Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-09-11
The Patrons of Husbandry.

IT puzzles the Modcc and Pharisee Or
gans to know what the Changers are or
ganized for, if not for political purposes.
May we try to let light into their con-
fused intellects upon the subject, premis-
ing by saying that no organization COM
posed of men belonging to various par
ties ever did or ever will succeed that per
mits political discussions in its councils
The men forming the Patrons of Hus
bandry are those having community Of
interest on the subject of agriculture
They are all interested in obtaining better
prices for their products, cheaper trans
portation for what they raise, and gen
orally in the moral, social and intellectual
elevation Of the class to which they be-
long. The members may be Democrats,
Republicans, or ''sore- heads" The
Patron may be Methodist Baptist, Pres
byterian, Catholic, Jew, Gentle or Pagan
In the cause of agriculture he is in accord
with all his fellow-members, and can
work tremendously and well. But sup
pose religion is introduced. The question
of baptism comes up for discussion. The
result is at once divided membership
and weakened and distracted order. Or
suppose that politics are introduced. Dis
place of concord, and disruption follows.
On one point of politics the Patrons of
Husbandry are agreed. They all favor the
election of honest men, and men who are
in sympathy with the cause they have at
heart. From the lodge of the order to the
polls is but step, and there
the member can vote for his prin-
ciples as represented in his chosen
candidate and advance his cause at the
same time. In the hall the Catholic may
say: 81 cannot vote for Mr. A, although
know him to be the friend of the farmers
He believes in religious ostracism, and
favOrs the election of none but Protestants
to office; but | will vote for B, who is
equally the friend of our cause and who
is more liberal in his religious tenets."
Or the Republican may say: IL cannot
vote for G. He believes in the dangerous
heresy Of State Sovereignty; he has been
all his life the foe of the North and the
apologist of slavery He has dangerous
ideas on the subject of revenue reform
and the currency, and although he is a
farmer, and of course on the question that
now agitates us would be sure to vote
right, prefer TO cast my ballot for ID, who
agrees with me in everything, and is at
the same time equally the friend of the
G. vote for him, and we will be sure to
have man in our interests, whichever
way the election turns"
Suppose the Oranges nominate candi-
dates of their own The very struggle
over the nominations has the effect of
cstranging the members. Incorporate
discussions regarding the fitness Of the
candidates bring wrangling into the order
where harmony had before prevailed, and,
once precipitated upon the organization
political disputes, like a horse full high
of breeding, madly are let loose, and fra
ternal feeling gives way to pickering and
strife.
The constitution of the order of the
Patrons OF Husbandry is wisely drawn
1t does not, as falsely assumed by morn
ing contemporary, forbid members from
engaging in politics. Not at ALL 1t only
torblds the introduction Of political and
religious discussions in the work of the
order, leaving the members perfectly free
to pursue their political course outside as
before There are plenty of questions to
occupy The members without going into
politics or religion-the subject of educa-
ton, the hundreds of questions pertaining
TO agriculture, the improvements in farm
ing utensils, the subject of sowing and
iS"fiiiSr anu S1iiIl dIl1 tIt lHulJltuuluOuS
questions pertaining to their business.
1T would be as sensible for the Chicago
Board of Trade, or the Typographical
Union, or the Association of Pork Pack
ers, or House Carpenters, to lug political
discussions into their gatherings as for
the farmers to do it, The Patrons of Hus,
bandry are organized as cooperative So
clety, like the various others throughout
the country, and nothing would so quick
ly bring them to naught as the introduc-
ton of this most distracting of all ele-
mentS.
We again repeat that in the opinion of
the true friends of the farmer itais better
Tor them TO attend to the business of their
order IN the order, and vote their politics
at the polls. This is the safe course, the
harmonious course, the course that will
bring success To their efforts, not only in
social improvement, but in obtaining from
the party that may be in power-Republi
can or Democratic-reasonable protection
by law against all the well-founded evils
Of which they complain.-Chicogo Inter
ocean.