Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-03-26

lellSenIly on PROBABILITIES. 10 dis
countenance the credit system, the
mortgage system, and every system
tending to prodigality and bank
ruptcy.
Farmers who a few years ago
spurned the thought of organization,
are now beginning to realize the fact
that they were mistaken, and they
are now looking to the grange as the
best farmers organization extant.
The depressed condition of the
country seems to be ignored by con-
gress. and no measure of relief has
thus far been PERMITTED to be passed.
The parties are scoring for position
while the people are struggling for
existence.
The Ohio Farmer recently offered
a prze for the best essay on The
Greatest Value of the Grange, and
the Best Means of Reaching Those
Outside the Order" The first prize
essay contains the following peril
nent thought, which colnmends itself
to every intelligent thinking unset
fish farmer in the land. In speaking
of the membership, the essayist says:
Not every one is worthy. The great
est number is not the greatest thing.
Legion asks, What good can | get
out of it," | would ask, What good
can put into it, that | may make it
worth while for worthy friend to
desire to share with me the pleasures
and profits of the order.
The cranky element in the grange
is fast disappearing, and men and
women OF sterling worth are coming
| to the front.
The great thing in grange work is
concentration, the picking out of
| one or two or three measures of great
Importance and pushing them until
substantial legislature is secured.
This does not mean to neglect other
important measures. The grange can
well express its views on any public |
question. But if the grange, as an
organization, desires to make itself |
felt as an instrument for legislation |
of benefit to the farmers of this |
country, 1t seems to us of vital i'm
portance that this principle of CON
centratton be recognized and acted |
upon, n,-Grange Visitor.
Do not accept an Office in the
grange unless you are prepared to
give the amount of time that is neces-
sary for the proper discharge of the
duties which the position demands.
We hear a good deal about slack
farmers, unskillful farmers, poor
farmers, as if farmers were the only
class that contained that kind of
members; there are slack and unskil-
full carpenters, blacksmiths, bank
presidents, railroad managers,
preachers and even editors. Why
should perfection be expected of all
farmers alone among the worlds
workers? If there were no poor farm
ers there would be no virture in be-
ing farmer.
There is too much lazy farm ma
chinery; too many costly machines
that do but a few days work in a
whole year They are expensive loaf
ers and there should be fewer of
them. .-Fdrm Stock and Home.
Governor Matthews, of Indiana:
1t is as much the duty of an Ameri-
can citizen to attend the primaries
and aid in the selection of good men,
and the adoption of right measures
as it is to respond to their country's
call in the time of incurrection or in
vasion. At present politics or politi-
clans are to some extent terms of re-
proach. This should not be. If the
of citizens do their full duty
in time of peace, the danger of being
called upon to do military service is
mnch reduced.
We have neglected the primaries
and relied on the ballots, and have
been as powerless as an army that
neglected the powder and relied on
the bullets.-trom Con. on Good of
the Order, Nat Grange. :
No one, by becoming member of
the Grange, surrenders his right TO
affiliate with any political party. 1t
is his right and duty to do all he can
in his party to secure honest legisla-
ton and economical administration;
to put down bribery, corruption and
trickery; to see that honest men are
nominated for all positions of trust.
Sectarian and partisan questions can
not be discussed in grange meetings.
WHO CAN JOIN.
Any person engaged in agricultural
pursuits and having no interest in
conflict, fourteen years of age and of
good character.
WELL ESTABLISHED.
The grange is the oldest and best
known of all farmer organizations,
and is established in thirty-tive states
and also in Canada.
HOW TO ORGANIZE. '.-
Write to the Deputy of your coun-
ty, or to T. r. Smith, Delaware, o.,
or to F. A. Atkins, Sandusky, o., for
blanks and documents; secure at
least 20 names of the best men and
women' (must have at least four wom-
en) and notify either of the above :
and an organizer will be sent.
COST.
Fees, $1.O0 for men and SOC. for
women, to be paid at time of organ
ization. Dues, $1.20 per year, to be
paid quarterly.
ADVISE.
Farmers, get in line, and make
your power available and effective
through organization.
Very Truly Yours,
Il. r. SMITH,