Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-05-10
PATRONS OF HusBASpRY,
CHESTER. S. c.. May i. !

ticed In several of the late issues Of |
your paper, articles urging operation
among farmers, one especially claimed
my attention. Itappeared in the issue
of April 10Th, in reference to the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry, and being
member of that Order, and having re-
ceiyed some of the benefits of co-ope-
ration through it, I naturally feel de-
sire to see and know that others should
be benefited likewise, especially those
of my native State, and that they may
participate in the great good it is des-
tined to work for the farmers Of the
land. have therefore concluded to
try and give few ideas as to the aims,
objects, &c. of the Order, and some of
the many benefits expected to arise
from and through its influence. | will
first give what all good patrons deem
good and sufficient answer to the only
objection ever raised to the Order, that
is its secrecy. Now, when we remem-
Der that it has ever been the case that
all agricultural clubs, societies, &C.,
could never be held together, and that
after one or two meetings they gene
rally fall through, and all interest is
lost by those who compose them, we
naturally inquire why it is so. The
answer is plain that, whatever is every
body's business, soon becomes nobody's,
and that whenever the ends and aims
of any society are made public, it soon
runs its course and fails entirely. Be-
sides, there are other good reasons for
secrecy. We are contending, every
man for himself, against the world of
other occupations, all of whom have
their organizations for mutual benefit
and protection, such as the Boards of
Trade, Chambers of Commerce, Trade
Unions, &C., and all composed exclu-
sively of those in whose interest they
are gotten up. We farmers do not
know anything of their workings, or
what objects they have in view, but we
do know that to us they look for the
food they eat and clothes they wear,
and by handling our produce expect to
gain living and amass fortunes. So
in order to meet them fairly, we must
fight with their own weapons, and not
let them know what we are doing, OF
what means we use in order to keep
even with them in fighting life's bat
ties.
Moreover, our wives, daughters and
sisters are admitted to membership
which of itself is a guarantee thai
nothing wrong or impure exists. Or
the contrary the teachings of its Ritual
are of the highest moral and religious
character, and well calculated to ele
vate the hearts and minds of its mem
bers, making better men and womer
of them; and moreover by meeting to-
gether in the Grange and exchanging
ideas and views, much can be done to
wards improvement in culture of crops
&C., that would otherwise be lost t.
the community.
Then another advantage it gives, il
that each Grange is in direct commu
nication with all the other Grange
= throughout the United States b,
monthly reports made through the Ma
tional Grange at Washington City, ant
when the farmers of your section COM
to know the extent of country ant
numbers now embraced in the work
ings of the Order, they can not but b.
surprised. / will merely mention on
or two States to give some idea of it
extent and influence. The State 0
/, Iowa has about eight hundred Grange
now in working order. This Stat
(South Carolina), where there wa
scarcely one year ago, has near on
hundred and fifty, with State Grang
in working order. Mississippi ha
over one hundred, and they are organ
izing rapidly now in Georgia. All tn
northwestern States and Territories ar,
taking hold with a will, and l am sur
prised that the farmers of Tennessee
and especially of Montgomery county
my old home, whom / know to be a
far-seeing and intelligent as those o
any other section, should be so far be
hind in this good work, which prom
Uses so much for their good, and tina
other sections are even now realizing
The Patrons of Husbandry propos'
2 to band the farmers together, and built
up that unity of action and purpos
that will make their power felt by tn
9 monied rings and monopolies who ar
threatening the very existence of wha
little there is left of liberty and Re
publican Government to our country
For any information in regard t.
perfecting organization of Oranges
write to ID. H. Kelly, Secretary of tn
National Grange, Washington, ID. c.
Having said enough to give gene
raj idea of the Order and its workings
S l remain,
1 Yours truly,