Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-01-09
PATRONS AND THE FARMERS
MOVEMENT.
FARMER,
. st, Johnsbury, Vt.

luSSS lNO HONtiblcs III OuT nOCldl uHu pO-
litical life are as yet not we'll understood,
even by the press, in this part Of the coun-
try, and in most minds they are COMPOUNDED
together. But, in point of fact, they are en-
tirely distinct in their origin and objects,
As we have made both subject Of interest
ed study from their beginnings, we shall en-
deavor to state the main points of difference
so that they may be easily understood.
The Patrons have the priority in date. They
we're first started in Minnesota, some six
years ago, 1--WE have not the exact date at
hand,) and the original grange is still in act
i've existence, having never missed meeting
since its institution. The design of this or
der was to give the farmers clubs irmer
basis, and permanoncy that voluntary asso-
Citations of the kind have not been found
capable, as a rule, of maintaining also to
organize the separate clubs, or oranges"
into state societies, under national central
organization, by means of which their united
force could be utilized to accomplish useful
ends. 1t was made secret society, because
as a business organization it was believed to
be necessary that it should be so, and expert
ence seems to have justified the founders in
this opinion The usual objections to secret
societies have little weight in regard to this
one, which is not exclusive in its member
ship, but embraces the farmer, his wife, and
children of suitable age, and refuses no re-
spectacle person interested in agricultural
pursuits. One must be fanatic indeed, or
insanely fearful of phantoms, to scent danger
from such modified secrecy as this.
For several years the order made little
progress, but in 1870 it was introduced into
Iowa, and Immediately began to spread. At
the beginning Of 1871 there were already 6S
oranges organized, and before the year was
out they were numbered by hundreds. Now
there are upwards of 1900 in the state.
An effort to introduce the order into Hi
nois about the same time was only partially
successful, but the impulse of the Iowa
movement soon began to be felt there, and
the Patrons of Illinois are now a large and
well organized body, although the Farmers
Movement, which has its greatest strength in
that state, affordlng another means of organ
ization, prevents the rapid growth Of Iowa.
In Minnesota and Wisconsin the order has
made more moderate progress, but it is
very strong in both states, and growing more
rapidly than ever at the present time. Mis-
souri, had but few oranges prior to 1873,
but during the past year the growth in that
state has rivaled that in Iowa, and we believe
Missouri now ranks second in number Of
oranges, and in the hold the order has upon
popular feeling
In Kansas also, and in Nebraska, the Or
der has a great aud rapidly growing power.
In Ohio it has not spread as fast, but it has
upwards of 10000 members in that state.
In the South, South Carolina and Missis-
sippi have taken the lead, and the order
grows nearly as fast there as in the North
west.
Outside of Vermont, the Patrons have got
no footing in the Eastern States until the
past year. Now, in New Hampshire, Mas
saehusetts New York and Pennsylvania they
have made good start, and organized state
oranges Connecticut and Rhode Island as
yet do not seem to have become interested,
and only two oranges are reported in Maine.
The VERMONT FARMER will have to bear
the blame of having somewhat Intentionally,
but as yet without conjunction, set the Pat
rons' ball in motion among the Green Noun
tains. About the time the fire began to
blaze up on the Iowa prairies we published
the constitution of the order, having before
urged upon our readers the necessity of some
form Of organization and cooperation. But
one other person in the state, besides ourself
had at that time informed himself at all in
the matter. That was our worthy friend
Jonathan Lawrence, of Passumpsic, and be-
tween him and the FARMER must lie the re-
spOnsibility of stimulating the institution oil
Green Mountain Grange, No. l, of St. Johns.
bury, the pioneer grange of New England
The Patrons are distinctively a cooperative
and social institution. They not only are
not political but politics is distinctly ex
cluded from any place in the order by it,
constitution. At the time the Patrons be-
gan, the idea of political movement among
the farmers was unthought Of. From tina
day to this no action has been taken looking
towards any political action by the order
and it is safe to say there never will be- 1t
members may or may not sympathize will
the Farmers Movement, but whether the
do or not they can never even discuss it, o
any other political matter in tho grange
All political movements are ephemeral, they
originate, are carried on, fail or succeed, an'
give place to others, but the oranges by thei
constitution are placed above all this. The.
are permanent in their aims, social and eco
nomieal in their purposes, and concerned
only that agriculture shall be made pro6tab
and honorable to all that worthily and in
diligently engage in its pursuit.
The Farmers Movement, on tho contrary
was distinctly, in its very inception, polit