SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL FEATURES 28 1 



and celebrations were so numerous that the day was known 

 as the " Farmers' Fourth of July." Farmers' clubs as well as 

 granges joined in these amusements, in the parts of the country 

 where they existed. 1 The social influence of such gatherings 

 as these could not help but spread; acquaintances would be 

 formed which would ripen into friendships and bring about 

 much more frequent intercourse between farm and farm. 



The influence of women in the order and of the order upon the 

 position of women are subjects which are much dwelt upon by 

 Grange writers. It seems to be a fact that the Grange was the 

 first secret order to admit women to full and equal membership. 

 If there was any inequality, indeed, it was in favor of the women, 

 for part of the offices were reserved especially for them, while 

 the remainder were open equally to both sexes. Probably in 

 a majority of local granges the lecturer, who had charge of the 

 programs, was a woman. In the state and national granges, 

 too, the presence of women was insured by the rule which made 

 each delegation consist of the master of the local or state grange, 

 as the case might be, and his wife. Without this feature of the 

 order many of the social advantages would have been impossible. 

 That the example and teaching of the Grange was an influence 

 in causing many farmers to look upon their wives more as com- 

 panions and less as household drudges is also quite possible. 

 Undoubtedly the order offered to women, even more than to 

 men, an opportunity for broader service and the cultivation of 

 the social graces. 2 



The social service of the Grange, however, was not confined 

 to local matters. If it brought about more sympathetic and 

 friendly relations between individuals of the same neighborhood, 

 it also helped to bring about a better understanding between 

 the people of different sections of the country. The state grange 

 meetings brought together men and women from all parts of a 

 state, with differing ideas and interests, while in the National 



1 Kelley, Patrons of Husbandry, 338, 390-393; Prairie Farmer and Chicago 

 Tribune, July, 1874, passim. 



2 Kelley, Patrons of Husbandry, 423; Martin, Grange Movement, 453, 456; 

 State grange proceedings: Indiana, iv. 32; Maryland, i. 12; Michigan, iii. 56, 73; 

 Missouri, iii. 22. 



