STATE GKAXCiE OF ILLINOIS. 



have regarded with favor and tried to encourage. A strong G-range, 

 covering more territory, is 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 from eflbrts 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 of the 

 abuses from which we, as a class, have suffered, and from some of which 

 we are still sutfering. All unjust burdens, we can, by uniting, throw off, 

 and much of the positive good we hope for can be attained by 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., 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 be 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 multitude of middlemen ; the large amount of capital invested, on 

 which profit must be paid, and the small amount of work and business 

 done in proportion to the number of men employed and the investment of 

 capital. Belief can come to us only, b}^ 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 of complaint in this direction will 

 be ended. 



This can be accomplished, however, only through our own efforts. And 

 we need not look for a speedy victory in this direction. The enemy, in 

 many cafc.es, is playing possum, rather than dead ; combinations made 

 against you are not destroyed but dormant. The appearance or belief of 

 weakness or wcciriness, on yoxxv part, will be the signal for their own 

 awakening and activity. 



The position of Subordinate Granges toward partisan politics, is, on the 

 whole, as satisfactory as could be expected, considering the diverse views 

 on that subject. Much has been conceded by both sides for the sake of 

 harmony. I am quite confirmed in my former views, expressed on that 

 subject. 



The nature of our government lays upon every citizen the obligation of 

 an intelligent and active participation in public affairs. No one should 

 be less a citizen because a Patron, but the contrary should be the case; his 

 zeal, his energy, and his conscientiousness should be increased thereby. 



Let us not forget that the leading object in our organization is improve- 

 ment in our special calling, improvement in the modes and processes of 



