Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-10-03
Patrons of Husbaudry.

Editor Sentinel,-A few weeks previously !
addressed you my views relative to the organ
ization of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
In this communication propose to treat Of
the objects of that Order.
The great mission of the Patrons of Irusban-
dry is to ameliorate the condition of the pro-
ductive classes of this State and naton-not
TO build up great and powerful political par
~, but to assist the farmer and aid him in be-
coming better farmer educating himself and
children better, aud giving him a broader and
higher view of agriculture as n profession. II
is not to wage war upon any other class or
profession, but TO place them in higher posi-
ton that they may have less use for middle
men and spectators, and give them an oppor-
tunity TO invest their means in manufactures
of implements required on the farm, thus re-
moving all antagonism of interests, and to
work in harmony with them, believing that
the mutual cooperation of all the various de-
partmcnts of human industry are essential to
the healthy development of our best resources
and the prosperity of the State and nation.
The most intelligent farmers are the first to
see the necessity of the organization, and many
inform me that they have had some undgest-
ed plan for years for the organization of all
engaged in agriculture, but could never sys.
tematize and make practical their own ideas
but the moment the Order of the Patrons oil
llusbandry is explained and its objects and
teachings laid before them, they exclam, ''Eu-
| reka' This organization is the outcropping
of the wish ofall for thorough and complete
system of cooperation, which would not only
result in individual but common benefit to all
mankind 1t is intended for the thorough and
complete protection, by every honorable means,
of the farming interests from the schemers and
sharpers and corruptionists, whose close com
bination threaten the destruction of our. coun-
try
| The Importance of union and cooperation,
OF concert of action, are becoming more thor
oughly understood and appreciated. The Sc
crecy of the Order in its ritual is for the pur-
pose Of efficiency, cohesion, unity, harmony,
! protection and security. Many have dread
of the little word secret. They associate with
! it all kinds Of mischief, misery, know-nothing-
ism and ku-kluxsm, and all kinds of diaboli-
cal doings, seeming TO forget that the most
| charitable organizations in the world are Sc
cret Orders-the Masons and Odd Fellows.
Many think that secrecy means mischief and
nothing else, but nothing could be further
the principles in which we believe, and also
unlocks its great teachings to its members
Look around and see who it is that succeeds
best in business Is it the man who is boast
ing of his sharp tricks and PRACTICES and tells
all about how it is DONE or the man who keeps
his own counsels The man who tells lis
sharp specuations yon may put down as q
financial failure, but the man who keeps his
own secrets succeeds. The secrets of the fam
lily circle are never made public. Then why
object to secrecy, when you practise 1t every
day, yourself? This Order is secret for. no
other reason than for self-protection. 1t is not
only man against man in the race for gain but
classes of men against each other, bulls against
bears, and rice rersa, and all combined aim
their shafts against the productive interests of
the country. -
In this Order, owing to its secrecy, the far
mer will be emboldened to express his sent-
ments fully, and this very freedom ofSfxpres-
sion will cement moro firmly the fracrnal
bond, and the conclusions reached can be rap
idly communicated TO other Oranges, until
perfect concert Of action shall be attained in
all things. The members of the Patrons of
Husbandry believe that they are building up
and sustaining one of the grandest rcforma-
tons the world has ever witnessed. The teach
ings and instruction, the protection and the
moral elevation of the working-man, the ac-
acknowledgement Of the only true nobility, that
of the heart and the instinct, the more general
prosperity of the great producing class, bet
ter education of the masses, better social I'M
Outstanding, are but portion of the objects of
this Order.
We believe that this Order is so systcmati-
zed, its cohesive power is such that it can do
more to secure the welfare of the productive
industry of this State, and bring about that
long needed association and concert of action,
SO essential to the recuperative energies of the
mass of the Southern people than any and all
other means combined. In fact, it is the only
hope of the Southern people. The information
it disseminates in relation TO crops, its study
of the law of supply and demand, its manu!ac-
turing information, the great question of
cheaper transportation in all its bearings as to
the relation OF farm products, and the interests
of the consumer, sale offarm products directly
to the consumer, manufacturer and exporter,
the purchase of agricultural implements, seeds,
manures, and family supplies at lower rates
than farmers have been in the habit of buying,
are but few of the objects to be attained as
taught by this Order,
This great upheaval of the world-feeding
and world-clothing class, astonishes caucusses,
cliques and rings, and their would-b be dictators
and masters.
As long as agricultural societies and far
mers' clubs, in their isolated condition, com
planned by resolutions, it was all very well,
their complaining of tariffs for the benefit of a
few already rich manufacturers, was unheed-
ed; but now we see a new order of things inau-
gurated, and already the muttering thunder oil
opposition is beginning to be heard, very low
and distant, at present, but sure to break upon
the head of the farmer, as he strikes at fraud
corruption; but let him stand fast and when
the oranges, clubs and conventions shall lift
up their voices and announce that concert Of
action has been fully determined upon, legs-
lators will heed and pass more equitable laws,