The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-07
..May7,1s74.
Patrons Of Husbandry.

handy We have no doubt all who have done
50 believe they are destined to do good for
themse yes and the country. We have our
opinion, however, about the order, and the
tendency OF such class organizations. 1t is,
lust at this time, when they are in the flood
tide of prosperity and sweeping over the coun-
try in huge volume I'm 'aralleled in the Msto-
~ of secret or any other kind of organizations,
unpopular, and probably injudicious, to say
ought against them. But, aswe have our opin-
ion about the Granger association, we intend to
express it, respectfully but plainly. Instead OF
a benefit, we think the result will show that
they will effect harm. They aim blow at
the very economy of the social organism, is the
first objection. They do not seem to consider
that comm unity is ma lie up of different class
es, engaged in diverse pursuits, and that each
and all are dependent upon each other-that
the interests of the constituent elements OF So
ciety are so ramified and interviewer with
each other, that you cannot disturb the vitality
one without affecting the other. The war up
on ssmiddle men, is illogical and revolutionary,
and is calculated to terminate and foster splr-
it Of hostility and animosity, which must de-
monstrate into organized conflict, destructive
OF the harm ony and well-being OF society. Ii
the farmers propose to live to themselVes-to
cut loose from every other branch Of industry,
in their business tran sactions, they must weak
en- if not destroy the bond of sympathy that
holds society together and erect wall OF par
tition that will forbid the generous intercourse
of friendship, and divide community into I'M
sympathetic, distinct and antagonizing ele-
ments. It was never designed, at least in this
age of enlightened civilization, that class should
war upon class. No people can prosper where
there is not community and homogenaity OF
interest, and where the mutual obligations OF
variant occupations are not recognized AID OBJ
served. Social discord will follow warning in
terests. and this will foment the worse passions
Of human nature until pandemonium itself
would be pleasant retreat from The broils OF
society.
Ii the 'smiddle men, are driven from their
occupations. and are compelled to resort to till
ing the ground, the result would be that the
slper-abundance Of products would reduce
0rtA
tailed, and the number Of non-producers or
consumers lessened. This is the dollars and
cents phase of it. A more serious aspect OF
this feature, is the declared and deliberate pilr-
pose of one class of persons to destroy the IN
terests Of another-to war upon their fellow
men. Without provocation, and drive them from
legitimate and immemorial enterprise. Inc
manifestation of such selfishness and proscrp-
ton would arouse resentment and meet with
tbe condemnation of enlightened intelligence
everywhere.
We see it stated that the costs OF Initiation
and membership for one year to be about sl5
for each patron. If this be true will 1t recon-
pense the great mass Of the Changers to ds-
pense with 'smiddle menu" There is not more
than one in ten, who purchases farm macnlhe-
nv for general use. The articles purchased may
he reduced in prices, but for whose benefit?
The nine small farmers are paying the differ
ence in the machinery purchased by the one
LARGE farmer. 1t is the old story Of making the
moor poorer. and the rich richer The contrl-
buttons Of few years will amount to the Gill
ference in the article purchased through mid
dle-men and when purchased direct from the
manufactures. There would then be really no
saving. at the same time, an industrious and
useful class of community, will have been pro-
scribed. and probably driven to want, or out OF
the State.
A very pertinent inquiry, what becomes OF
the aggregated SIS? 1t will be huge pile in
the course of time, and will be very apt to at
tract the attention of shrewd financiers. such
as Boss Tweed.
According to our understanding, the organi-
cation is conceived in spirit antagonistic to
the best interests of community. 1t strikes at
the social and industrial economy of the coun-
try. Ii draws the lines, bold, broad and severe
between the producer and consumer, and throws
down the wager of battle for war OF eztermi-
nation. It raises the black flag, and makes 1t a
necessity for the class assaled, to enter the con-
test for the preservation OF material life 1t is
a species of feudalism that will eventually re-
volt the popular mind, and spring into eSis-
tence embittered factions, growing out OF class
utilization, until the harmony and peace OF the
country will be shaken to their very founda-
tions. It was never intended in this free colln-
try that any one class should dominate and
control another. Even in the days OF the Nor
man Kings, the despotism of the Barons, COM
bined to enforce class privileges, shook the pill
lars of state and church, and had to be checked
by an appeal to arms. We want no mimic
baronies in this country. We ought to be, ii
we are not a homogeneous people, each class
working in its sphere, for the common good
We cannot be prosperous and at the same time
war upon each other.
The organization may become the nursery OF
few tom-tit politicians, whose aspiring gifts
have never been recognized by their fellow
men in open competition. Through the plas-
ter agencies Of fawning and trickery, they may
succeed in achieving an ephemeral distinction,
and be instrumental in inflicting upon the body
polite some very bad legislation. But such ex-
cess will soon correct itself, for the farmers
| themselves will not be long in discovering the
ears that protrude from the deceptious con-
| cealment.
| A business firm in this city, to which bill
! had been owing for some time, finally sent a
sharp dunning note to the debtor, and received
| in reply postal card containing the following
ssMatthew, 1926" 10 this they responded
s'Romans, 1873; st. Luke, 1858" The re-
suit was the prompt return Of a check in pay
ment of the acknowledgements Adueytaser