120 ^ PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



sooner accomplish the so much desired end, that of enlisting all of our 

 class, and the easier effect a combination that will break down the com- 

 binations a<;ainst us, whicli we are in a ji;reat measure powerless to do in 

 the present larg(;ly unorganized condition of the agriculturists of the 

 country. To me this may seem more important from my experience of 

 the effect of such meetings, and I use, by way of illustration, an occasion 

 where I was invited to address an open Grange meeting, .the result of 

 which was that thirteen applications were handed in at the close of the 

 meeting. I am not vain enough to suppose that my eloquence effected so 

 much, but tlie presentation of the great truths that underlie our Order, 

 the advantages of co-operation and combined effort, together with the 

 social privileges that were incident to our organization was the inspira- 

 tion, and a weak Grange sprang at one bound into a strong one. 



The word all has great significance with me, for only in enlisting all 

 who labor in one common cause, acknowledging all such as brothers, and 

 combining our strength, can I see hope to overcome the power that is 

 crushing all alike? "Who is my neighbor? " was asked 1800 years ago. 

 My answer now would be, they who by combining to oppose the oppressor 

 of labor, relieve one of God's poor dow^n trodden creatures are his neigh 

 bors, no matter what distance divides them, and the miners of Pennsyl- 

 vania who are being driven to starvation and death by the power of con- 

 solidated capital, are my neighbors, my brothers, my sisters, and though 

 the priests and Levites of the press pass them by, or as manj^ of them do 

 give aid and comfort to the oppressor, I cannot excuse myself on the 

 ground that they are not of my class, but looking away over and beyond 

 all selfish considerations, we must work to the end that their fate may not 

 be ours, as well as from the holier motive of rescuing our common human- 

 ity from the grasp of the tyrant capital. Again, our councils should be 

 governed by thatgreat-hearteduess that recognizes all men as brothers. Ban- 

 ish every jealqusy from the Grange, and let the grand inspiring principle 

 of the universal brotherhood of man characterize us in our intercourse 

 with each other and the world at large. Let us have union as far as pos- 

 sible, let us make overtures for it to labor in every department of indus- 

 iry, and theirs, not ours, be the responsibility of resistance lo the plain in- 

 dications of Providence. Theirs, not ours, the unchristian enormity that 

 outlaws all who cannot utter some shibboleth of an organization. 



Thus far I have spoken of what the Grange may accomplish morally, 

 socially, pecuniarily, but there is another work for the Grange to 

 do of equal importance to either, because upon its accomplishment, 

 depends, in a large degree, the accomplishment of all else that is worthy 

 of effort through our organization. 



Much has been said, and sung, and written of what the Grange has 

 done for woman. It all sounds very prettily in theory, but practically what 

 has been done or attempted towards relieving her from the toils and ever- 

 lasting round of drudgery incident to the life of a farmer's wife? Liter- 

 ally nothing; she still cooks, washes, irons, scrubs, makes and mends 



