UNJUST CHARGES. 163 



of course, would be just as subordinate to the principal 

 body as are German Odd Fellow lodges to the Grand 

 Lodges of their Order.&quot; 



SOME OF THE UNJUST CHARGES AGAINST THE GRANGES. 



It has been asserted that the Granges were simply orga 

 nized for political effort, which in time would become appar 

 ent ; that the ritual is simply a cheap glitter that, in a short 

 time, would lose its power, and end in dissolution, leaving 

 the farmer worse oft than before; that, if successful, they 

 would crush manufactures, and involve the country in 

 financial ruin ; that the Order is fatally defective in coher 

 ence, from the want of education and intelligence among the 

 rank and file of the Order; with many more harsh things 

 of the same general tenor. 



The first proposition has already been sufficiently dis-- 

 proved by the action of the Granges themselves. The second 

 is well known in the Order to be incorrect, unless by cheap 

 glitter is meant the simplicity of the ritual and the few 

 ceremonies of initiation. The saving in purchases of every 

 kind needed by the members is a feature that must inevit 

 ably bind together this most remarkable social organization 

 of any age. The want of intelligence and education has 

 more foundation in truth, if by this is meant that the average 

 farmer lacks the training that would enable him to cope 

 with those shrewd fellows whose only aim in life is the 

 gathering together of the almighty dollar, from every avail 

 able source, and by whatsoever means possible. 



It is conceded that agriculture is the ground-work of 

 national wealth; and that the prosperity of the country 

 depends upon the prosperity of the agricultural interests. 

 Yet the farmer of the West has seen himself grow poorer 

 and poorer each year, although his granaries were overflow- 



