Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-02
THE PATRONS Of HUSBANDRY.
WHO AND WHAT THEY ARE.
Why the Secret Feature wa. Incorporated
The Farmers Fight Shy Of # for years.

Why the Secret Feature was Incorporated.
Tho Farmers Fight Shy Of # for years.
Organization Of the National Grange"
Deputy Sent Out to Introduce the Order in the
Stdtes-He Finds 1t Up-hiH Bssiness-PrIacipal
Features Of the Order and What Il Proposes 10
Do-Forra Of Organization-No Political or Re
iigiOus Discussion notwithstanding About the
Operations Of the Order-The Secretary's Office in
Complementary 900 Circslars, de-, Sent Out
Last Ysdr-"O Ont Of Debt and Money in Bank'-
The Late InresttgafioD- Wonderful Groucth Of tie
Order--325,O 900 "Pdtrons" in the United States,
de-, dc.
The fact that within q few years past there
has sprung up in the United States . mysterious
and powerful organization known as the
''oRDKR OF THE PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY,"
and that its aims, objects, and operations have
formed the subject of wide spread comment
both by the press and the people, renders inter-
esting and important at this particular time,
the following article compiled for TIE STAR
from authentic and indisputable data. Within
year past, "What are the Patrons of Hus-
bandry?" "What are Grsnges?" "what does
the organization seek to accomplish" &C., &C.,
have been the queries in almost every mouth
On one hand 1t has been stigmatized Is Q politi-
cal machine run in the interests of the republi-
can party; and on the other as q deep laid plot
to secure the election of q democratic President
in 1876. A popular belief Is that the order WAS
organized expressly to defend agriculturists
against the growing aggressions of railroad and
other monopolfes, and to send to the White
House on the 80 of March. 1871, some Individual
fresh from bucolc pursuits, "with hay seed in
his hair, - and smelling Of the clover fields and
tive OF the nation. Random articles have APP
peared from time to time in the press purporting
to give sketch of the Order and omething of its
purposes, but in the main these publications
nave been grossly inaccurate. In view of the
growing interest felt in the movement and the
many msstatements put forth 1t is deemed
proper to lay before the public something re-
liable in reference to the origin, character, and
aims OF the organization referred to.
ORIGIN OF THE ORDER.
The project of national union of agricul-
turists was first conceived by live Yankee
while on a visit to the southern states In 1866,
and was matured and put In operation in the
city of Washington in the year 1861 by a few
thoughtful and earnest men, who, after careful
deliberation, became convinced not only of its
practicability but of the desirabeDess of such
An organization. In January, 1876. Mr.. y. II.
Kelley, who was then connected with the De-
partment of Agriculture, a native of Boston,
and the owner of farm in Minnesota, received
q commission from President johnson to make
tour of the southern states and report upon
the agricultural and mineral resources of the
country. The war had been closed but few
months, and naturally enough he did not expect
to meet with a very friendly reception from the
people Of the South, especially since he visited
Being member u the Essenc frste efeT
however, and Of good address, he traversed ali
Of the states east Of the Mississippi except
pleasant incident. He found that the
"MYsrIo TIE OF BRoTHeRHoopu
was still sacredly regarded among the Mssons
Of the South. War had but Just swenr over the
az NIL ~ a.
material recuperation had scarcely begun. The
planters, suddenly deprived Of their peculiar
institution, !" were in daze. They knew moth
Ing Of the free labor system, or how to prac-
ideally avail themselves Of its advantages, and
were waiting as II for some revelation from
depressing state Of affairs, Mr.. Kelley mentally
inquired II there was not some remedy for 1t;
some way BY which the planters Of the South
could be ronsed from their iethargy and be
made to realize the brilliant possibilities Of
their noble calling Deeply impressed with the
necessity OF some action, he reached the city Of
Mobile, where he hrst conceived the idea Of the
UNION OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
for practical cooperation. He remembered
that these societies were separate and indepen-
dent organizations, having no interest in one
another, and the question suddenly occurred to
him, "Why could not the farmers, both north
and south, unite the same a. the Masons, who
have chung together for thousands Of years, for
social and educational purposes with view to
promote their common interests?" After spend
Ing four months In the south and mentioning
his views on such an organization to q number
Of prominent gentlemen, most OF whom were
inclined to think fsvorably CT It, he returned to
his farm In Minnesota, where he remained all
summer.
THB FOUNDERS OF THE "NEw DIsPRNsArIoN,n
In November Of 1866 he came to Washington
and procured q clerkship In the Post Office de-
Tartment. He did not relinquish his project
and mentioned 1t to q number of gentlemen,
most Of whom treated the matter with indiffer-
ence and few Of whom gave him encourage
ment. Among the latter were Mr.. William
gardens and grounds Of the Department OF
Agriculture; Mr.. William NJ. ireland, then ss
now, chief CLERK Of the finance Office of the
son, of the Treasury department.; Rev. Dr..
John Trimble, also Of the Treasury depart
ment and the Rev. A. b. Grosh, of the depart
scarcely necessary to cay that he was eminently
and peculiarly qualified both by education aud
experience to aid and advise in such an UNDER
taking, He had been aresdent of the United
States for about twenty years, and prior to his
emigration Lither had made his mark in Great
Britain as
SCIENTIFIC AGRICULrURIsr,
hortculturist and landscape gardener. Soon
after his arrival in this country he became ed
itorially connected with several prominent ag-
with signal ability and success. Aside from
this, as is well known, he has contributed ar
ticles relating to the vocations with which he
has always been identified, for various sta ndard
publications, until he has become authority
on the subjects referred to. While in London
engaged in the business of landscape GARDEN
ing, he saw the necessity for organizations
among persons engaged in that pursuit, which
should bring them frequently together for the
interchange of views as to the best means Of at
tanning success in their business and for the
purpose of instruction in the several branches
of science, such as botany, chemistry, & c., with
which the young landscape gardener must make
himself at least tolerably familiar II he would
achieve eminence in his calling. He set him
self about organizing such associations, and In
short time was pleased to note their elevating
influence on the minds and morals Of the class
referred to, and the consequent Improvement
In the status Of landscape gardening. It was
therefore fortunate that he should have had
A DIRHCrfHe HAND
in the organization Of the Order, which now
occupies prominent position before the ooun-
try. OF the other gentlemen mentioned, Il II
only necessary to say that they were land are)
men OF excellent judgment and superior educa-
ton, and that all Of them were high members
Of the Masonic fraternity and other secret or
ders, and being proficient in rituAlism, their