Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-15

and to elevate them as class both social
ly and intellectually. That its growth
has been rapid and is destined to contin
ne so, is doubtless an indisputahIe fact
That some good will come out Of it can
hardly be doubted, since any movement
that will have tendency to excite the
farmer, mechanic or laborer to better his
condition, or to combine with bis neigh
bors to ascertain and TO secure his rights,
can scarcely fail to be productive of good.
The physicians have their Medical Asso
Citations, the lawyers have their associa-
tons: and, although they may not in
spirit be inimical to the interests of the
farmer, those associations cannot and will
not operate to bis benefit, since they are
naturally organized for their own benefit,
if not for their own aggraudizement.-
The farmers should attempt no organiza
ton in any spirit of antagonsim, either to
the professions, or to trade. But it is
their duty to organize in societies of some
kind for mutual protection and benefit
The monopolist, that is, the extensive
manufacturer and the common carrier, is
the greatest natural or unnatural enemy
of the laboriDg class. The professions,
especially those of scientific character,
ought always to join hands with the Ia
boring class, as one is absolutely indis-
pensible to the other. While the profes
SONS combine to fix certain price for
certain professional services, the idea is
to adopt q uniform practice. This is
most certainly just while such prices are
reasonable. Laborers cannot combine,
if they would, to un-fx those prices, nor
can they say to the professions in return
that they will not employ them. But
appeals to reason aud justice are their on
" alternative, and these can be made.
But how is it with the monopolist9
Whittier shall we flee, and to whom shall
we appeal? What principle common to
humanity is found in corporation?
What system but that of oppression and
injustice is known to them? Ard where
or whittier shall we fly for relief? Those
are questions not so easily answered. To
this eud the Order of the Patrons OF
Husbandry propose 10 enliglen us. Yet,
whether the workings of the order are
secret or public, its effects must be public.
There may be power in its secresy, but
there is more in its action. Its action
may be impedtd by the friction of it's
own machinery, especially if the same be
too cumbersome. This is a question
which time must decide.
On the whole, believing its objects to
be good-even noble, perhaps-we be-
speak for the Order good word--a
word of cheer and encouragement. AS
a moral and social institution, made up
as it is of intelligent persons of both sexes,
it cannot fail to be both pleasant and
profitable The laboring classes cannot
well make their condition any worse than
it now is, hence any change must be for
good, even if it works lily at the outset {.
The time is coming when the intelligent,
laboring masses will command that res
pect TO which they are justly entitled ,
and the on y reason why thy do not re
ceive it now, is that they do not unite in
asking it. So long as any class in soci
ETY. will consent to slaves, just so long
will they continue to be oppressed.
That the railroad monupolists must
hold us with an iron grasp, is fact gen
orally conceded, and yet we daily
strengthen the hand that thus gripes us.
We welcome the oppresser as we would
deiiyerer, aud our petitions and prayers
are sent to state legislature, and TO con
gress 70. further public aid to these en-
ginss of oppression. But we excuse our
selves on the ground Of necessity and
equality and magnanimity, too.-
Locality next comes to our aid. and we
like TO be served as well, and quite as Iii as
our neighbors.
Well, if the Patrons of Husbandry
can set us right, or initiate us into the
first steps towards setting ourselves right,
let us be thankful for the existence of the
"order," and for whatever good we may
derive from it.