Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-11-27
The sovereigns of Industry.

on the plan of the Patrons of Husbandry,
which order has been in operation about
six years, with the most favorable
results to the agricultural clas-
scs, where it has been introduced
and 1t has extended TO nearly every county
in the United States. Tho number of grang-
es has reached nearly, or quite, 81 900, with
membership of grangers of over l,5OO 600.
Tho object of this organization is to secure
to the cultivators of the soil the fullest and
most just returns for their productions, by
procuring cheap transportation to the mar
kets, and preventing the monopolles and
intrigucs of spectators in agricultural prod
ucts; and TO improve the social, educational,
and moral condition of the rural districts.
The accomplishment of these objects be-
ing witnessed by those interested in other
industrial pursuits, suggested the organiza-
ton OF II secret order, on the same plan, for
the promotion OF the interests of all other
producing classes aud the order Of the Sow
ercigns OF Industry was accordingly organ
lied, with the following preamble to the
constitution of the National Council.
PREAMBLE. "rhe laborng classes include
the most numerous part of the people in civ
| ilizcd society. On their tolls and worth the
social welfare of society ultimately rests.
| Their redemption from wrong and suffering
is OF II corresponding Importance. But thus
lar IN history, their energies have been so
| absorbed, and their faculties 50 limited by
their material taSk-wUrk, and by their de-
prvation OF the best opportunities for spir-
| ltual and social culture, that they have been
very largely the passive servants of the So
| ,.iu lar l.Vis,,I E,V MI
| by the smaller but more thoroughly organ
lied portions of society, called the ruling
| classes.
1t is an UNREASONABLE truth that the rul-
| ing spirit III civilized society is the personal
and class pursuit of selfish interests. Ac-
| cOrdlngly, under the influence of this spirit,
| the aristocrltic classes have mOnopoliZed
privileges To themselves, and thereby fasten-
ed on tho working classes burdens which
are unjust aud unnecessary, and ought To be
| abolished. Therefore, knowing that in SO :
ciety, us well MS in nature, the organized
| forces and elements appropriate and control
| the lncOheront ones, that power is not only
| welded but also cngendercd by union and
| cooperative eXertion, we institute the order
| of the Sovereigns of Industry, for the pur-
| pose of overthrowing these evils, elevating
| the character, improving the condition, and
us far us possible periuctlng the happiness of
| the labOrlng classes of every calling, and
| thus doing our part towards the redemption
of the world. The order will ann to cult
waite in its members generous sSmpathles,
| soundncsS of thought, cOmprehensveness OF
policy, and u supreme respect for the rights
| of others, with an infleXible determination
to maintain their own, while for labor 1t
will seek to secure full aud free Opportuni-
ties.
BY all the wise and kindly measures il can
command, IL will present organized resist
tN LA 81 q
monopolies and other evils of the existing
| industrial and commercial system. 1t will
try to establish u better system of ccOno mi-
cal exchanges, and to promote, on u basis of
equity and liberty, mutual fellowship and
cooperative action among the producers
and consumers OF wealth throughout tho
earth.
We wage 10 war with persons or classes,
but only with wrongs, dlscords and hard
ships, which have existed too long. We
most earnestly deprecate hatred. jealousy, or
envy between classes. and call on all people
to be of one mind in the spirit of justice.
| We abhor every scheme OF arbitrary agrnri-
anism or violence, and shall use only such
Observation-Disclosures us are sanctioned by dem
onstraled principles of moral philosophy aud
social science, the universal interests of hui
manity, and philanthropy rising impartial
ly above all distinctions OF class, sex, creed,
race, or nationality.
In the prosecution of this work, wo be-
speak the support of kindred associations,
and cordially extend TO them the right hand
| of fellowship, especially To the Patrons of
lIusbandry, whose colossal growth and pow
er already command that consideration so
Justly due to tho great basic industry Of ag-
ricuIture."
VIM II. Earle, of this city, having been
elected President, the head quarters Of the
National Council was established here, and
the work of insttutng subordinate councils
commenced, which has been extended to
nearly every state and territory of this coun-
try. The numbers are rapidly increasing,
and the benefits arc fast being secured by
organization and union OF the interests of
industry and cooperation with other kind
red organizations.
The publication of n monthly Bulletin has
been commenced by the National Council,
from which We make the following condens-
cd extract from the statement Of Edward NJ
Graves, President of the Connecticut State
Council and one of the editors of tho New
Haven URtOn; Connecticut has 43 councils
of over 1000 members. Purchases of the
necessaries OF life are made by state agent
ut one per cent commission, from produc.
ers, manufacturers and importers, at the
lowest wholesale cash prices, and furnished
to tho members of the councils, through
their local agents, at the actual cost, fol
cash. By this arrangement large pei
centago is saved from the lowest retail pric-
es in the ordinary modes of trade. by
careful estimate from results already real
rcd, Mr.. Graves finds the lowest amount oil
annual saving for each member, with m
ordinary family, to be Sll0, or an aggregate
annual saving to the 1000 members of fou,
hundred and forty thousand dollars.
Similar results are reported from many
other states,-and like those above stated
any class Of producers or traders,-by avoid
ing the expense of handling and storing by
"middle men, and bringing the consumer
in the most direct contact with the produc
er; and by the systematic adoption of cdsl
payment. Where state and local agencies
have not been established, merchants in the
different classes of trade are arranged with
for liberal discounts for cash, to the mem
beers of the order. This basis is one of tn,
surest indications Of tho permanent success;
of this order, and promises the ultimat,
rescue of this country from those periodical
panics, which have become the blights o
the industrial and commercial interests
and terror of all classes of its inhabitants.
We take tho following extract from tn
London Herald aud Helpmate, the organ 0
the Mutual Help Association;