Year: 1876



 the highest dcgree satisfactory. The total number of granges that have been organized to date may not reach the figures of the en- thusiastic and unrefecting mem. bers who based their estimate upon the record of 1874; but it exceeds that of the more thought ful who looked, and almost in vain, of knowing, poitively, but the most careful estimates that can be made place the total mem- bership of the order at the present time at 440,000-double that of 1874. This increase of strength has come manly from limitations, (though the addition by the or ganization of new granges IS no small fraction) and means that the order has been tried, and found to be good. The organiza tion of granges proved merely that something was dmanded differing from what the farmers had. The number organized showed merely how widespread was the dissatisfaction at the old order of things. The grange was an experiment, and nothing more. Despite their enthusiasm at the unprecedented success which has thus far crowned their efforts, the leaders of the movement could rot but feel at the last convention anxiety for the future. Their re sponsibillty was far greater than they had expected, and the mem- bers had a right to demand of them results which would be com mensurate. Nc such feeling will he present at the coming session of the National Grange. The ad- dition during the past year of nearly half million to member ship in old granges, shows that the movement is no longer an eX- pertinent but solid and substan- tial success. For it must be re- membered that these additions have not been mad upon the strength of brilliant promises held out by fluent speaKers, nor from enthusiasm that hailed any change as possibly productive of some thing better, but that they have been made made solely from ob- servation by persons outside the gates of the benefits accruing to those within the order.

 Tine growth of the order in membership is subject for con graduation in the character of the the new members. During the past year a higher standard has been required of candidates, and none have been admitted whose whole work could not be given to it's objects. It has been demand ed that the applicant be more than an enthusiastic friend and well wisher; he must be one who could give material assistance as well as aid and comfort. More than this-the new members are mainly those conservative farm CTS who could afford to wait and see what came of it. Without rehceting upon the older members, to whom all honor should be awarded as pioneers and guides who broke the way for others to tread, it may be said that the ad ditions have given weight and stability which were essential to perfect success. They were men who always counted the cost of every undertaking. When their hand was upon the plough they never turned back. Hard to move, but persistent when once started, they form an indispens able reserve against which oppo- sition form without and within will be dashed to pieces.

 Never before was the prospect so cheering, All the prophecies of disruption that have so freely been made have come to naught. The dangers that threaten the stability of the order have in q great measure passed away; and with the same wise management that has, all things considered, been the order during the past year, it's future is brilliant with promise.

 

 Among candidates for the Re