Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-12-20
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY.

Iue ulettluS VI the OidT kSFllle IcDdc-
co District Council, Dec. LIST, 1873, the |
appointed TO write an ad-
dress for publication, respectfully SUBJ
nit as follows:
The necessity for some kind of or
ganization through which to assert the
rights of all engaged in agricultural
pursuits against the unjustassumptions
of corporate monopoly, is evident to all
intelligent minds. This necessity was
the principal cause for which the meet
ing was called. in order to establish a
council of the Patrons of Husbandry.
The order of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry was instituted in 1867; its
growth is unparalleled in the history
of secret organizations and it is ac-
knowledged to be one Of the most useful
and powerful organizations in the
world. 1t is now represented in every
State in the Union, and the Canadas,
numbering, on the 18th of November,
1886 subordinate Oranges with 49,, 625
members in the United States. The
State Grange of Tennessee was or
ganized July I'd, 1873, and it has now
256 subordinate Oranges.
The objects Of the order are not only
general improvement in Husbandry
but to increase the general happiness,
wealth, and prosperity of the country,
recognizing that individual happiness
depends upon general prosperity.
The secrecy of the ritual and pro-
ceedings of the Order has been adopted
chiefly for the purpose of accomplish
ing the desired efficiency, extension
and unity, and to secure among its
members in the internal working OF the
Order, confidence, harmony, and secur
ity. Its teachings are the Hottest that
man can seek. 1t does not interfere
with his religious or political views.
In morality it seeks the highest point.
Honesty is inculcated, education nur-
tured, christianity is prominent char
acteristic, temperance is supported, and
brotherly love cultivated. Discarding
the principles which shut out woman
from a knowledge of the mysteries,
it opens wide the door and bids her
welcome. The presence of women
gives to the order virtue, dignity and
charity.
1t inculcates charity, sobriety, ener-
gy, industry, economy and honesty.
Hence any farmer becoming a Patron
cannot be injured in person or estate,
but may, by cooperation with his fell
low beings, greatly benefit himself and
extend his benefcent influence to all
around him.
The Order has for its object system
attic organization among farmers, and
horticulturists throughout the Union,
endeavoring to secure among them in
innate social relation in their pursuits,
with an appreciation and protection of
their true interests. By such means
may be accomplished that which ex-
lists throughout the country in all other
vocations and among all classes: COM
Jined cooperative association for iadi-
riduaL improvement and common
benefit
Among the advantages which may
be derived from the Order are system
attic arrangements for procuring and
disseminating, in the most expeditions
manner information relative to crops,
demand and supply, prices, markets
and transportation throughout the
country also for the purchase and ex-
change of stock, seeds and all things
needed to make the farmers home
happy and attractive; and also for
protecting them against impositions of
worthless patents, frauds, receptions,
and combinations of every kind.
1t ignores all political or religious
discussions in the On der, it does not
solicit the patronage of any sect, asso-
citation, or individual, upon any ground
whatever, except upon intrinsic merits
of the order.
Cooperation is necessary in order
that the farmers burdens may be Ii CHIT
ened, that they may receive a greater
reward for their labor, have cheap
money and no monopolies.
Farmers are powerful in numbers,
scattered over millions of miles Of ter
ritory, and heretofore have been isola-
ted in business in manner, unsOcial !;
bound to different political parties,
prone to be led by the sweet words of
the shrewd politician. They have
Z RlNtU Cdl W tEC ldlSc
of the sharp specu lator and have acted
as if their vocatiOns aimed at nothing
and as if their duty was to labor pa
tiently year in and year out to produce
for market something that other peo-
pie set price upon. But now farmers
are beginning to wake up from their
slumbering lethary and throw off
the heavy burdens and the iron
yoke that has been so long upon them,
and with bright eyes, and lofty hopes,
say:
''Oh, we need no politicians to aid us in the
fight,
/ We are firm and Self-reliant in battling for
the right.
| Bold monopoly and faction well ever keep
at bay,
/ And dishonesty shall tremble when farm
ers clear the way"
We therefore present for your con-
sideratiOn the importance of deyising
means TO protect honest farmers from
the unjust charge of nesting or false
packing their tobacco, and restore the
| former high character of the Clarks-
vile Tobacco in the foreign markets,
/ for whilst we have to admit with shame,
that some farmers have been engaged
in the disreputable practice, yet we as
sumo that in the main this practice of
nesting or false packing is INDUCED in
/ to far greater extent, by small pur-
! chasers who prize and sell in the name
of the farmer purchased from. This
should no longer be tolerated The
present mode of inspecting is also liza
bic to gross abuses and will demand
your consideration.
The importance of establishing a
! Grange Bank, must be apparent to
every one whereby the farmer will be
enabled to draw on his produce, and
pay his Just debts without being de-
pendent on the heartless Spectator,
prompting sales at rulnouS prices.
Another subject that presents itself
to your consideration is the unjust
discrimination of the general govern
ment in favor of manufacturers, rail-
roads, and patentees, against the toll
ing millions. thereby making the rich
richer and the poor poorer, species of
/ legislation at variance with every prin-
/ ciple of justice, whereby the manufac-
turer, by reason of an unjust tariff, is
| in many instances enabled to sell his
goods at double the cost Of the pro
duction.
We also deem it justly obnoxious to
donate the public lands, loan the gov
eminent bonds and thereby tax the
people to build railroads, to be run in
the interest of certain localities and
discriminate in their freight tariffs to