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schools, however excellent, but by enforced habits of reading, thought, and reflection in connection with the pursuits in after life, and if not so acquired, it is never acquired at all."

Such were the sentiments, and such the massive logic, of the man who was opposed by many politicians of both parties, whose interest it is to keep the masses ignorant; opposed by that class of scholiasts who conceive that high education is only for the few aristocrats of mere wealth; opposed, also, by various classes of citizens, including even farmers and mechanics, who believed his scheme of education Utopian. In Illinois, bigotry and mismanagement have sadly squandered the means and dwarfed the fruit of the industrial education scheme; but we have the satisfaction of seeing in some of the other States, and especially in the neighboring ones of Michigan and Iowa, this beneficent system growing and developing year by year towards the high standard of its projectors' ideal hopes.

PERSONAL SIMPLICITY, AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS WORK.

The early life of Professor Turner was one of poverty and privation. Thus he early learned the value of economy. In later life he continued to practice a prudent economy from choice. But economy with his nature did not carry meanness. He is generous and noble in his instructions. Believing extravagance the great and growing folly of his countrymen, he continues to this day, although in the possession of an ample fortune, to practice the utmost simplicity in his dress consistent with the proper usages of society.

Desiring no public position or office or power, except the power he has exercised for good in his day and generation;

working daily in his green old age on his farm; his children settled comfortably in life,-he awards a generous hospitality to those of his many friends who may visit him at his home. His declining years solaced by a knowledge that he has ever sought to benefit mankind, he looks back with satisfaction. upon his efforts in the various means which he has used to do good to his country and its people, through the discussion of the numberless questions which he has treated-the natural sciences, internal improvements, industrial education, the tariff, finance, etc. He may well be proud, if his modesty would allow, of the praise bestowed upon him by Daniel Webster while Secretary of State. Mr. Webster pronounced an earlier essay by Professor Turner on the currency question "one of the ablest papers he had ever read." His definition of liberty was: "That liberty is the right of every sentient being to a sphere of action and enjoyment suited to that capacity of action and enjoyment which God has given each individual creature." This has been universally admired and accepted by many political writers as the most comprehensive and accurate definition of liberty in the English language.

CHAPTER XLIX.

WHAT THE GROUNDSWELL HAS ACCOMPLISHED.

THE GOOD WORK IN CALIFORNIA.

In California the Granges have done noble work toward disenthralling the people from the power of some of the combinations and rings that heretofore have held the industrial interests in their grasp. In the fight for political regeneration, they have exercised their power (though not as an organization), against monopolies, and with decided success. The brilliant and convincing arguments of Governor Booth (lately elevated to the United States Senate) contributed much toward the triumph of popular rights. The entering wedge has found a lodgment in that State that will, it is believed, rend the gnarled stump of corruption there. Large amounts of money have already been saved to the members of the Clubs and Granges, and the farmers of the State have been brought into closer brotherhood. The fraternal feeling thus engendered is constantly making clearer the fact, so often demonstrated, that in co-operation toward a given end lies the power of the masses for good. That an organization so young as is the Grange in California should have accomplished so great good, seems truly surprising, until we reflect how great was the necessity for action there. It speaks well for the intelligence of the people

of the State, that they should have worked so practicaly and harmoniously toward the end sought.

IN OTHER WESTERN STATES.

Kansas wheels into line with her Clubs and Granges, Nebraska following close after. Iowa, with her grand consolidation of Granges, striking blows as with a pile-driver, already sounds in the ears of monopolies the knell that betokens a speedy funeral. Minnesota and Wisconsin, with their Clubs and Granges, are marching shoulder to shoulder in the battle for human rights. Illinois, strong in her amalgamated organization, is in the fore front of the fray. Her sturdy shout rings out clear with every stroke of the axe at the root of the upas tree of monopoly. Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, though feeling less the evils that are experienced elsewhere, are working manfully for the good

cause.

Every-where the jealousies that at first seemed to exist between the secret and open organizations are gradually giving way to the knowledge that, in the work in hand, there must be no faltering nor looking back; that each have their legitimate sphere of action; and that each, however many there may be, is necessary to the other.

As the flint against the steel elicits sparks, so the friction of mind against mind, at the Club and Grange meetings, is developing not simply good debaters, but even orators whose eloquent utterances have power to stir the masses to noble efforts.

To have been assured of this it was only necessary to have attended the convention at Decatur, of the Illinois Farmers' Association, December 15, 1873, when for four days, hold

ACTION OF THE IOWA STATE GRANGE.

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ing three long sessions each day, full delegations from the Clubs and Granges of every County in the State save one were present The work of this representative body of men, together with the work and resolutions of the Iowa State Grange, and the Illinois State Grange, which met the week previously-the first in Des Moines, Iowa, and the latter at Bloomington, Illinois-will serve to show the animus and earnestness of the men engaged in the movement.

ACTION OF THE IOWA STATE GRANGE, DECEMBER, 1873.

The resolutions passed by these three great conventions are important in many respects. The platform of the Iowa Patrons of Husbandry, was confined principally to the inner workings of the order. It recommends the establishment of a circulating library, in connection with the Subordinate Granges, a step of the greatest importance, and productive of vast good as a means of still further educating the members in social and intellectual life. It is also easy of accomplishment, since the only obstacle is a financial one that may be easily overcome. A committee was also appointed to arrange for the establishment of a newspaper, to be strictly educational in its character-an organ of the Order, which should be the mentor and teacher of each Grange.

The Iowa Patrons also expressed themselves strongly as to the necessity of a modification of the school laws, that they might be more efficiently carried out in practical education through efficient teachers. While doing this, they emphatically urge the continued education of the farmers after the school days are over. Hence, the necessity of libraries to which all may have access. The Patrons fully acknowledge the importance of the common schools, the