STATE GRANGE OF ILLINOIS. 87 



In vain he single-lianded, strives 



To cope with powers united, 

 Or dreams the wrongs of centuries 



Will, of themselves, be righted. 



What wonder if those wrongs, at last 



Have roused each man and woman? 

 What wonder if thej^ learn to use 



The weapons of their foemen. 



Turn back the enginery of wrong 



Again on its possessors, — 

 Yet, God forbid, that the oppressed 



Become, in turn, the oppressors. 



Though a grand army we enlist, 



And don defensive armor, 

 The only conquest we pursue 



Is, " Fair play for the farmer." 



Our "ring" endangers no man's rights, 



No war of plunder wages ; 

 Its influence yet shall bless mankind 



Through all the coming ages. 



Pretended friend, and secret foe, 



Who dearly love tlie Granger, 

 Shake their wise heads and sadly paint, 



His weakness and his danger. 



Though while they openly approve 



And secretly abuse him, 

 They all and singly are resolved 



While he does live, to use him. 



Where'er his voice, or vote, or purse. 



May promise place or profit, 

 How ready these unselfish souls 



To take advantage of it. 



And with what ease, when place or pelf 



Securely they have gotten. 

 The honest Granger's service, claims, 



Existence, is forgotten. 



More open foes, who hope to make 



Truth crown persistent lying. 

 Daily throw high their caps and shout, 



" Hurrah ! the Grange is dying." 



