The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-09-11

EDrroRs CLARION:

EDITORS CLARION:
E The action of the State Grange upon tn
refusal of Shryock & Roland to sell to tn
,, Oranges is condemned as aggressfve b.
L Agricola." in the Aberdeen Examiner
upon which, as if fact, he reads the orde
a long homily, as to what they should o
should not do. When, if he had fully under
stood the facts and given them their proper
bearing, he would have discovered that tht
action of the order instead of being aggres-
sive was simply defensive, and that the ag-
erosion was wholly on the part of 5. & r.
The mere refusal to trade with the
Oranges was their right, which no one will
call in question; but the object and reasons
for that refusal is aggression, not only sim
| pie, but insulting aggression. The Oranges
asked of them no special favors, but only
| that they might make their purchases for
CASH on the same terms they sold to mer-
chants and others; the rely was: we do
not want your trade, as we sell 20 merchants
| in your neighborhood, and selling TO you
would interfere with their business custom =
which was virtually saying, you belong to
the merchants; are their pigeons to be
plucked by them, and by our act you shall
not emancipate yourselves. To the contrary,
will be true to orr RING and do our part
in holding you in this servile position, by
which you shall be compelled TO pay these
middlemen Is to 80 per cent. over cost.
without an equivalent, for what you pur-
chase; you not our equals to enjoy the
right OF depending the fruits of your labor a.
you choose, but only as we see tit to permit
Now take this view of the subject which
will be the naked fact, when the secrets OF
these com oindtions are exposed, and then
say who is the aggressor. Shall the Grange
quietly submit and make no defense against
such insOIent assumption of domination over
the agricultural class, whose elevation and
advancement is its special mission? How
then is it to accomplish the objects of the or
ganiZation unles it meets such combinations
against the interests and rights of its men,
beers, by active and positive defense, which
this act of retaliation was intended to be
and is 1t invaded the rights of no one, but
simply exercised their own, in withholding |
their custom from those are denying their |
equality with other classes. And as Messrs |
). x K. consideredit OF so little consequence /
as to decline iL when offered them direct |
why is this refusal Oh the part OF the |
Oranges to indirectly trade with them be-
come so aggressive?
With aggression charged in the part of |
the Oranges AS his text, AgricCla asks
What good result can be expected from or
ganiZarions that cause a spirit of hostility !
60 spring up between classes OF business
men whom the very fitness of things should
make dependent on each other?' In an
other place he states and asks, They Is. &
Z have been forced to assume the cham
pionship of the merchants. Is it reasonable
to suppose that the merchants will aban-
Ion them ?" In these extracts is exhibited
the existence of hostility and combination
with champion to carry it on.
Now, the question arises, does this eXer-
Else of undeniable rights by the Oranges
directly for their interests or in defence of
hem, by refusing second hand trade with
). Il II. when they first refused direct one.
Justly cause this spirit of hostility to come
)etN cen them and others, is their depend
ence on others 80 great that they should
DOW in thankful submission in whatever
position is assigned them. and surrender 10
others without murmur the lions share of
he profits of this mutual dependence bust
less? If not, the offense does not come from
hem, but from the organization of mer-
chants who are ctdmpt0ned by Messrs. ). &
Z. and sustained by the merchants in max
ng the attempt to impose degrading po-
ition of inequality on the tillers of the soil
lnder this one-sided arrangement of mu-
ual dependence.
When il is considered that from the ayri-
cultural class all others draw their support.
nd on whose success they are so greatly
dependent, this attempt to degrade them |
nto mere servants for Others should meet I:
With that condemnation AgricOla attempts . /.
o Tx or the Oranges, which but fulfilled |
he purpose of the organization by remov-
ng such obstacles as stood in the path of
dvancement of their interests and their !
nll enjoyment of the privileges and immu-
titles accorded to the more favored class
Whilst they Go not intend aggression on any,
hey will defend themselves by just and !
awful means only respecting the rights of .
u, they mean to enforce their o.Cn.
The charge of aggression being the text 7
pom which AgricOla bases his whole ar
lcle, has alone been noticed. If that charge !
as been successfully met, his other posi-
ions fall with it. But whenever he will 1
axe down his false colors Agricola, lex |
use the mistake. if it is such,) and make !
is assaults under true ones, the writer is .
Tilling TO discuss any of the positions he
as taken. or NAV take hereafter, in regard y
} the organization whose name heads this !
rticle. ri. o. DIXON.
KINDS COUNTY, Miss. August. 1873. ,