in unmeasured terms any
INrERFEREN0E WITH THE BALLOT BON,
as an assault upon the stability of our
Democratic institutions.
These changes indicate progress and ad
vancement. Ten years ago the farmers of
Mississippi were, comparatively, prosper
GUS and contented. Money was cheap,
credit good, and confidence not destroy
ed. They controlled their crops and
shipped their cotton to New Orleans, Mo,
bile and other markets They worked with
a will and determination TO regain their
fortunes that challenged admiration. But
all their efforts seem 10 have been in vain,
the close OF c tch year has found them
in a worse condition than the preceding.
To-day We fnd them struggling under heavy
mortg ,ge4, paying rltn rus rates OF interest
on ali indulgebces, with personal credit and
business cOu6dence destroyed by unlriend-
ly legislation. They no longer control the
sale OF their cotton, few having ac-
counts in Mobile, New Orleans or any
where except with local merchants. They
do not work with that spirit and animation
that chAracterizes hopeful people. A
feeling of unrest and encouragement exists
among them, which is being manifested
at every election, in the public press, and
in every other possible manner.
These changes do not indicate pro
gress and advancement, and loudly call
upon our leading men for their best
thought and action.
Ten veafs ago the Grange was prostrat-
ed Nv The reaction which came after a too
rapid organization, and the miscouception
OF its true principles and purposes. From
this pros alton it rallied, and is now firm
" established To it is due the credit for
much of the progress made in the State,
and to it alone an organization thinking
farmers must look for relief from the I'M
just burdens that now Cypress agriculture.
1t is not as strong and active in our State
az is desirable, but we believe the spirit
which animates the Order in other States,
and is triumphantly overriding every OBJ
stacle TO a successful agriculture, will re-
assure the Patrons of Mississippi, and
that no backward steps will be taken"
There are some important lessons to be
learned from this brief
REVIEW OF THE LAST TEN YEARS.
During this period the manufacturing
and commercial interests have progressed
very rapidly, while agriculture, upon
which all depends, not only for prosperity,
but for subsistence, has been languishing,
and its votaries have become very poor
and dependent The reason OF this is
plain to any thinking and observing man.
Since the war, the legislation OF the State
and nation has encouraged and protected
the commercial and manufacturing inter
ests in every possible manner, even by vio-
lating the constitution, in order to exempt
them from taxation; while agriculture
has received little or no encouragement or
protection, but has mad to bear the bur
dens of the exemptions and subsidies ac-
corded the other interests.
The credit is given the Grange of deveI-
oping the sentiment which resulted in es-
tablishing the A. 4 VI. College at Stark
vile, the Industrial Institute and College
at Columbus, repeating the agricultural
lien law, the passage OF laws restraining
railroad companies, and preventing public
officers from accepting brides from them in
the shape OF free passes.
How did the Grange accomplish these
objects Was it by passing high-sounding
and defiant resolutions, and sending hum
bic petitions to the powers that be p Not
at all. The members cf he Grange made
the direct issue in the political campo gus,
and refused support to any candidate FOR
the Legislature who would not stand
pledged to accomplish these objects.
There are some very significant lessons
to be learned from this:
/. Relief to agriculture must come
through legislation, and friendly legisla-
fion can only be secured BY farmers vot-
ing Tor those who are pledged, and known
TO be in sympathy with The people.
2. When farm r unite and help them
selves. others will help them the press
will help them pa bic men will help them;
and success will crown their efforts but
they sink into meritei contempt in COM
planning of wrongs heaped upon them,
when they are largely IN the majority, and
could easily Correct lneir grievances at the
ballot box.
3. No attention or respect has ever been
shown the resolutions and petitions of the
Grange by politicians, political parties or
the Legislature, but whenever we have
taken stand upon any question and shos
that we meant business" success has fol-
lowed
MoSoPoLIEs
control the Legislatures OF the State and
nation, exempting their properly from tax
alton I; thus forcing almost the entire sup
port OF the government upon agriculture
and otherwise taxing il, to Fill their Golfers,
ALL