Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-02-13

remarks Oh q. Stuckey upon
the Occasion of a Joint
Oyster supper OfNIa-
SONS a. Changers.
FRIENDS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS -
We have assembled this evening in con-
nection with that order so well known
in our land and nation, designated
Free and Accepted Masons." An or
ganization of men than which none I'M
der the sun is its superior. 1t had its
origin in the days of King Solomon and
its pr inciples have been perpetuated
throu gh each succeeding generation
until the present day. But il IS not my
purpose to speak of the principles of
that ancient or der, nor pronounce an
eulogy upon it here tonight, but SIM
ply to express q heartfelt feeling in
meeting with some of its members at
this banquet upon this occasion to en-
Joy with them few hours oil cohvivial
intercourse, and exchange friendly
greeting, brother with brother, sister
with sister, to enlarge that friendship,
love and truth, principles the represen-
tatives of each organization here to-
night processes to practice, the cultiva-
ton of which great truths and practices
are highly Commensurate among men
and as we'll as one of the fundamental
injunctions of the Divine Lord and
Master.
1t was not my purpose to speak of
the Free Masons here to- might, only to
allude to it in the manner which | have
already done, but have come up here
to talk about an order of more recent
origin, known now by the name of the
Patrons of Husbandry. The order of
Free Masons represent here tonight
the mechanic arts. We represent the
great and powerful business ef tilling
the soil with all the branches of hus-
bandry combined.
We have met tonight to talk togeth-
er upon the object and purposes Of this
powerful organization of farmers which
recently spfang up in this land ami ma
ton. Yet to-day it has become fixed
rule among farmers to assemble togeth-
err, and plan their various transactions,
to reason together, and lmpart healthy
information each to the other in the
great business of tilling the soil and
raising bread for the millions. Almost
all other trades and callings among men
have resolved themselves into friendly
comb nations, and doubtless with de-
cided effect and highly beneficial re-
suits, which to all intents and purposes
is highly proper and laudable, but up to
the origin of the association of Farm
ers' Oranges" no combination was
known to exist among the tillers of the
soil
History does not record single in
stance in which the farmers have ever
taken any measures whatsoey er to BEN
fit their calling by combination and as
socia ton except the present.
The usefulness of the farmer to socie-
ty, and the position he holds among
men at no age of the world has ever
been questioced, nor has it ever been
denied that his is the most usef1, Our
Savior while here upon earth spoke his
parallels from and by the fruits of the
earth, which were nourished by the hus-
bandman; also many of his divine IL
Illustrations of Oh Instantly was made
with reference to the wheat and corn,
the vine and fig tree, all of which re-
ceived care and culture at the hands of
men engaged in the business of hus-
banding the fruits of the earth Wash
ington the great and immortal Father
our Country, has truly said That OF all
the callings and business among men,
that ofthe husbandman is the most use
Jul and honorable ard healthful.
1t has never been questioned that the
products the handiwork of the farm
er has given the first impulses to trade
and commerce. Tne millions of thurman
beings which have Inhabited this earth
from generation to generation have sub
sisted upon the wheat and corn OF the
earth. The tempestuous sea has been
whitened by many sails bearing the
corn, wheat and wine from one coun-
try to another all the handiwork OF the
tillers of the soil
But my brethren it cannot be denied
that all other callings and business
among men have their uses. Every
man who pursues fair and legitimate
means to obtain livelihood, all have
their uses and it is rot our purpose
here o-night to speak of them in way
disparagingly; neither do we wish to
aim the shafts of malevolence at them.
but, on the contrary, 30 accord to each
and all every need ofpraise and meas
ure of credit that is due them among the
callings of mankind.
As we have already stated, our OBJ
ject is to state the object and purposes
that the Patrons of Husbaudry ulti-
mately expect to accomplish, to define
the position desirable with them to hold
in society, and to endeavor to show up
upon this occasion the causes which re-
tards their progress in business, wheth-
err that be tn cir fault or the fault of 9TH