STATE GRANGE OF ILLINOIS. 11 



I believe a by-law of the State Grange should be adopted, regulating 

 the time (in advance of any action of Subordinate Granges on the subject) 

 during which a Patron 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 destin3\ The responsibility 

 of our own condition, both at the present and in the future, rests, and ever 

 will rest, upon ourselves. 



All disputes arising within 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 otRcial work upon your Master, has rendered it impossi- 

 ble to answer all calls upon him. His best efforts have been, and still are, 

 at your disposal. I feel an absorbing interest iu the welfare of the class 

 with which my whole life has been identified. 



I regard the farmer's calling, as the most noble, the most dignified, and 

 the most independent of all the industrial pursuits. To be successful, the 

 farmer must love his calling. There are no inherent d'lf^culiies preventing 

 the profit? of his labor and his capital from being commensurate with the 

 eflfort and skill put forth. 



I address these words of greeting to you in the spirit of hope and high 

 expectation as to the future usefulness of our Order. 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 annual assemblage of the Patrons of this great State be charac- 

 terized 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. 



On motion of A. H. Dolton, of Cook county, the address of 

 the Master was received and referred to a committee of five to 

 be appointed by the overseer. 



The Overseer appointed the following as said committee : 

 Isaac L. Terrell, of St. Clair ; R. Seaton, of Adams ; M. H. 

 Mitchell, of Fulton ; J. F. Coe, of Whiteside ; H. Y. Keller, of 

 Moultrie. 



The Master announced the following committee : 



Auditing — B, F. Caldwell, of Sangamon ; J. S. Busey, of Champaign ; 

 Wm. Grammer, of Pike. 



Finance — T. McD. Richards, of McHenry; Chas. Musson, of tTnion; 

 Chas. W. March, of Shelby. 



Mileage and Per Dicm—S. B. Longley, of Mercer ; M. H. Mitchell, of 

 Fulton ; John Land, of White. 



