406 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT. 



change. On the contrary, the enemies of the people 

 will be thoroughly defeated in a quiet and almost in- 

 visible manner, and the power of the monopolists will 

 be so thoroughly broken that they will no longer be 

 able to oppress and grind the poor,' or those less fortu- 

 nate than themselves. 



The power of bringing about a different condition of 

 affairs being thus secured to the farmers, it becomes a 

 solemn duty upon their part to use it. In doing so, 

 they can benefit not only themselves, but the entire 

 nation. The power of the monopolists to oppress must 

 be broken, and they can break it. They can rid the 

 country of the great curse that has been vexing it for 

 so long. But, in order to accomplish anything, the 

 farmers' vote must be cast as a unit in favor of the 

 measures desired, and of the men chosen to carry into 

 execution these measures. Hitherto this vote has been 

 divided, and the monopolists have taken advantage of 

 this division to fasten their yoke upon the nation. Let 

 the farmers now combine for the accomplishment of the 

 ends they have in view, and there will be thousands of 

 votes thrown with them by the outside public, who 

 have a common interest with them, and success is cer- 

 tain. By presenting a solid front all over the Union 

 upon questions vital to them, and by acting as one man 

 in the hour of conflict with the enemy, the success of 

 the farmers' movement will be as certain as the rising 

 of the sun. 



The best opportunity ever presented to the American 

 farmers, of combined and energetic action in behalf of 

 their rights, is held out to them at present by the " Or- 

 der of the Patrons of Husbandry," an organization 

 which we shall now proceed to investigate. 



