Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1875 — The Illinois State Grange. [ARTICLE]

The Illinois State Grange.

gpnisioriELD, 111., Jan. IS. The State Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry assembled here to-day. There are about 350 delegates in attendance. The sitting has been in secret and the only matter that has been given the public is the address of Master Golder. which is as follows: Brothers and Sisters op tup. State Grange: I have great pleasure in reporting to you a healthful and prosperous state of the Order, both in this State and throughout the country. Tlie period of novelty in its history has passed. It has settled into its place in the family of forces which are working out the results of advancing civilization. No considerate person who has witnessed the wonderful awakening among the industrial class which we represent, effected chiefly through the efficient agency of our Order, can but recognize its power for usefulness, and, as I verily believe, its tendency for good. We do not deny for it the imperfections which pertain to all human agencies, and we claim tor it the virtues which spring from high resolves and philanthropic purposes. In this we would exhibit that modesty which is ever becoming, even to the greaiest and best, and that eels-assertion which is the symbol of real strength and the condition of success. The Order is not declining as some have affected to believe, and as some have studiously reported. A column on the march may he less demonstrative than when forming and organizing. The reports of the Secretary, Treasurer and other executive officers will disclose to you in full the condition, numerical strength and resources of the Order. Quito a number oT contiguous Granges, which are small alone, have; upon application, been consolidated —a procedure which I have regarded with favor and tried to encourage. A strong Grange, covering more territory i 6 undoubtedly better than two weak ones. Some find fault that the Grange has not done more. This complaint usually comes from that class who have themselves done least. “ The gods help those who help themselves.” This is a co-operative institution. It is not designed to relieve any individual member fronTeffort or labor, but to make his efforts and labor more efficient by means of union with his fellows. A single individual is powerless to correct many abuses from which we as a class have suffered, and from some es which we are still suffering. All unjust burdens we can, by uniting, throw off, and much of the positive good we hope for can be attained bv a like combination of strength.

Some do not give us credit for what we have done. They say that the pecuniary benefits claimed —such as the reduced cost of supplies, as agricultural implements, sewing machines, etc., have come to outsiders the same as to us; that these reductions would have come anyway. Now this, undoubtedly, is in part true. Outsiders have received great benefit from our work. But this is natural, desirable, and to lie expected. We have complained of the large percentage of profit paid on many of our supplies. This has come, to an extent, at least, from the multi tude of middlemen; the large amount of capital invested on which profit must be paid, and the small amount of work and business dope in proportion to the unmber of men employed and the investment of capital. Relief can come to us only by fewer men doing the given amount of Work, and a given capital doing a greater amount of business. When the number of middlemen shall have been reduced to the measure of our needs and the per cent, of their profits be made to correspond somewhat with that of ours our cause ..cl complaint i» this direction will be eTilled. .T This can be accomplished, however, only through out efforts. And we need not look for a speedy victory in this direction. The enemy in many cases is playingpdssum, rather than dead. Combinations made against you are not destroyed, but dormant. The appearance or belief of weakness or weariness on your part will be the signal for their own awakening and activity. The position of subordinate Granges toward partisan polities is, on the whole, as satisfactory as could be expected, considering the diverse views on that subject. Much has been conceded on Doth sides for the sake of harmony. lam quite confirmed in my former views expressed o* that subject. The nature of our Government lays upon every citizen the obligation ot au intelligent and active participation in public affairs. No one should be less a citizen because, a Patron, but the contrary should be the ease. His zeal, his energy, and his conscientiousness should be increased thereby. Let us notfarget that that the leading object in our organization is improvement in our special calling, improvement in the modes and processes of cultivating the soil, as well as. the disposal of our products. The discussion of these subjects should be frequent and thorough. The Grange is the primary school of the Order. The gradations expressed in County Grange, Slate Grange and National are only the higher steps in the planß and necessities of our work. We seek pecuniary advantages through our organization, not as an end, but as a means for the accomplishing of a higher and more important work, viz.: the elevation of our class in the social scale, the increase of intelligence with its corresponding benefits, the dignifying of labor and the ennobling of all industrial pursuits. For the most part we are both capitalists and laborers. We are interested in the efficient employment of capital as we are in the just reward of labor. In our plans of work we embody the principles of co-operation which have received approval of the highest intelligence of the age. It remains for us to show that we possess the patience, the perseverance, the skill, the intelligence and the honesty to conduct to a 'successful issue an experiment which is receiving the benedictions of the best and wisest men. Pull together! should be the banner-word of the organization. The Order lias sometimes reminded me (pardon the homely illustration) of a half-doze* pairs of green steers < yoked to a breaking plow. Tiiev pull forward, backward, every way. ©tie might at first despair of ever haying a ser viceable team. Time and effort, however, overcome the übstiuaey even of green steers. Some jnay indeed prove incorrigible and tbey~ are turned out and delivered over to the butcher. So if perchance we discover the lack of 6kill and training of professional orsganizers, I believe we have the strength and endurance of the ox, and. we shall surely break up the turf-bound soil which has so long typified one class. It is hard, very hard, for many to cast off old and established notions and accept anything new. Some seem unwilling to investigate, even for fear they may discover they have been advocating error. They seem to forget that it is a sign of greatness as it is of goodness to follow the truth wherever it leads. Again selfishness, which is the essence of barbarism itself, seems to bold the . control over many. They cannot rise above self or look beyond the present. They do not know , the meaning of benevolence, nor can they make any sacrifice for posterity. It is easy to show that the greatest blessings we enjoy we owe to others —acquired through their sacrifices, bought perhaps by their blood. Does anyoue believe that the present good was adequate compensation for the sacrifice of comfort, property, and lives which Were the price of American liberty? Others make the low state of public morals, the general corruption and dishonesty, an excuse for their own inaction, or perhaps their active opposition. I acknowledge with shame for the human race, and for the high atate of civilization claimed for this country, all the truth there is in the charge. I know even the apostolic band had its Judas, hut it would not be just to condemn the twelve on necouht of the sin and shame of qne. Human nature rema bs the 6ame it ever has been? I expect to witness, the development of tb# spirn of Judas even among the brothers, but my faith in the good and true still reiuai'JsMunshaken. Let us not charge upon the many the sins of oae. Let us look up, not down. The best way to acquire charitable views of out brother is to labor for bis good. We shall i, seemo:e ot the good in the world as we inake sacrifices for it. 4

I commend the following words, takenjrom an address of the Master of,the State Grange of California. They seem to be words of wisdom and sound advice on the subject to which they relate: “ I look to the influence of the Order to accomplish some social reforms which all classes nqed alike. Money has come to exert, and probably always will exert, a powerful influence in establishing social grades In the community. “Honestly acquired it is the proper reward of industry, and the enjoyment of tho luxuries it brings is to its possessor an undisputed right. The attempt through pride to appear what we are not indicates a weakness of character, if it is not a positive sin. Fashion has gained sway over us. For the sake of appearance we incur expense and make sacrifices which our incomes do not warrant. All honest accumulations of property come through abstinence. The man who spends his entire income from year to year can never become independent," and is likely sooner or later to come to want. The loudest complaints against the tyranny of capital are often made by that class of laborers whose opportunities for accumulation have been the most favorable. This is no argument in defense of abuses of which There are many and which it is our duty to combat. This wo can do successfully only by the mastervbf the principles of trade and commerce, both in their theory and application. The masses of our class need better general education aud especially better business education. We cannot fight oue enemy successfully till we understand the details of his | position, the nature of his weapons and of his defenses. We can cope with monopolists whether of money, manufacture, transportation, or politics only when we can command intellectual and business ability equal to theirs. We must lift ourselves up to a level with them in these respects ; we cannot pull them down to us.” ~~ “ In the struggle among the industrious we ask for no special privileges or special consideration. We ask for ourselves only what we demand for all —the protection of our rights. Much evil has been done iu this country byspecial legislation. Wealth is virtually voted out of the pockets of one class into those of another; and need I add that we have usually been the chief sufferers and have meekfy borne it, pay, even have delusively embraced the instruments of torture. Capital and labor both have their rights; moreover, their rights are identical. Special legislation in favor of either is, on general principles, inimical to the prosperity of both. The question of insurance is one of magnitude and universal interest. I am satisfied from the opportunities of observation I have had that one law authorizing the formation of county and town' insurance companies on the mutual plan meets in a large degree our wants. These seem to give full average satisfaction at much less cost than ordinary insurance. lam disposed to recommend the appointing of a committee* to secure the careful preparation of a blank form of organization under the law—the same to be kept for distribution when applied for. The best legal talent should be secured for this work.

I do not refrain from discussing other topics, such as the transportation question, banks, the currency, because our interest in these questions is waning, or because they are becoming of less importance to us. The public inind, it seems to me, is making progress toward enlightenment on these questions. I see no signs of a yielding of some of the claims of monopolies. These, as well as other interests, are beginning to see that rights always imply obligations. The ground of their existence is the public good. They were endowed with extraordinary powers and received extraordinary privileges for an equivalent which they promised, viz., the public good. Equity would demand that a failure to furnish the equivalent should work a forfeiture of their right. The regulation of monopolies by laws, just and discriminating, I believe is a necessity, which the immense power and overbearing arrogance of these institutions is demonstrating. I believe a by-law of the State Grange should be adopted regulating the time (in the absence of any action of subordinate Granges on the subject) during which a Fatron may retain membership, being in arrears for dues. There are social evils to be remedied, economical abuses to be corrected, civil and political equities to be accomplished, and there probably always will be; but we have the shaping of our own destiny. The responsibility of our own condition, both at the present and in the future, rests, and will ever rest, upon ourselves. All disputes arising in our Order ought to be settled within our gates. Litigation is a sorry way to secure justice, especially between brothers. Surely the teachings of our Order suggest a more satisfactory mode. The pressure of official work upon your Master has rendered it impossible for him to answer all calls upon him. His best efforts have been, and are, at your disposal. I feel an absorbing interest in the weliare of the class with which my whole life has been identified. I regard the farmer’s calling the most noble, the most dignified, and the most independent of all the industrial pursuits. To be successful the farmer must love liis calling. There are no inherent difficulties preventing the profits of his labor and his capital from being commensurate with the efforts and skill put forth. I address these words of greeting to you in the spirit of hope and high expectation as to tlie future usefulness of our’Hlrder. Nobody can destroy us but we ourselves. May the vantage ground already gained be improved to the future advancement of the interests of our class and of true civilization. May the aunual assemblage of the Patrons of this great State be characterized by the harmony that should distinguish a meeting of brothers—the patience which is necessary to overcome difficulties —the wisdom which is equal to meet the greatest responsibilities.