Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-01-08
The PnifSns OF Husbandry.

tltiie have noticed editorials of yours
alluding fayorably to the Patrons Of Hus-
bandry. In this you have given atiothtr
evidence Of the interest you feel in tho
success Of the farmers of your section,
hthdreds Of whoih, to my certain knowl-
slge, are highly in favor of this institu.
ton. A number of them have already
become members Of it, and others will
soon follow: The "Ordet' Is gsining
ground vofy Rapidly in East Tennessee, as
well as thtoHghout the United States, a
fact which t5d Have learned through your
exchanges. Id 55ut own Country there
are several oranges, and there are several
in Green and Hawkins, It scents 10 ris
farmers, everywhere are b5iihd I'd ttcjg-
nizod the potency Of this organization aud
to become iicati6ad witt it. They can't
afford; While all othsr classes are organs
izing, to remain tout doors" their CO ms
it,th sense must teach them the utter
folly Of hot banding together for their
protection. Fbr too long period have
they been the victims Of rings and hearts
less combinations.
But it was my purpose, when cotti,
mcnced, to "write down few thoughts
concerning the hotitc and character of the
Patrons of Husbandry. Some suppose it
is a political institution, gotten up FOR the
purpose of breaking the back. bone of Re-
publicaniSm and Of building up the for
tunes Of the Democratic party, than which
nothing can be more basely false, In
fact it originated with the Yankees, and
members Of the Republican party, SO
that, if there is anything political about
it, its politics must partakc of Republi-
canism. But away with this false assump,
tien. Neither Democracy, on the one
hand, can claim it, nor Republicanism on
the other. 1t belongs exclusively to the
farmers, and is interd ID to advance their
agricultural Interests.
There are four cardinal principles upon
which it is based They are Education,
Soctul elevation and enjoyment, agricul>
hru' advancement, and financial Jene
.f!S. You will perceive that its chief cor
ner>stone is education, Upon this ques.
ton it takes no doubtful position. 1t re-
coguizcS the fact that the farmers must be
educated, and that knowledge is the foun-
dation of happiuoss-that more stock
must be taken in knowlcdgs==that the
car of science is the fastest aud safest con.
yoyance for them as we'll as for others.
and that there should be combination in
the intellectual as we'll as in the lndustri-
al phase of life,
The social feature is an admirable one,
and must commend itself to the favorable
consideration of every fair minded person.
The farmers do hot cultivate as they
should the social feeling, They isolate
themselves, aud have but little to do with
the social phases Of life; yet their calling
is one Of the most pleasant and cheerful of
all the occupations. 10 magnify this
featur,, the ladies are received into
the "Ordcr." Their presence is valua-
Bile and their influence refining.
But the Patrons of Husbandry propose
to do still rnofe--.to udcdact the cause Of
agriculture By adopting a more intelli>
gent and efficient system Of cultiUating
the soil. Hence, in the Oranges, agri-
culttral questions are discussed, expert
| onces and observations are detailed and
practical suggestions ihads.
The financial feature addresses itself to
the pockets of the farmers by enabling
them to trade directly with the wholesale
dealers and manufacturers. They are
taught how to shun the "s,pindte man"
who have stood in their way from time
immemorial, and who has put many doll
lar into his own purse that shsuld have
gone into theirs, Tne grangers can now
buy their agricultural implements, their
sowing machines, their cooking stoves, and
their sugar, coffee, salt, &c., Immediately
from wholesale departments.
In the meantime, too, thoy have it in
their power to sell their produce to the
grangers of the South, all of whom want
their corn. wheat, oats, bacon, lard, but
ter, &c, aud will pay the market price.
Excuse, gentlemen, this long communi>
cation. l would like to exaust the SUBJ
ject, but your space is valuable.
Q. ". CHARLTON.
Knoxville, Tenn. Dec 9th. 1873.