Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-13
Permanently Of the Oranges.

we were deeply impressed with the impor-
lance of association and cooperation among
farmers. We felt that the tendency Of mod
ern society toward associated action, which
was becoming more and more developed
under the form Of corporate enterprises,
mercantile and manufacturing associations,
boards Of trade, trade unions, professional
and literary societies, made it imperative
that the agriculturists should conform to the
spirit Of the times in this respect and that
until they did so they would labor at a dis
advantage in the struggle for life" among
the industries of the world.
So strong was this impression upon us
that we lahored, within the small circle to
which we were confined TO set on foot some
such organization. Our idea was to make
farmers clubs auxiliary to county agricul-
tural societies, and these to the state agricu-
tural society, and to have them all conducted
upon a systematic plan, so that they should
not be continually doing over and over again
the same work, but might work together in
diligently for a common end, such as should
benefit the farmers Of the state in some way
proportionatc to the efforts put forth.
1t was while working away at this plan.
and after having established a newspaper to
advocate it, that the Patrons order made its
appearance. Not being welded to our own
ideas, but willing to assist in any plan that
looked toward the same result our pa
per was the first to lay the constitution Of
the Patrons before New England circle of
readers and we have the best reasons for
believing that this, and our subsequent course
in advocating the principles Of the order,
were chiefly instrumental in making Vermont
The banner state Of the movement in the
East.
We do not make this statement for self
glorifcation. hemovement has long passed
the stage in its existence where we, or any
other single individual can be of much i'm
portance TO it. But we say what we have
said, to show our readers that the principles
Of cooperation among farmers is dear to our
heart, aud has long been subject of careful
reflection TO our mind.
The first cooperative farmers club that
we We're instrumental ia establishing was
apparently great success. During the first
winter of its existence it did more to unite
the farmers of the vicinity, to inspire them
with a spirit of energy and progress, and to
secure them pecumiary advantages by COZ
operative purchase, than, perhaps, any SIN
gle grange that has ever yet been instituted
in Vermont But it likewise stirred up a
vehement opposition on the part Of those in-
terests that thought themselves endangered
10y united action among farmers, and this OPP
position was strong enough 10 destroy the
club. 1t was piophesied, by those in whose
minds the wish was father to the thought,
that it would not live a year, and it didn't
The same prophecy is now freely put forth
in regard to the oranges During the last
six month, We have heard the prediction mt
tered al least a hundred times. Very re-
Gently we heard an able and intelligent pub
lie man say he would give the order just six
months longer to burst up" in Vermont
We suppose that many Of our readers have
heard similar Vaccinations, and not a few
Of them.
But the predictions Of those who do not
ike the order, are not going to destroy it,
Intelligent men, such as the one We refer TO-,
do not expect that But they expect the
oranges 70 fail through bad management,
through lacl, of wisdom in their councils and
especially through the intrigues Of selfish
men ia, not outside of the society. That
farmers club which We spoke of was killed
exactly ia that way.
Therefore now IS the time 10 be careful.
Now is the time TO take heed 10 our steps
and go slow" Now is the time 70 watch
those whoare suspiciously active suspiciously
full Of new plans, suspiciousy DESTROYS of ig-
noring the fundamental principles OF the or
der in ostensible earnestness after great re-
suits which they promise to the rank and file
of the membership.
Out West we already hear Of failure aud
dscredit from these causes. Cooperative
stores are failing, agents who are allowed 10
handle large sums of grange funds are occa-
sionally defaulting, the grange elevators, the
grange mills, and the grange manufacturing
establishments are not paying, and above all,
grange politics is making no very creditable
show in the characters Of some men it has
supported and elevated TO office This is
not mere vague and general talk-we have
got the facts in regard to all these points,
and could publish them il it were desirable
10 do so. But We mention them only as
warnings.
Three things the oranges Of Vermont can
do without any fear of failure. They can
make cooperative purchases for cash they
can assemble for mutual improvement and
recreation and they can exercise a benef-
cial influence upon public affairs by uniting
TO secure good men, and men who viii not
act against the agricultural interest, for
office. We are almost inclined TO say that,
for the present Whatsoever is more than
these cometh of evil, or at least tends to-
ward evil
Most Of the oranges are new, and have
really not yet learned fully the principles
or the true work of the order. They need to
be taught these first and in order TO learn
them, the members ought not TO have their
minds distracted with novel plans, or with
questionable schemes. The order needs first
to be consolidated, not only in organization,
but in feeling; and confidence, that plant Of
slow growth, must have time TO develop it
self, and to become familiar with the truly
honest and unselfsh men within the society
whom it will do to trust as leaders.
We do not mean to say that the Patrons
are always to be confined to the three forms
of activity indicated aboye,-far from it.
We believe they have much other work to
do. But it is work that cannot be done in a
hurry, or before the organization is more
thoroughly consolidated. Those who are not
friendly to it are watching and hoping for it
to make fatal miss-step and it is possible
that some rihm The order are acting in con-
cert with them. Such thing is certainly
possible. The hostility TO the OF Ter is very
sharp, not only among the trading class
(who, as yet, misapprehend the purposes and
probable results of the organization, taking
it to be unfriendly and injurious to them,
which it will not be in the long run), and
the politicians by trade, who are right in
thinking the order inimical to all their plans