THE GRANGE 149 



taught the need of better rural education. It has 

 also tended to develop its members, so that they 

 may not only appreciate education, but that they 

 may be themselves living examples of the value 

 of such education. Farmers' institute lecturers 

 frequently say, "You can always tell when you 

 reach a community where a Grange exists." In 

 that meeting will be found men who have read 

 and thought on farm and public themes, men 

 who are not only ready in discussion, apt in 

 statement, and eager to question, but men ac- 

 quainted with parliamentary law, who know how 

 such assemblages should be conducted, and who 

 can preside with dignity and grace. 



The order has undoubtedly aided materially 

 in obliterating sectionalism. That achievement 

 was one of its avowed objects. There is no 

 question but it assisted in cementing North and 

 South; and that it has brought East and West 

 into closer sympathy is equally true. Other 

 farm organizations have found their incentive in 

 the order. These it has never frowned on, 

 though believing and always hoping that it might 

 attract the majority of farmers to its own ranks, 

 and by this unity become a more powerful factor 

 in securing the rights and developing the oppor- 

 tunities of the rural classes of America. It has 



