The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-30
The Grange.
In relation to Grange work, Mr.
Mortimer Whitehead writes:

Mortimer Whitehead writes:
The conditions surrounding our great
farmers National organization are in
many respecls the same as those in the
first booming years of the Grange, when
it had become an assured success when
it had been proven that farmers would
organize, and could organize. 1t grew
and prospered, it commenced to take up
some of the great questions of monopoly,
it got in the way Of some of the giants
who were marching on regardless often
of law and the rights of the people, and
it said halt ! Then the trouble begen
from masked batteries, from open and
avowed assailants, yes even in a few
cases from the wolves in sleeps CLOTH
ing within the gates, came the shots
aimed at the very life of the Order.
Every possible plan to stir up dissen-
sion and create division was tried, party
and party politics, distrust and jealousy,
all were used, and in many cases sue
cessfully. Many who Joined the Order
because others did, who were good
smooth water sailors, or brave soldiers
in the time of peace, left the ship when
the storm arose. or deserted their COL
ors at the first shot from the enemy,
But the faithful who had enlisted for
the war, who. having put their hand to
the pillow. looked not backward, remain
ed, "noted for fidelity" But the good
ship stood the storm. the chaff had
gone, the fair weather friends had de-
parted All the open and covert at
tacks Of the enemy, all the ridicule and
misrepresentation had not shaken one
principle of the Order. 1t was founded
upon rock. But, it must be admit
ted. that several years followed during
which many of its best friends were
fearful of the future of the Grange.
The outside and open attacks almost
ceased. 1t YVES thought that the guns
of the Grange batteries in their warfare
upon monopoly for equal and exact jus.
tice to all had been forever silenced.
But "stll water runs deep" The
Grange was neither dead nor entirely
asleep. TIE sacred fire was kept bum
ing upon thousands Of affairs, often
burning feeb!y, it is true. but still it
burned. and here and there was slowly
famed into new life. and as the clouds
of depression have thickened and DER
Swallowed agriculture in these latter
years, their beacon lights have shone
out brighter. clearer than before. And
now the Grange is once more booming.
Farmers are rallying to its standard as
they have not before for more than .
dozen years. Already nearly as many
new Oranges have been organized as in
all Of last year put together, and last
year we had more than in any one OF
ten years before. And now, right now
is once more the time for Patrons to
stand together. Its increased strength
and power is once more recognized as
f9eman worthy of the steel of giants Of
the early years, and their brothers even
more powerful 10 these latter days.
Once more the opeu attacks, the news
paper ridicule, the deep laid schemes to
stir up jealousies and suspicion, even
to employing traitors within the gates
to set brother against brother, to divide
the house against itself, are being used
1t is said of some folks, they can't
staud prosperity. Let US see TO it that
our Order does not again suffer because
it is prosperous Guided and fore
warned by the experience of the past,
let us stand together now. Sand by
every business agreement stand by our
principle in all parties, and regardless
Of oar party if it ignore our principles
or our just demands.
We are making progress in legisla-
tive matters. The Master of the
National Grange, j. H. Brigham, and
the Legislative Committee of the
National Grange are in the front at
Washington, advocating before the
Committee of Congress the measures
asked for by Patrons all over the
United States, and will insist upon
equal and exact justice Cor farmers IL
all bills that are passed affecting the
interests of agriculture. Patrons from
other States come and go and lend
hand when there. Party considerations
are not first. The farmers of our coun
try and their cause is the rallying cry,
and brighter day ,cW come if patrons
VII stanl together. And every farmer
and his family should unite with this