The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-10-09
THE PATRONS OF HUsBANpRY.

~ PuLLiCo tuc AOuOO duu u8rl-
see organs to know what the grang-
ers are organized for, if not for
political purposes. May we try to
let little light into their confused
intellects upon the subject; promising
by saying that no organization COM
posed of men belonging to various
parties ever did or ever will succeed
that permits political discussions in
Its councils.
The men forming the Patrons of
Husbandry are those having a COM
munity of interests on the subject
of agriculture. They are all inter-
ested in obtaining better prices for
their products, cheaper Transports
ton for what they raise, and gener-
ally in the moral, social, and intel
lectual elevation of the class to
which they belong. The members
may be Democrats, Republicans, or
"sore.heads." The Patron may be
a Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,
Catholic, Jew, Gentle, or Pagan
In the cause of agriculture he is in
accord with all his fellow members,
and can work harmonlously and we'll,
But suppose religion is introduced.
The result is at once divided mem
bership and . weakened and dis.
tracted order. Or suppose that pol
itics are introduced. Discussion
grows heated, animosity takes the
place of concord, and disruption fol-
lows. On one point of politics the
Patrons of Husbandry are agreed
They all favor the election Of honest
men, and men who are in sympathy
with the cause they have at heart.
From the lodge of the order to the
polls is but step, and there the
member can vote for his principles
as represented ia his chosen candi-
date and advance his cause at the
same time. In the hall the Catholic
may say: 81 cannot vote for Mr.. A.
although l know him to be the friend
of the farmers. He belives Elm re-
ligious ostracism, and favors the
election of none but Protestants to
Office; but / will vote for B, who is
equally the friend of our cause, and
who is more liberal in his religious
tenets." Or the Republican may
say: 81 cannot vote for G. He be-
lieves in the dangerous heresy of
State sovereignty he has been all
his life the foe of the North and the
apologist of slavery. He has dan.
gerous ideas on the subject of reve-
nue. reform and the currency, and al
though he is a farmer, and of course
on the question that now agitates us
would be sure to vote right. l pre-
fer to cast my ballot for D, who
agrees with me in everything, and
is at the same time equally the friend
of the farmer. You that favor the
principles of g vote for him, and we
will be sure to have q man in our in.
terests, whichever way the election
turns" ~.
Suppose the grangers nominate
candidates of their own. The very
struggle over the nominations has
the effect of estranging the mem
bers. Incorporate discussions re-
garding the fitness of the various
candidates bring wrangling into the
order where harmony had before
prevailed, and, once precipitated
upon the organization, political dis
putes, like horse full high of breed.
ing, madly are let loose, and frater-
nal feeling gives way to pickering
and strife.
The constitution of the order OF
the Patrons of Husbandry is wisely
drawn. 1t does not, as falsely as.
sumed by morning contemporary,
forbid members from engaging in
politics. Not at all. 1t only for
bids the introduction Of political and
religious discussions in the work OF
the order, leaving the members per-
fectly free to pursue their political
course outside as before. There are
plenty of questions to occupy the
members without going into politics
or religion-the subject of education,
the hundreds of questions pertaining
to agriculture, the improvements in
farming utensils, the subject of SOW
ing and reaping, and generally the
multitudinous questions pertaining to
their business. 1t would be as SEN
sible for the Chicago Board of
Trade, or the Typographical Union,
or the Association of Pork Parkers,
or House Carpenters, to lug political
discussions into their gathering as
for the farmers to do it. The Pat.
rons OF Husbandry are organized as
a cooperative society, like the var
ious others throughout the country,
and nothing would so quickly bring
them to naught rs the introduction
of this most distracting of all ele.
ments.
We again repeat that in the opin.
ion of the true friends OF the farme or
it is better for them to attend to the
business of their order, in the order,
and vote their politics at the polls..
This is the safe course, the harmon.
ious course, the course that will
bring success to their efforts, not
only in social Improvement, but in
obtaining from the party that may
be in power---Republican or Demo.
orstio--reasonable protecti0n BY law
against all the we'll founded evils OF
Il