86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



POEM. 



READ BEFORE THE ILLINOIS STATE GRANGE. 



BY MRS. 8. M. SMITH. 



Brothers and sisters ! these two words 



Will not be lightly spoken 

 By Patron lips, if Patron hearts, 



Feel all that they betoken. 



If love fraternal, mean, with us, 



A living bond, and real, 

 No empty mockery of words, 



No sentiment ideal. 



Ah ! better than they knew, they wrought, 

 Nor guessed the power they wielded, 



Who made this, the foundation stone 

 Whereon our walls are builded. 



Though to the heavens those walls arise. 

 The stone will yet grow broader 



And firm forever, still uphold 

 The temple of our Order. 



It is the one key to unlock 



The manacles of Labor ; 

 And bind in triple bonds, the heart 



Of neighbor, unto neighbor. 



Like Ishmael, doubting all men's hearts 

 With all men's hands against them. 



For ages. Agriculture's sons 

 In walls of self have fenced them; 



Have singly fought, and singly failed 



The easy prey and booty 

 Of cunning, leagued with law, to make 



Toils robbery a duty. 



Strong in time honored custom, still 



Each legalized marauder. 

 By turns the victim fleece, and still 



Exhort to law and order ; 



On ever}' side new foes arise. 



Or old, in modern armor, 

 Ring above ring, like Alps on Alps, 



Frown still upon the farmer. 



