How ESTABLISHED---MESSRS. KELLEY AND SAUNDERS---A CLOUD NO BIGGER THAN A MAN'S HAND--SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMES, "GRANGE" AND "PATRON"--ELIGIBILITY: ORGANIZATION AND FIRST OFFICERS: FIRST FOUR DISPENSATIONS---GROWTH ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI: EIGHTY GRANGES A DAY IN IOWA---THIRD ANNUAL SESSION---WHAT THE PATRONS PROPOSE TO Do--- OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF PURPOSES---CONSTITUTION AND By-Laws,

“INDUSTRY requires its captains as well as war." During the last twenty years, the observant and philosophical watchman upon the walls of privilege, might have observed in various quarters the gathering of the clans of discontented laboring men. The doctrine of equal rights under the law, the power to enforce this doctrine through the ballot, had been gained; there was needed an organization through which these could manifest themselves. Political or financial combinations had felt secure during all the historical struggle between wealth and power on the one side, and numbers on the other, because, wherever combinations of workmen were not interdicted by law, advantage was taken of the diversity of interests among them, to neutralize their influence.

In France the antagonism of certain industrial interests was stimulated to an unnatural degree; in America, the same thing was accomplished by ranging the great body of agriculturists in separate political camps. The need of a great conciliating, centralizing influence was felt, before the civil war. It soon afterward became an imperative necessity, for the industry of the South was utterly paralyzed, while that of the North was staggering under burdens too great to be borne. The associations hitherto organized for the improvement of the farm, were utterly inadequate to cope with the monster monopolies which had taken a firm grasp of Congress and upon capital.

It was very natural that the great awakening should begin where the magnitude of the dangers was most apparent, viz: at the seat of government.

In January, 1866, under an order from President Andrew Johnson, Mr. O. H. Kelley, of the Agricultural Bureau, commenced a tour of inspection of the Southern States, during which he conversed freely with the farmers and planters, and

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came to the conclusion that the industrial reconstruction of that section would require the mutual aid and coöperation of the whole country. The political Union which had cost so much; which had watered the whole breadth of the land with tears; which the agriculture of the country had got to pay for with so many years of toil, required for its security a social and industrial union and harmony of interests, only to be reached by a close bond of association.

Mr. William Saunders, of the Bureau of Agriculture, an intelligent and thoughtful Scotchman, whose extensive correspondence had made him familiar with the struggles of the farmers in all sections of the country, entered warmly into the views expressed by Mr. Kelley on his return. Mr. Kelley had proposed, through some organizations like that of the Freemasons, to link the farmers into a solidarity. The originators of the movement were Mr. Kelley, Mr. William Saunders, then and at present Superintendent of the garden and grounds of the Department of Agriculture; Mr. William M. Ireland, Chief Clerk of the Finance office of the Postoffice Department; Mr.. John R. Thompson, of the Treasury Department; Rev. Dr. John Trimble, of the Treasury Department, and Rev. A. B. Grosh, of the Department of Agriculture. On the 5th of August, 1867, they compiled the first degree of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry.

Eight days after, Mr. Saunders left Washington for St. Louis, with the purpose of establishing the Order in the West, thus opening the way for the labors of the chief apostle, Mr. Kelley, during the following year.

The generic name of the Order explains itself, and covers in a general way the requirements for membership. The word Grange" is pure old English, used by the older as well as recent writers and poets, in the sense of a farm-stead or rural residence. In its symbolical application it means the hall or place of assembly of Grangers or Patrons of Husbandry, whatever their degree.

The National Grange was organized at Washington, at the residence of Mr. Saunders, on the evening of December 4, 1867, by the election of the following officers: Master, William Saunders, of the District of Columbia; Lecturer, J. R. Thompson, of Vermont; Overseer, Anson Bartlett, of Ohio; Steward, William Muir, of Pennsylvania; Assistant Steward, A. S. Moss,

of New York; Chaplain, Rev. A. B. Grosh, of Pennsylvania; Treasurer, William M. Ireland, of Pennsylvania; Secretary, O. H. Kelley, of Minnesota; Gate Keeper, Edward F. Farris, of Illinois.

The next step was to test the workings of the ritual in a subordinate Grange. One was therefore formed, consisting of about sixty members. The first dispensation for a subordinate Grange was granted to an application from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the second to one from Fredonia, New York; the third to a Grange at Columbus, Ohio, and the fourth to one in Chicago. Only ten Granges were organized during the first year; at the end of the second, they numbered thirty-one.

The great center of the growth of the order was in the States bordering the Mississippi. In Iowa, subordinate Granges were formed in the spring of 1873, at the rate of from sixty to eighty a day. With irresistible power the great wave has increased and swelled in volume, until it has reached both oceans. It lifted the bowed head of the South; it included both sexes; it became a powerful educator. The only element to which any objection could be made, viz, that of secrecy, could not compromise it, while the work to which it was solemnly pledged, was pure and honorable. It was not a political organization; but in the words of the New York Tribune, it "altered the political equilibrium of the most steadfast States." Its objects and plans are well expressed in an address by Worthy Master Saunders, at the third annual session of the National Grange, February 4, 1870:

To increase the products of the earth, by increasing the knowledge of the producer, is the basis of our structure; to learn and apply the relations of science, so far as relates to the various products of the vegetable kingdom, and to diffuse the truths and general principles of the science and art of agriculture, are ultimate objects of our organization. We fully avail ourselves of the valuable results of scientific investigations in establishing principles (which, although sometimes difficult of discovery, are generally of easy application when properly understood), and seek to disseminate knowledge upon every subject that bears upon the increase of the productions and wealth of the nation.

One of the first duties of every Grange is to form a good library. This should be well supplied with elementary works in the various branches of natural history; standard works on agriculture, horticulture, pomology, physiology, rural architecture, landscape-gardening, breeding and raising of live-stock, and those of similar import. It is suggested that treatises on principles and fundamental laws

should have special preference. The practices, more varied in their details, will be found from time to time in the periodicals devoted to these subjects.

The social relaxation from every-day duties and toils, inculcated and encouraged in the Order, is keenly appreciated by its members. The barriers to social intercourse that are thrown around society by despotic fashion, are ruthlessly thrown down with us, and we meet on a common footing, with a common object in view, viz, of receiving and contributing the highest enjoyments of civilized society. To make country homes and country society attractive, refined, and enjoyable; to balance exhaustive labors by instructive amusements and accomplishments, is part of our mission and our aim.

The admission of women to full membership, and their assistance in the workings of the Order, is proving of incalculable value; it is, indeed, doubtful whether the objects of the institution, especially in regard to the refinements of education, and all that tends to brighten hearths and enliven homes, could have been accomplished. without their presence and aid.

In establishing an organization of this kind, we must not allow our energies to relax by an apparent indifference, or even avowed hostility to our cause. This we must expect, as there is no popular movement exempt from opposition. There is always a class of doubters who predict failures; others misconstrue motives, and still others who freely give opinions without investigating the objects sought to be attained, or the methods by which they are to be accomplished.

The secret ceremony of initiation of members has been objected to by a few persons; but we are already well convinced that the efficient discipline necessary to secure permanent organization could not be attained by any other means, thus completely realizing the only object that suggested its adoption; and it meets the warm approval of all those who have experienced the transitory existence of rural clubs and societies, and who recognize in our simple, but efficient rules, elements of success, based upon a solid and lasting foundation.

The Patrons of Husbandry propose: 1. To secure for themselves, through the Granges, social and educational advantages not otherwise attainable, and thereby, while improving their condition as a class, ennoble farm life, and render it attractive and desirable.

2. To give a full practical effect to the fraternal tie which unites them, in helping and protecting each other in case of sickness, bereavement, pecuniary misfortune, want, and danger of every kind.

3. To make themselves better and more successful farmers and planters, by means of the knowledge gained, the habits of industry, and method established, and the quickening of thought induced by

intercourse and discussion.

4. To secure economies in the purchase of implements, fertilizers, and family supplies, and in transportation, as well as increased profits in the sale of the products of their labor, at the same time lessening the cost to the consumer.

5. To entirely abolish the credit system, in their ordinary transactions, always buying and selling on a cash basis, both among themselves and in their dealings with the outside world.

6. To encourage co-operation in trade, in farming, and in other branches of industry, especially those most intimately connected with agriculture.

7. To promote the true unity of the Republic, by drawing the best men and women of all parts of the country together in an organization which knows no sectional bounds-no prejudices-and owes no party allegiance.

DECLARATION OF PURPOSES.

Declaration of purposes of the National Grange, adopted at St. Louis, February, 1874; also by the State Grange of California, October 10, 1874:

Profoundly impressed with the truth that the National Grange of the United States should definitely proclaim to the world its general objects, we hereby unanimously make this Declaration of Purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry:

1. United by the strong and faithful tie of agriculture, we mutually resolve to labor for the good of our Order, our country, and mankind.

2. We heartily indorse the motto: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity."

3. We shall endeavor to advance our cause by laboring to accomplish the following objects:

To develop a better and higher manhood and womanhood among ourselves. To enhance the comforts and attractions of our homes, and strengthen our attachments to our pursuits. To foster mutual understanding and co-operation. To maintain inviolate our laws, and to emulate each other in labor to hasten the good time coming. To reduce our expenses, both individual and corporate. To diversify our crops, and crop no more than we can cultivate. To condense the weight of our exports, selling less in the bushel and more on hoof and in fleece; less in lint, and more in warp and woof. To systematize our work, and calculate intelligently on probabilities. To discountenance the credit system, the mortgage system, the fashion system, and every other system tending to prodigality and bankruptcy. We propose meeting together, talking together, working together, buying together, selling together, and in general acting together for our mutual protection and advancement, as occasion may require. We shall avoid litigation as much as possible by arbitration in the Grange. We shall constantly strive to secure entire harmony, good-will, vital brotherhood among ourselves, and to make our Order perpetual. We shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional, and national prejudices, all unhealthy rivalry, all selfish ambition. Faithful adherence to these principles will insure our mental, moral, social, and material advancement.

4. For our business interests, we desire to bring producers and consumers, farmers and manufacturers, into the most direct and friendly relations possible. Hence we must dispense with a surplus of middle-men; not that we are unfriendly to them, but we do