Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-10-01
Patrons of HuSbandry.

EDITORS CHRONICLE: 1t has occurred
to me that many of your readers would
like to know something concerning the
history, object and aims of the
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY.
an organization which is now attracting a
vast deal of public attention, and which is
growing and spreading very RAPIDLY
throughout the United States.
Many years ago a small body of Scotch
men settled in North Carolina and estab-
lished just such an association. The pre-
sumption is, that they had belonged to
an order in Scotland, though / have not
been able to trace up its origin and histo-
ry in that country. For the want of SYM
pathy and cooperation on the part of the
native population, the order went down
and was lost sight of. Nothing more was
heard of the matter until the year 1856
when o. II. Kelley was commissioned by
President Johnson to make q tour of the
Southern States and report upon the agri-
cultural and mineral resources of the
country. He traversed all the States east
of the Mississippi except Florida and
Mississippi.
He everywhere found the planters in
deplorable condition, perplexed beyond
measure, their plantations run down, their
labor system deranged, their tinan-
ces reduced and and general gloom
resting upon their future prospects.
not remedy for these disasters-if there
were not some way by which they could
DO averted. He pOndered the matter well
thought over it thoroughly, and when he
reached Mobile had matured in his mind
the idea of agricultural societies for practi-
cal cooperation. The question suddenly
occurred to him, Why should not the
farmers, both North and South, unite for
social and educational purposes, with a
view to promote their common interests I?
This became an absorbing question with
him, and that it was one of vital moment
no one can deny.
In November, 1866, he went back to
Washington, still full of the project, and
still determined to press it upon the atten-
ton of some leading and influential men
Whereabouts, some of whom gave it the
cold shoulder and pronounced it a chimer-
zeal undertaking; while others, more out
of respect to the man than confidence in
the enterprise, gave him some encourage
ment. He was not deferred, however, from
prosecuting his aims. He was panoplied
with strong and robust faith in the merits
OF the project, and he resolved TO see it
through.
Mr.. VIM. Sanders, was there, as now,
superintendent, of the Gardens and
Grounds Of the Department of Agricul-
ture; Mr.. William Ireland, then, as now,
Chief Clerk, of the Finance Office, of the
Post Office Department; Rev, DR.. john
Trimble, also of the Treasury Department;
and the Rev. A. B. Grosh, of the Depart
ment, of Agriculture. He laid the whole
subject before these distinguished gentle
men, presented it in all its phases and
urged them to assist him in putting it up
on foot. His convictions and purposes,
were heartily responded TO, and a definite
policy was agreed upon. Messrs. Kelley
and Ireland at once compiled the first de-
gree OF the order OH the evening of August
9Th, 1867. On the 18th of the same month
Mr.. Saunders, who had been directed by
the Commissioner, of the Department of
Agriculture to proceed 10 certain points in
the South and West in the interests of the
Department, took the first degree to St
Louis, where he met with strong encour-
agement from the most prominent agricul-
turalists of that great State. On the eve
ming of December 4th, 1861, the National
Grange was instituted i'm Washington.
The order was now "a fixed fact, and some
gave signs of wonderful power and vitality
The work of organizing State and subor-
dinate Oranges went forward rapidly and
found influential and intelligent allies
everywhere.
Ifany one should ask what is a" Grange"
L answer that it is an organization of far
mers. 1t has for its object improvement.
1t is designed TO elevate and enlighten the
farmer. 1t would qualify him for his
God-giyen profession. It aims TO bring
about these objects by association. 1t
unites those of the same calling into one
great brotherhood for the protection ofall.
1t establishes in every neighborhood a