THE INCEPTION OF THE GRANGE 9 



selling. This practical appeal was more effective 

 than the previous idealistic propaganda : two addi- 

 tional Granges were established before the end of 

 the year; a state Grange was constituted early in 

 the next year; and by the end of 1869 there were in 

 Minnesota thirty-seven active Granges. In the 

 spring of 1869 Kelley went East and, after visiting 

 the thriving Grange in Fredonia, he made his report 

 at Washington to the members of the National 

 Grange, who listened perfunctorily, passed a few 

 laws, and relapsed into indifference after this first 

 regular annual session. 



But however indifferent the members of the Na- 

 tional Grange might be as to the fate of the organi- 

 zation they had so irresponsibly fathered, Kelley 

 was zealous and untiring in its behalf. That the 

 founders did not deny their parenthood was enough 

 for him; he returned to his home with high hopes 

 for the future. With the aid of his niece he carried 

 on an indefatigible correspondence which soon 

 brought tangible returns. In October, 1870, Kel- 

 ley moved his headquarters to Washington. By 

 the end of the year the Order had penetrated nine 

 States of the Union, and correspondence looking to 

 its establishment in seven more States was well 

 under way. Though Granges had been planted as 



