The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-07-18
Introductory.

We are happy to make the acquaint-
ance of the old WATCHMAN readers in
this department of the now leading
journal of Vermont. We are happy
because it enables us to reach much
larger number of readers and will, we
trust, widen the sphere of our useful
ness in this line of work We are glad,
also, to be able to place the principles
of the order, the work it has done and
is now doing for the farming interests
and the general welfare of the country,
before so many intelligent readers.
The Patrons of Husbandry constitute
a great national organization, existing
in all of the states and territories and
in the Dominion of Canada. 1t is a
farmers organization. Its large and
increasing membership is composed of
the best farming element in the coun-
try. Its objects are to develop better
and higher manhood and womanhood
among farmers, to enhance the COM
forts and attractions of their homes,
and strengthen their attachments to
their pursuits, to foster mutual under
standing and cooperation, to maintain
inviolate the laws, and "to emulate each
other in labor to hasten the good time
coming" These specific objects, among
others equally deserving, are the fun
damental principles upon which the Or
der was founded and upon which it is
working to-day. 1t will give us pleas
ure to present them to the more imme-
date attention of our new readers, and
to discuss in this column the social and
economic questions involved-ques-
tons intimately connected with the
prosperity of the state and nation.
Vermont is almost wholly an agri-
cultural state, and its prosperity, pres
ent and prospective, depends upon the
intelligence and the progressive spirit
of the farming population. Conse-
quently every available means should
be employed to educate farmers, to
give them a higher appreciation of
their calling and of themselves, and to
enable them to reap the just rewards
of their labors. The grange comes to
us as an educator Its mission is to
seek the highest good not only of its
members, but the community at large.
1t aims to teach its members not only
- Co I,,t In4N
citizens also, having broader and more
comprehensive views upon all ques-
tons of state and national importance.
The grange in Vermont is earnestly
laboring for the accomplishment of
these ends. Its membership is harmo-
NOUS, it is growing stronger and has
shown its ability to profit by expert
ence and the mistakes of the past.
Its work in Vermont has not been hid
under a bushel. Its influence in legis-
lation, its open meetings for the dis
cussion of timely topics and questions
of importance, are matters of public
record. Particularly have its efforts
during the past year in securing the
decision of the interstate commerce
commission at Rutland distinguished
it and given it national reputation.
But the grange in Vermont does not
rest upon past achievements. 1t regards
them as guarantees of greater activity
and usefulness in the future, and we
ask the readers of the WATCHMAN who
are not members of the order to assist
in the work of this great social and
educational organization and to help
in pushing forward the high objects it
has in view. This department will be
employed to keep our readers informed
of the work and progress of the order
in this and other states, and for the
discussion of such questions as may be