LIVE STOCK BREEDERS. 81 



first. Missouri was not first, but she was second at one time in this 

 great work, Iowa beinpf first. She has been reduced until she is al- 

 most last in Grange work. Yet I say. we are glad of the fact that the 

 organization has never become extinct, and we reali?:c that from now 

 on the work of this organization will prosper and grow in our own 

 vState of Missouri. 



I wish time would permit and that I had the ability to impart 

 to you the need of this great work among all the farmers of Missouri. 

 I do not mean the heads of families when I speak of farmers, I mean 

 the entire household, because this organization takes within its doors 

 not only the man, but the entire family. It is at these meetings that he 

 can take his wife and daughters and take part in sessions that pertain 

 to our interests as farmers, as citizens, as neighbors and as friends. 



The last session of the State Grange was held in the little town 

 of Maywood in the northern part of the State, being one of the most 

 enthusiastic meetings held in years. While not largely represented, 

 we feel that much good was accomplished by that meeting. The 

 last National meeting was held in the state of Michigan. Michigan 

 has in the last three years done more to bring about reorganization 

 than any other state in the Union. At these meetings it seems but 

 fitting that not only the Mayor and President of the Board of Trade, 

 but the Governor, should welcome to their state, to their town and 

 city, that great organization which has made the greatest growth in 

 the last year in its history. In 1876 the National organization held 

 its meeting in St. Louis. We are going to ask the hearty co-operation 

 of the Industrial Associations of this meeting; also, of the people of 

 Greene county, the people of this city and the people of the entire 

 State of Missouri, to assist in bringing back in 1904 the meeting of 

 the National Grange to the city of St. Louis. It was at the meeting 

 of 1876 that the declaration of principles that were laid down by this 

 organization was drafted, being one of the broadest, clearest, keenest, 

 and most notable declarations that has ever been drafted bv any orirani- 

 zation. 



We may state how many dollars have been saved to the farmers 

 of the country through co-operative trade arrangements, and through 

 mutual insurance companies, both fire and life, and something can be 

 stated in regard to the vast saving to the farmers of the country 

 through wise legislation secured, and unwise legislation defeated 

 through the influence of the Grange ; but when we undertake to make 

 any estimate of the moral, social, and .nental development that has 

 been brought to the farmer and his family through Grange influence 

 and Grange teaching, we are lost in the magnificent results obtained. 



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