Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-09-26
For the journal.
Patrons Of IfusbslaldrY.


tlemen of SO much courtesy as the
editors of the JOURNAL, but T can't
possibly refrain from making a few
comments upon an editorial in the
DAILY of the 10th inst, IN which you
take Issue i'll a general way, with the
sentiments of my article, published in
the same paper.
We are not SO far apart in our views
on the subject as at first it appeared.
The difference is more imaginary
than real. Ny dealings are with the
rereaied programme of the order.
Your views seem based upon the hope
that there lies within the Udit greater,
grander and nobler schemes than have
yet been unfolded.
[ will candidly admit, that if the
Patrons of Husbandry will mount the
i1tattoaUe as National political or
ganization, with free Trade as a dis
tlnctlve feature, for one will heartily
join in, provided it is not secret
political society.
Secret political societies in our day
have never brought forth much fruit
for the good of the country. The
'know Nothings" We're failure, most
signal. The weak and ridiculous fea-
lures of their secresy could not
withstand the ridicule of Henry A.
Wise when he unsheathed his sarcas
tic blade, III his successful crusade
for their overthrow. The Loyal
League was Il success, undoubtedly at
least but there exists some difference
of opinion between the inhabitants of
the two sections of this nor united
and happy country" as 20 the benefi-
cent results of It's operations
How would the secret oaths, POmO-
IA, Ceres and other NEUROLOGICAL wor-
thies, who figure in the organization
OF the Patrons of Husbandry, stand
the test of ridicule and satire, which
| it must necessarily encounter, when
brought III "public on the stages"
1t might be inferred, from the tenor
of your article, that the real object Of
the Oro4cr' IS one Of its secrets, and
| that the published or ostensible object
is simply to induce the Farmers of the
South, with the promise off individual
| pecuniary benefit, to enlist under its
| banners.
If, as a Reform party, it will go to
| work and reform, first men, and then
measures, it will certainly receive the
| cordial support of all honest men in
| the country.
If it will go to work openly and
| bravely for the purpose of scattering
and dividing out among the other
Atlantic seaports the great overshad
owing business of the middle men,
| that is now concentrated at one sea
port, to wit New Yorh, whether sue
| cessful or not, their eXertions would
be appreciated they would be aided
in this endeavor by every one who has
| l,a i,,to Of Of hoa
[ trust | am not guilty of the "folly"
of suppOsing that the world can get
along without money or merchants.
The idea I attempted to advance
was that the Oranges proposed,
under certain circumstances, to sub
;stltute their own agents or creatures
| III the place Of the existing class. This
| regard as an error. The .'mew issue"
or agents viii have to acquire all that
the merchants, now in the field, have
in 11Ossessicn- their houses, fine horses.
gilded furniture, iewelry, &c, III ad-
dition to obtaining such business
| knowledge, us Is necessary for n sue
cessful prosecution of their enterprises.
The farmers, of course, will have all
this to l'0y for over again, no matter
how chc0p the prospect-hence the
change must be for the worse.
You remark, cit is because you de-
sire to see the merchants of Whining
ton and other Southern cities do a
large portion of the trade now done in
New York that you look with hope for
beneficial results from this movement"
Every one who wishes the prosperity
of his own State must certainly echo
this desire. | am sure [ do from the
bottom of my heart, but [ have not
been able to see any such tendency on
their pat. The general idea is, ''unite
in purchasing III large quantities-from
headquarters, Cincinnati and New
Iork'-which policy, were it possible
to carry out, would be fatal to the in
terests of every Southern city they
would be crushed beneath the concelt-
t t,'dtcd, Centralized isht of this grand
| agricultural Ring. OF Course farm
ers have as much right TO a Ring as
anybody else. This, though, is rather
inconsistent with avowed principles of
reform, opposition to centralized pow
er and rings in general.
The September number of the Plan
tition, published at Atlanta, GA, con-
tains circular the purport of
which the following extracts will
suffice to show. Tie entire article
would occupy too much space here
Their meaning is in no case changed
or varied, by separation from the con-
text. It is headed, Georgia State
Grange by authority of the State
Grange the following circular is is
sued" ''To merchants, manufacture
ers and whOmsoever 1t may concern"
They aim rot to antag-
onizc the rights of any class of our fell
| low citizens. Hitherto, how
ever, We have committed the man
agement of much of orr business to a
certain class OF our fellow men. For
this We deem the commission charged,
dispropOrtiOnatc to the service rem
der. Il. x We are before YOU
to-day to most respectfully ask you to
verify your assertions and share with
us the commission. Is Be as
sured we are no mendicants, at Your
door, pleading for eratuitous chart
ties, for were it the will of our Dicislc
Master, that we even die Of poverty,
we would still expect to die game.
K Should you deem it advisable,
thus to deal with us, address, (giving
the right to reject o'ty and every
This bid stands open to the world,
New York as well rs the rest.
| Inc IltIChtiI1I WHO HSTeeS Ut)1lt StIH
:. to transact business for the country on
the same scale, at half his customary
charges, tacitly admits that he has been
an ''extortioner and unjust" Any
combination of circumstances which
would force him iarotunt0riLy to
adopt such a course, for the purpose
of obtaining his daily bread, would, I
think, be regarded as "antagonizing
his rights"
1t is argued. truly, that if all the
| business of Il County or State Grange
was concentrated Oh one or two houses,
the aggregate profit on such n large
amount, even 1T a small rate of com
mission, would oo more profitable than
Il small business ut the present rates.
| Concentrate the business of whole
County or State Grange on few
favored houses, even at nominal
charge, and they speedily make large
fortunes, as the result of their mo-
| ne l,f ,hyt