The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-02-09
AgritulturaV department.
CONDUCTED BY ALBERT CHAPMAN.
rERMANENCY or TuEGRANGEs.


before the grange movement was
heard OF. We were deeply impressed with
the importance of association and CO.
operation among farmers, We felt that
the tendency Of modern 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 ngriculturists should conform to the
spirit Of the times in this respect; and
that until they did so they would labor at
a disadvantage in the struggle Of lilo'
among the industries of the world.
So strong was this impression upon US
that We labored within the small circle
to which we were confined, to set one foot
some such organization. Our idea was
to make farmers clubs auxiliary to
county agricultural societies. and these to
the State agricultural society, and to have
them oil conducted upon a systematic
plan, so that they should not be oontin.
ually doing over and over again the same
work, but might work together intelligent
ly for common end, such as should
benefit the farmers Of the State in some
way proportionaio to the Efforts put forth.
Il was while working away at this
plan, and after having established news
paper to advocate it, that the Patrons
order made its appearance. Not being
IL l,tt m
assist in any plan that looked toward the
same result, our paper was the first to lay
the constitution of the Patrons before u
New England circle Of readers; and VIC
have the best reasons for believing that
this, aud our subsequent course in advo-
eating the principals 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.
gloriGcation. The movement has long
passed the stage in its existence where We,
or any other single individual, can be Of
much importance to it, But VIC say what
We have said. to show cur readers that
the principles of cooperation among farm.
crs is dear to our heart, and has long been
subject Of careful reflection 10 our
mind.
The Gr.t 60 operative farmers club
that we were instrumental in establishing
was apparently "A great success. During
the first winter Of its existence it did
more 10 unite the farmers Of the vicinity,
TO inspire them with a spirit Of energy
and progress, and to secure them pecuni-
airy advantages by cooperative purchases
thar, perhaps, any single grange that has
ever yet been instituted in Vermont,
But it likewise strrNd up vehement op-
position on the part Of those interests that
thought themselves endangered by united
action among farmers, and this opposition
was strong enough to destroy the club.
1t was prophesicd, by those in whose
minds the wish was father to the thought
that il would not live q year, and IT
didn't
The same prophecy is now freely put
forth in regard to the oranges. During
the last six months we have heard the
the prediction uttered at least hundred
give the order Just SIX months longer 10
burst up" in Vermont. We suppose that
many OF our readers have heard similar
vaccinations, aud not few of them.
But the predictions Of those who DO no;
like 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 to fail through bad
management, through lack of wisdom in
their councils and especially through the
intrigucs Of selfish men in, not outsidc of
the society. That farmers club which
We spoke of was killed exactly in that
way.
Therefore, now is the time to be care.
inl, Now Is the time to take heed to our
steps and Ego slow Now is the time to
watch those who are suspicously active.
suspiciously full Of new plans, suspicious.
~ DESTROYS Of ignoring the fundamental
principles o! tho order in ostensible earn.
estness after great results which they pro.
mise to the rank and file of the member.
ship.
Dat West, We already hear of failure
and dscre1lt from these causes. Coon.
era;iye stores are failing, agents who are
allowed to handle large sums of grange
funds are occasionally deiautng, the
srangr elevators. the grange mills, and
'ne grange manufacturing establishment
are not paying, and above all, grane
politics Is maxim, ~ very cfcdiiabla show
IL the character, Of some men it has sup
ported and elevated to oiice. Ihi. is not
mere vague and general talh-wc have
got the facts IN regard to all these points.
and could publish them if i, we're desir.
able to 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 improve.
inent and recreation and they can excr
clse a beneficial influence upon public af
fairs by uniting to secure good men, and
men who will not act against the agrieul-
tural 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 toward evil.
Most of the oranges are new, and have
really not yet learned fully the principles
or the true work of tho order. They
need 10 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 10 organization, but in feeling and
confidence, that plant of slow growth.
must have time to develop itself, 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 Pat.
rons are always to be confined to the