Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-06-26
From the Southern Farm and Home.
Letter from John plowhandles.
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRYEzeRANGEs-
co.oprp.rro,r .,soNs EApxEpe

years, have watched with interest
: and close attention the growth and
development Of the agricultural or.
der known as "Patrons of Husban,
dry" 1 admit that at first, the move
ment having originated in that mod
ern Sodom, Washington city, I look.
ed upon it with disfavor and distrust.
Fl thought that itimight be dodge Of
designing men to form ring, by
which to control. and defraud the ag-
riculturists Of our country, and use
them as tools for some iniquitous po-
I litical purpose. I did not like the
secret feature of the organization,
and was strongly disinclined to favor
the spread of the order in the South
ern States.
I have come, however, to find that
my fears were gfoundless-that the
aims and objects of the Patrons of
Husbandry" are all praiseworthy,
benevolent and wise, and from hav-
ing been an, opponent, of the move
ment, + am now one+of it's most earn
est advocates.
Having seen your candid and
straightforward avowal of your opin-
ions on this subjectin your last issue,
and judging therefrom that if you
are satisfied that this agricultural
combination Is for the good of the
Farmers, you will advocate it, I ven
Fture to give you and your many read
ers my humble views in relation to
it, in the belief that. whether you
and they agree with me or hot, you
will atlleast give me credit for hon
esty and sincerity.
In the first place, 1 can assure you
| that the order of Patrons,of Husban-
dry is in no sense a political organi-
zation. Party politics are entirely
excluded from the discussions in the
Oranges" or local lodges. You
need not, therefore, feel any appre-
hehsion that they can ever become
political associations or clubs, to be
moved and directed by what are
known as political leaders .Yh' Sc
Oranges, which now exist in nearly
every county of every State ia the
Union, are simply co-operative,asso-
Citations Of farmers, the members Of
which combine to promote the best
interests OF the agricultural popula-
ton, protect them against extortion
and imposition, enable them to FRO
cure what they need of the best
quality and at the cheapest price,
point out the best and most advanta-
geous markets for their produce, ad-
vance their social enjoyment and cul
ture, and thus by unity of purpose,
harmony Of action, and combination
of strength, constitute a power in
the land which legislators and politi-
ana moroponHs oare not stsss,tfll:: Ia ''~'r
In the beginning, these. Oranges
were formed for the purpose of eman-
cipating the farmer from the thrall-
dom of the middlemen, and enabling
them to purchase what they needed,
and sell what they had produced by
direct intercourse with the manufac-
trrels and consumers. This you will.
agree is "consumination devoutly
to be wished" Next. these associa-
tions have com bined for protection
against the cruel and crushing ezac'
tons of the railroads in their dlscrin-
mating schedules Of freights, by which
the profits of the farmer toll Is swal-
lowed up. This too Is benevolent
and wise purpose. Then these as.
sociations, hy the Intercourse OF thelf;
members, and their members fani-
lies-for the farmers wives and daugh-
ters are admitted to membership
and the constant inter. .communica-
tion of the Oranges, one with anoth-
er;, terd directly to the mental I'M
! provement and general enlightenment
Of the. members, and bring about in
innate social relations, promotive of
increased happiness and comfort:
The secrecy of the organization and
the formalities Of initiation and ad-
vancement in the order, serve to bind
the members together in closer broth
erhood, and separate their interests
and nnrpcses from those of the eut-
side world.
It is amazing what progress the or
der has made. The Patrons of Hus-
bandry cannot now nuhber much
less than a. million of the sons and
daughters of the land, and sday by
day this number is increasing by the
formation Of new Oranges.
The movement is very .gopalaF,at
the South. The best, wisest:aad most
ear4egtgqf ours fagming q popplation
hasgsaonidedi = n { e iiaitg ands tkeaay s:oan-
nosbssfa distant itaf when a power 80
formidabA ssitss numbers. byTsin-
Auence and5its ssxsensWe ramifca-
tions, will be- 6eiasthfougheut the
land, impressi1g SO slfppon the leg
islation5f the various States, and
remsdWy nga tn eaabuses eorgup.
;. tianW sdisgraes the cdapfey
ana wsateits Tsaan sNesesasssAaf ssss fiB
befoffe long tfis gafiiza5ToA wiilieX
. ert itseH' in favor a free trade, mas
much as every aerieulturist, whether
he resides in t}re Northwest or: tht
, South, must realize the fact that al
r proteetiye, duties are burdens ,uppI
, agriculture and clogs upon 'itS prd
: gress. -. p.
4 Thus far. I see nothing but anal
r royed good din. the order. 1t is 'ni,
r purpose to devote all my energies
r feeble though they be, to promote il
g spread and firm establishment ant
/. should Tbe fortunate enough to. Sc
a Gu, for it the influence and suppor
1 of the Farm and Home, shaik6ee
q tibet have done an inportnnt. PEI
! vice to cause which I firmly 6ehsy
o to be,the promotion ,of the happines
e and prosperity Of the nurherbds arf
+ worthy class for which yoa and. j
y MIR. Editor, have labored, and wit
/ which we have been Identified for
10 many years. You. know that I al
N c;l q, o,,,t,uo ~ br ,a,,ol+;or