The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-28
Patrons eg zEsssaaassry.

We have seen 4 essc:i.ar issued by the author
isy Of the Ceaaty Grdage, signed by the agent
and atsested BY tllesoaiof theGfaisge and the
Signature Of Tie Secretary marked seontide1-'
tia.o OF c5irse. il did not come to us in'coal-
ltence, and there is. therefore, no restriction
upon our saying lust what we please ah2At e.
Tais circular is sent to marchants-tealer5 III
groceries, &C., dry goods, hardware, and every
other branch of trade, we pfeslme--tc ascer-
! tain the lowest figure at which may be plir-
chased the articles in which the merchant deals,
blythe. Grange. composed Of about G92 mem
bars. The parties to Whom the circular is
sent, are not confined to Stanton or Augusta
i.oounty. 1t is sent to aealers in tae cities,
where, OF course, they can afford to sell for a
saali amount less chan our merchants can, es-
pecially when supplyingill the bllk some .oo3
or go fEnies. We doubt whethart this can be
done withotit-a license. II TIE p-llcifses are
made III the cities aud saat here III the bulk
and distributed it seems tous it viii require a
license, But this isnot tire point we are after.
Here is a combination, the effect OF which VIII
be toiniira very seriously tic trade OF etasl-
4 ton, which is the market for the farmers OF the
i county, for almost everything they produce
finds re edy sale for cash or goods, just as they
may elect The prosperity OF stanton is due,
in a great measure, to the energy, activity and
4 business capacity Of our merchants. Il
Staunton is damaged, then t will reflect back
upoa the farmers, leg much of the prosperity
OF our farmers is dlze 70 She facility of dsposn2
4 OF their. products in SfanllSon. This market
made BY the enterprise Of or merchants, COM
Il mands trade from distant parts Of this and adj
Joining counties. We have, known flour ane
bacon to be sent here from below Halrisonburg
passing right through tileconnty town, becaus,
Of the liberal prices paid here ana the ready
sale. by reason Of the competition. that exists
: Destroy this competition by driving out OF bus
mess, as has been Threatened, a portion Of th5
merchants, and who viii be the sufferers laors
= than the producers tllamsalyes3 esas6
! The most serious phase OF this combination
is that it will necesstate coulter eombin ltions
Il the farmers combine Tor what 5hey call til 8;
protection, it viii ealge the laborers tc eoall,in.
/ for their protection, aa4 the merchants ans
mechanics to- combine for tileir protectios1s j
will be community Of class combinations waf
ring against each other, the result of whic
must necessarily be TO damage each and all
! The Interests OF society cannot be promotes
: in this manner. There is 10 one pursuit tina
: is not intimately connected, either directly o
: indirectly with every other. This is a natara
law of'thc social economy, and it cannot b
: violated without provoking the penalty attach
. ed Strike down any one branch OF enterprise
= and you will affect the whole fabric OF sbusines
: ;ad Industrial ofaailisn. Che farmers canalQ
live t0and in taeglst YES. 10 more than any ote
:, / branch OF industry. they arc as much DEEPER
. dent as other pursuits They all work toget
: er for the good each Ss5lfer aatlit is fats
y blow at.the best interests Of community whef
: M,y. one class combines ira spirit OF seltis
es:ells5eaess to make i2f1irect war upon an
other class or branch ofset}teifr;se. We as
Il er they think they can combine as a elias
without compelling other conlbiuations, an
whether they are rot as dependent upon tt
?, aborer who drives the plow. or The n!e.ci.a.
who bays the products OF the farm, as these III
/. upon the landowners .5fA4i II y
The Grange organization ailtagonizes one {
the fundamental principles OF the social ccont
+ illy rcyerses the laws that hold community f
/ geie. and cannot but work All active and re
II roactiTe harm fstE .a5i s9 ss92
p We have no personal object TO gain iii ii
!; views We here express. They may do us
i present injury, for combinations Of this Kin
= are always int9ieiaiit and proscgiptiNe, BUT b
) ieNing that tilae, and q very short time, Wi
;, yindicate the Miseloil OF our course, we sha
patiently abide tiae result, conscious, at leas
that we are aiming at the good o. every branc
of industry and satespGisa tat makes up COZ
| luilnity. tss5