Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-07-04
For the Sentinel.

communication relative to the meeting OF the
"Montgomery County Agricultural Society,""
and although regretting keenly my inability
to be present, permit me to express the pleas
ure 1t affords me to see your section leading
off in these gatherings Of farmers meeting, as
they do, TO counsel together on matters touch
ing the interest and welfare of the farmers. 1t
is move in the right direction and will be
productive of good. Let me offer few rea-
sons why the farmers should organize.
1 lst. In the multitude of counsellors there is
safety--in numbers there is strength-there-
fore the greater the number we can enlist in
this work of cooperation, the greater will be
the efficiency in the effort to bring relief to the
farming class-the least protected and assisted
and most imposed on of any class, and all for
lack Of that cohesion which exists among all
other professions and vocations.
I'd. From the combined intelligence, energy
and effort of the multitude, great results both
in our own State and all the States, may be
expected. See, for example, what has been
achieved by association Of capitalists who have
invested their money in navigation, commerce,
fisheries, railroads, manufactures, gas compa-
MES, mining companies, and the thousand
channels of enterprise through which capital
seeks accumulation. Witness the compactness
of organization, and the SKILL energy and
Judgment displayed in the promotion Of their
interests. See the success which they have
achieved by lobby representatives, memorials,
petitions, and by all means, fair and unfair,
legitimate and illegitimate, in manipulating
| legislative bodies, State and National in secu-
ring aid and protection for their various en-
terprises and interests. Again, various COM
binatons of capital readily band together like
clansmen needing the whistle of their chief,
they assemble on call, and exert the full nflu-
ence of capital and brains in the representa-
tives of the people, while the great mass, the
constituent masses, the farmers of the broad
land, the producers of food, and of the raw ma
teral which manufacturers and mechanics
work into useful and profitable forms, fail to
exert their permanent and legitimate power
and influence. Why is this How is it to be
explained Certainly no lack of intelligence
in class so preponderating in numbers-no
lack of means in such an immense aggregate
of wealth, but all for lack of systematic and
extensive organization-an organization CO.
extensive with the boundary of our country.
| We must organize-organize thoroughly
and efficiently. What has thus far prevented
this cooperation among this large and respec-
table class ? ! would suggestas the chief rea-
son or obstacle, the general apathy of farmers
/ ,n1oe II tI,o;,
ton in locality. The quietude of their voca-
ton and the nature of their pursuits do not
favor prompt and frequent assemblages for
consultation and discussion touching their in
terests, or setting forth their claims on State
and Government notice and favor for protest
ing against neglect or oppressive exactions; for
demanding their rights from their representa-
tves, and for the improvement of the prevail
ing system of culture and farm economy. But
am gratfed with late indications in counties
and States that change has come over the
spirit Of their dreams. The apathy, l trust,
will soon be shaken off, and with loud acclaim
the voice of the nation will proclaim the true
social position and paramount Importance of
agriculture as the great, broad basis of ma
tional prosperity, comfort, virtue, and couser-
yatsm for farmers are conservative and law
abiding and have stronger reasons aud induce
mcnts for wishing to see the country in state
of peace and quiet, and to see the Government
!, wisely, honestly and economically administer
ed, than any other class. The necessity for
organization is becoming daily more apparent
to farmers, since all great enterprises at the
present day are carried by rings; and if legis-
lative action is to be controlled by such agen-
cies in this country, the farming interest must
be alive or be enslaved, or like broken hacks,
suffer themselves to be hitched in the traces
: and driven at will by any half-hedged willing
who has purpose to accomplish. Let this be
stopped. Let the farmer respect himself and
think for himself, and others will respect him.
Ofall the plans yet suggested, none appears
so wisely framed or promises greater fruits Of
success than the Order known as the Patrons
of Husbandry. An organization devoted en-
tirely to the interests of those engaged in rural
pursuits. 1t is secret organization. have
taken great pains to investigate this Order, its
origin, objects and purposes, and would not
now recommend its adoption by the farmers OF
Montgomery if | were not fully satisfied that
it has for its object, not only the general i'm
provement in husbandry, but to increase the
general happiness, wealth and prosperity Of
the country. 1t is founded upon the axioms
that the products of the soil comprise the basis
of all wealth-that individual happiness de-
ponds upon general prosperity-that while the
strength of a nation may be measured by its
numbers, its prosperity must be measured by
the individual prosperity of its citizens, and
that the wealth of a country depends upon the
general intelligence and mental culture of the
producing classes. The secrecy of the ritual
and proceedings of the Order have been adopt
ed chiefly for the purpose of accomplishing de-
sired efficiency, extension and unity, and TO
secure among its members, in the internal
working of the Order, confidence: harmony
and security.
The Order will accomplish a thorough, sys-
tematic and homogeneous organization among
farmers and horticulturists throughout the
United States, and will secure among them in
innate social relations and acquaintance with
each other, for the advancement and elevation
of their pursuits, soith an appreciation and pro
lection Of their true Interests By such means
may be accomplished that which exists thro'-
out the country in all other vocations and
amono all othar ciaeree b;,,oJ %,