Year: 1875




Patrons Of Husbandry: IL,


From the snow-clad hills, the fiowery
dales, the golden shore and prairie
land, we meet together by the historic
palmetto. Not as nomads, who gather
at a shrine in obedience to sentiment,
do we come, but as chosen representa-
tives of the fraternity whose object is
the moral and material advancement
of the greatest industrial interests of
the Great Republic. Standing as we
do to-day upon the narrow line which
| divides the past from the future, about
to step forward into that time which
is all unseen by human eye, it be-
hooves us to well scrutinize the track
behind us, that We may gain thereby
some clew to the path before u.s. One
year ago we met beyond the Father of
Waters, and congratulated ourselves
on the growth and strength of our
gigantic young Order. To-day, by the
ever-sounding sea, we proudly pro-
claim that our members have in
creased one hundred fold. Two more
sister States have joined our ranks
maine and Montana have Joined our
ranks, and the few remaining ones are
joyfully on the way. The work has
spread from ocean to ocean. The
winds have waited the sounds across,
and now they come back like echoes
from the other shore, asking us to eX-
tend to other people helping hand.
This uprising and organizing of q
great and scattered interest has not e
parallel in the history of the world.
The magnitude and force of the move
ment has surprised it's friends and as
tonished and armed its foes. 1t has
| burst upon us with the suddenness of
the erratic comet, yet promises to re-
main with the brilliancy and perma-
nency of the sun. 1t found the agri-
| culture of the nation unorganized,
isolated, unrecognized, weak, plod-
| ding, and their voices virtually un-
heard in the councils of the land. To-
day they are organized, united, strong,
thoughtful and duly respected and
recognized as one of the great powers
that be. Though much has now been
done in awakening thought and clear
ing the field, yet we have but just
stepped upon the mount and caught
faint


GLIMPSE OF THE PROMISED LAND.


Right before US it lies, awaiting our
possession. But ere we fairly reach
the goal and fully possess the land we
see, wide, weary waste is to be
crossed, which will tax to the utmost
our prudence, our perseverance and
our valor. The positions of honor and
trust, the avenues to great wealth, the
molding of the political, financial and
educational institutions of the nation,
have long been in the ha nds of MEM
bers of other calIings. The monopoly
will not be given up without a strug-
gle; and whoever enlists in the Pa
irons of Husbandry in the expectation
of an easy victory, reckons without
his host. Our movement has been
and will be met by most determined
and persistent warfare-every means
which talent, wealth and place can
command will be used. So, while we
believe in the goodness of God and
the justice of our cause, we must main-
tain unbroken ranks and keep our
powder dry. In many of the States
the work of organizing Oranges has
been nearly completed, and the noise
and enthusiasm attending it is sue
ceeded by comparative silence. The
Order is there passing through the
ordeal which shall reveal its weakness
or display its strength. Though en-
thusiasm and noise were very suitable
and efficient means to kindle the
| flame, they are not the material with
| which to maintain steady and last
ing heat. To preserve the vantage
ground we have gained and insure
permanence and further advancement


we must be able to show to our men,
| bers and the world that material and
moral gain does and will result from
our organization.


WE MUST KEEP OUR RANKS FULL,


Our faith strong, our work pure and
our actions wise. One year ago 1
called the attention of this body to the
fact that the subordinate Oranges are
the foundation and life of our Order,
and urged the necessity of aiding
| them by devising profitable and agree
able plans of works and recreation, to
that the present membership and in
terest would be not only maintained
but increased. Owing to q press of
| business, no action has been taken in
| this matter, and the subordinate
Oranges have been thrown on their


own resources. / am happy to an


nounce that most of them have been


equal to the emergency, but many of


the weaker have languished and failed


simply for the want of a little,paternal
aid and counsel in their infancy. We
| cannot afford to thus allow the weak,
for whom especially we should provide,
| to fall by the wayside. 1t is our stern
duty, and should be an unmixed pleas


ure, to tend, direct, and uphold them.


If we fail in this, we fail in carrying
out one of our most cardinal princi-
| pie. Let me then most earnestly re-
quest you to give this subject your at


tention as one of the most important


which ever came before you. 1t would


be impossible, even were it desirable,


in paper like this to discern all the
grave subjects which will demand
your attention, but there are some
| WulCh CdHuOO pass WlUnOuU DrleI


notice. Prominent among these is


the subject of transportation, in which


every citizen has all interest, either as


a producer or consumer. There is q


deep-seated and well-founded convic-


ton that the present modes of carry


ing commodities are uselessly expen-
sive. The people and the Govern


ment have literally aided in the con-
| struction of


RAILROADS AND CANALS,


In the expectation that increased ia
| oilsfiao xxr1r,IH roo,,If IN, H.