Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1890-01-09

uufImilIariiy with the usages Of
organized bodies, together with
their too common disposition TO
plOs! on n the old beaten track,
aud 10 leave TO others the care
of important interests. made II
difficult 10 iOstle them out of
the old ruts.
There could not, however,
have ever been a more fayora-
bic tIme for such a movement in
behalf of farmers than was
chosen for this. A languIshins
agriculture, and n sense of im
pending financial disaster. and a
desire tor relief, gave to it IN
it's earlier days degree of pros
perity unparalleled in the histo-
~ of farmers organizations. Ii
is true. y reaction followed. and
thousands who had given it en-
thusiastlc reception ut first grew
Indifferent to it's fortunes and
finally dropped away from its
support.
This resulted from n grave
mIscOnceptiOn of its real OBJ
Jects, and an exaggerated idea
of the nature and extent of the
benefits that we're to be derived
from it. Few appreciated then
its true value is a means OF pro-
noting the social, educational
and industrial interests of its
members. Many were too i'm
patient to possess the golden
egg to await the slow process
of growth and development in
accordance with the very natu
raj lesson, so fOreibly empha-
sized IN the ritual itself, that the
seed must be sOwn, cultivated
and harvested before the labor
er can realize the profits of his
toll.
But the waning popularity OF
tine Order in no section grew
out of inherent defects in the
organization, or the impractical
bility of its plans for improving
the condition of farmers, as has
been realized by those who kept
ihS faith, and as seen in results
that give the strongest assur-
ance of future success.
But 1t is unnecessary to dis
cuss now the causes OF "a decline
from which there has been, in
many sections, gratifying recov
cry Happily the day OF doubt
Is past aud brighter prospect
has dawIed upon il. ThIs is
due to a clearer conception OF
its true aims which now prevail.
the better knowledge OF the
principles of CO operation and
their application, the growing
Influence Of the Order. which is
felt rot only in the domain Of
the tarm, but in the halls of leg
islttion as well. and TO the
steady extension of its IItera
ture; which. through ably con
ducted Journals. is rapidly ind
ing its way 20 the homes of far.
meis throughout the country.
The admirable adaptation OF
the Grange TO exingencies which
out OF new conditions of life and
labor aud environments of the
grayest character. has received
widest acknowledgement. and its
superiority over the associa-
tons or ciuhs wiki which We
have heretofore been familiar,
has been most striking Those
other organizations have been.
too often, local in their opera
tons. too sGten in the interest
of a single branch OF husbandry.
and always short lived.
The Grange. on the other
hand, growing out of the most
untOward conditions, was 4 ne
eessity of the age, and has been
said not inaptly, to have been
an inspiration, and to-day, found
ed In the principles of right and
justice. IL asserts its claim 20
the fullest confidence. because
1t has survived its twenty sec
ond anniversary and is growing
stronger with advancing years.
The farmer Is surely tending.
and the mere rapidly through
t'range Influences, 20 n higher
civilization. though his progress
will be slow for awhile through
the want CT thorough organize.
uOn- This Is 4 chief requisite.
and 10 Its absence In the earlier
years OF the Order, We are IN
cc5ted for the decline TO which
We have referred. But though
there are many dormant Grang-
es, thew are only in the shadow.
they are living nuclei in which
Is preserved the germ that will
one day spring into life, aud Ne
shall have established new cen
tiers OF education progress, de-
vel0pnent and power.
There Is IN many sections
great need of actual field work.
The public advocacy ofthe prin-
eiples of the Order Is as import
ant now as il has ever been.
But We should not be discour-
aged. the educational work ouee
begun has grown steadily on:
lis principles have been sown
broadcast over the land and
have become fixed in the hearts