The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-02-28
lFor the Dispatch.]
The Khis and tho Patrons.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Patrons
have emphatically prohibited in the organic
law of the order even the discussion OF po-
litical subjects, and have time and again de-
MED in the most authoritative manner any
connection with partisan politics. the Rlch-
mond Wing persists in the untenabie asser-
ton that the order of the Patrons Of Hns-
bandry Is secret political organization. We,
who know what we are talking about, assert
most positively that we are not political
party. TIE Wing, which does not know
what it is talking about, asserts in an equally
posi,iye manner that we are. Now, L cha'-
eDge the Wing to produce solitary instance
where the order in the United States has
given its official sanction to any political
party in the country, existing or prospective.
60 farther, and challenge The Wing to pro-
duce from the million of Patrons in the
United States one solitary man who, III the
character of Patron, has said one word or
performed one act Incompatible with his
professions OF neutrality in partisan politics:
In the face of cur lrequentiy.puhliShed
constitutional prohibition, of our declaration
of principles, Of the addresses OF our rcsu-
larly constituted officials, the Wing cohlin-
ues to hold up before the public OF Virginia
the Patrons of Husbandry as secret potl-
cal party. With just as much proprlety The
Patron might charge that there are men IN
Virginia who would not hesitate 10 sacrince
the dearest interests Of this noble ola COM
monwealth to advance the SELFISH schemes
of u mad ambition; that these men fear the
power of the oranges to defeat their heart.
less efforts at selC-aggrandizemeni, and "ouid
not hesitate at any act Of maleyolence cllcu-
| lated to bring the order into disrepute; that
they have subsidized mouthpicces. whose
hostility to the Patrons is dictated in the Sc
cret conclaves Of few men who manipu-
late primary political meetings and who boast
that they carry tie Legislature oil the State
in their brecches' pockets.
Again, If l am not mistaken, the Whig
stigma,izes the order as "dirty little
oranges" and would convey the idea that
| the members are obscure, illiterate, DC.
There are now forty.two oranges in Virgins,
twenty-four of them having teen organized
since the 1st of January. do not believe
tha; hazard an! thpg in sayin5 that these
lorty-two oranges represent fully Sl0,C00,00(
of the landed property of this State. There
is every indication that before the close Of
the year there will be at least three hundred
oranges. Yet, the Wing does not hesitate tc
cllss these Yirginians among agrariars, com
muuists, and socialists. But the Wing goes
farther, and does what score OF years age
would have shocked q Virginia gentleman
II grossly insults the women OF our order
by comparing them TO "Cousin Sally Dii
lards." Surely, Whom the gods would de-
stroy they first make mad" The womer
who have entered the oranges in FirgiDi
OCCUPY influential social positions, and art
regal ded by the people among whom the!
live as the exponeuls OF all that IS pure
and true In the sex. Besides. they
a.e accompanied by their husbands ant
fathers, and these husbands and fathers ar
yirginians-" native and TO tue nianne
bolr." These ladies, guarded by those wis
watch with JEALOUS eye their honor ant
good name, have found nothing that WoulE
induce the blush Of shame to the brow Of
vestal virgin. Yet these women, thus guarded
By their lawful protectors, are to be held ul
TO the scorn and ridicule OF society as shame
, less Amazons, who would "histe up thei
petticoats and wade in"
The Fhi1 is opposed to the oranges. l
has perfect right to be. The Patrons d.
not court its favor nor fear its opposition
but it is respectfully submitted that the goo
name and fame Of our women Is not legiti
mate theme for public discussion.
: | On ANGER