Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-10
The Patrons Of Husbandry.

Even if there be any DOUBT as TO the
grievances of the farmers and the expe-
diency of the remedy they propose for
them, there can be none about the ear
nestness oftheir purpose to test its value,
for it is apparent to every one that,
throughout the length and breadth of
this great country, the Oranges are daily
growing in membefs, influence and inn
portance.
And with the growth of the order,
fears spring up in many quarters that
serious results may ensue from these ef
forts of the farmers at reform, unless
they are SO judiciously directed and so
conservatively controlled as to be kept
within bounds Of moderation, and not
permitted to make the rights and inter
ests of the farmers clash with the rights
and interests of other men in other
branches of business who are dependent
upon them, and upon whom they are
dependent for the preservation of that
prosperity and the promotion of that
welfare which is common to the whole
people of the whole country. Such fears
are constantly and mischievously ex-
pressed by the Radical press generally.
And in this connection we would warm
the Oranges MOTTO permit themselves to
be captured by designing men and used
for purposes foreign to those for which
they have been honorahly instituted.
The constitution Of the Oranges, Ma
tional, State and Subordinate, declares,
in express terms, that religious or po-
litical questions. will not be tolerated as
subjects of discussion in the work of the
order, and that no political or religious
uses for membership shall be applied
The gentlemen who heye been promi-
nent in introducing the order also make
the same declaration. If these declara-
tions, therefore, are to be believed, there
can be no objection to the order because
of it's being political organization.
That combination and concert of ac-
ton on the part of farmers, will, in many
ways, practically and materially advance
their interests and promote their well
fare. eanflGs be denied; and probably no
calling in life has Hitherto availed itself
so little of the mighty po%er underlying
the principle Of cooperation ash has that'
of the farmer. Certainly no interest has
been so much at the mercy Of other in
terests or so much preyed upon by other
interests as the farming interest. Sep
arated and scattered by the very nature
and necessities Of thelf clalhng, the cul-
tivatops Of the soil have eyer, as a gene
raj rule, made less profit from its pro-
ducts than any of the many classes Of
men who handle them.
Incidental to the general advantages
that will accrue to the country from All
improvement in the condition of the
farmers, there is one that we look for
ward to with much hope, and that is
closer union between the people Of the
South asad the people of tho. Northwest.
The interests of tt.b,ssse two sections are so
similar, or, rather, c.ct, r4;>.ii;,on seems so
fitted to supply the wants Of tie ......;sccr;
that closer communion between the
two can result only in common good.
And al Tfasent we sec no machinery
so we'll calculated e bring abcnt' that
closer communion bet~eelt two SECTIONS
of the country, each having need OF tlie
other, and each being able to supply the
wants of the other, as the Farmers
Oranges or Patrons of Husbandry, or
one that promises to be SO free from en-
taugling political questions of the pres
ent and tho past. Let the. farmers, there
fore, while seeaqag to advance their own
interests. avoid injury a9 others: Let
them also steadily set their daees against
the prostitution of their order to usre
political partizan purposes, and all will
be we'll. Let them do otherwise, how
ever, arl harm, and harm only, will
come to them, and to the country at
larpa.