The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-06
THE OLDEST AND THE BEST.
'sThe Grange and It's Advantages M
a Farmers Organization.

Editor Press and Banner:
| While so many "Wheels," ALLIANCES" and
other associations are being formed, all osten-
siply for the advancement OF The interests ol
the farmer, desire to say a few words In be-
half OF the "Grange, ut one timei II iohTlSh-
! ing organization in Abbeville county and but
| for the indifference and non-ilttendance ut
meetings of its membership, would still be Il
power and benefit to all connected.
The Grange is not dead. IT. only sleeps. Its
precepts and teachings are not forgotten, nor
discarded by It's old members. You will never
hear q man who has once affiliated with 1t
speak In any manner, dorogatOry OF 1ts WORK,
It's declaration OF principles, or OF tne penents
derived from association Herewith, but the
universal comment Is, "The Grunge isa good
thing. 1t is the best organization the farmers
have ever had"
ty. 1t Is active and working in other portions
OF South Carolina. and its members derive all
the benefits promised, intellectually, morally
and financially. Local schools arc controlled
building known as the "Grnngs Hall' has
been built. the first floor used as the school
house, and the second floor for Grange meet
better arrangements In finance (when needed)
than any community can do not organized.
Allow me to divert just here to give an IL
lustration Of II Oranges credit In business cir
cles. am, and have been member OF the
Grange at Greenwood for seventeen years,
and while living there ! was an agent for sale
of fertilizers. | used to buy fertilizers for my
own use, through my Grange, as ] could do
so cheaper than the company would al low an
agent to sell 1t. even to himself. The Grange
clubbed its orders and its cash, or q Grange
note Mt per cent, and ordered by car loads at
reduced rates, while my stock was TO retail
and sell ION liens" to outsiders.
But to return. In 1876 when there were fif-
teen active Oranges IN Abbeville county,
there was less complaint among the farming
community than there Is today, and we had
heavier burdens then to bear than we have
now. Then, there was solid farmers organ
ization existing, we'll disciplined and working
under Grange rules. They met in council and
changed on various topics of interest to the
Grange, whether 1t be the sowing OF small
grain, the cost Of making pound OF cotton,
the Is mo now TO Keep a lat
for Office, and the management of county Of
fairs, was not unfrequently discussed: :,
Farmers now are loo segregated. They need
more to be brought In contact on business
principles. Nothing like a "touch of the ell
bow" to drive away depression. They should
meet together, talk together, work together,
buy together, sell together and act together
for mutual protection and advancement, and
in their local Oranges?
Grange in any community properly con-
Quoted Is elevating, instructive and beneficial
to all connected, for within its doors are
charity, and to add to It's social features wo-
men are admitted as members. Financially,
it advocates: Pay as YOU CO." "Buy less
cheapest, and sell to the best advantage.". 1t
antagonizes no other interest whatever, but
endeavors to bring the farmer and the manu-
facturer into most direct and friendly rela-
tions by dispensing with surplus Of middle
men, to reduce expenses, and make Its men,
bers more self.sustaining.
/ believe, Mr.. Editor, that q revival of the
Oranges throughout the county. and the for
nation OF new ones, would liven up the spir-
its of our detected farmers and result in great
good to all communities. AS Deputy, author
at its late session, will, If so desired, attend
to any requests where dormant Grange eX-
lists, or there is disposition manifested to
form new one.
DR.. w. B. Millwee, of Greenwood, is also a
deputy for this county, and will join ne In
this direction. Respectfully,
~ A. M. AIKEN.