Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-05-08
The Order Of ofHusbnndry.

The Order Of fHusbandry.
The Western farmers movement with
its accompanying oranges, is attracting
great attention on account Of its political
significance. As information upon the
subject becomes more full, the Importance
of the subject is magni6ed, for it is shown
that these Associations arc not mere con.
course Of people impellcd by casual emo
tion, but parts of an organized system, pos,
sessing vast influence and capable of con
certed action. 1t seems that the "order
of Patrons Of "Husbandry,"as it is called,
did not originate in the West, but the idea
was first borrowed from an Association
that had existed for many years in COM
munity Of Scotch farmers in North Carolins
1t is said to be nothing more than a secret,
co operative, industrial and literary asso-
citation. In the winter of 1867, while
several of tn. leading agriculturists Of the
West were in Washington on businds
concerning the farmers interests, the char
acter OF this Society became known to
them. The idea was taken up, and elab.
GRATED SO as to serve for the purposes Of o
large and influential Order. and in the
Spring of 1868, the order was introduced
by the institution of at Itasca, Minneso,
to. From this beginning it spread gradu-
ally through Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
and Illinois, so that about the beginning
Of 1872, the number Of members in those
four States were estimated at about 75,.
600. Later occurrences gave great i'm,
petus to the movement, 50 that the mem,
bership in the four States is now cstima.
ted at 100000.
From Western paper we CLEAN some
account of the Order. 1t is secret soci-
ETY., with regular degrees; women as we'll
as men are admitted in the subordinate
oranges, but females cannot get beyond the
6rst degree are designated respectfully as
Laborer and Maid in the second degree as
Cultivator and Shepherdess in the third
degree as Harvester and Cleaner, and in the
fourth degree as Husbandman and Matron.
The other higher degrees are conferred
upon the men only, and belong to the
higher lodges, or oranges, as they are styl-
ed. The seventh degree is the highest
that can be attained, and is Only conferred
upon officials of the next highest order.
The supreme executive authority in the
Order is lolged 10 the Master of the Ma
tional Grange, but each subordinate grange
elects its own officers. The lower oranges
mast meet at least once month, State
oranges once year, and the National
grange every two years.
The Order is somewhat beneficial in ito
character, as it exercises a supervision Of
its members and assists those who are un,
fortunate. The oranges appoint agents
Of their own for the sale Of agricultural
implements. In some places they have
purchased or leased grain elevators; in
Iowa they have built an agricultural i'm
plement factory of large capacity, and
similar enterprises are projected there and
elsewhere.
The political sigifcancc Of such an or
ganization can hardly be overestimated.
A body of such thorough organization is
formidable instrument in the hands Of able
men, and tho Order comprises many such.
The growth Of such associations cannot
but powerfully affect the politics Of the
whole nation, and effect permanent changes
in legislation.