The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-23
WHOLE NO. l24.

O0uO1vs OOuA L. OOu0S CSQ.s WHICH,
referred to the British system Of co>ope-
ton among the producers of textile
fabrics, and the possibility of applying
the same system, here in the United States
to the producers of food and thus estab-
llsh between the two populations q pro-
Iscess OF interchange that would give them
cheap food for cheap manufactures, and
thus get clear OF the thousands Of mid>
dlemen along our seaboard who enrich
themselves off the transfer.
The subject is vast Que, and vastly i'm
portant: and we are glad to sac the Mas
ter OF the National Grange dissussingit.
And we would say, right here, that
Mr.. Jones' whole address is well>con-
ceived and well-expressed. He says:
As a part of the system and plan Of the or
gan,zaton and government of the cooperative
societies Of Great Britain, which it was our
purpose to adopt, these rules. with some
slight changes, will be most valuable; but taken
alone they are disjointed link in . chain, the
perfection Of which by our British friends has
been the work of their educated, thinking,
practical men, for the last thirty-fve years.
The fraction which We have give our order has
been utilized to an extent which we can only
conjecture. Hundreds, and it may be thou
sands OF cooperative stores have been
0: the union, with various amounts of share
capital, and perhaps as various in other fea-
| lures, and in their fortunes. They are without
head or connecting link, "like SO many is
lands in the sea, without even = boat plying
| from one to the Other"-withoutt that principle
| OF unity which is the life of CO. operation and
the guiding star of humanity.
| Contrast this chaos and ignorance with the
admirable and intelligent system we would
follow. l have before me, single sheet, a
birds eye view of four hundred cooperative
societies in the United Kingdom;giving ofeach
chases from wholesale during the year; quar-
terly, half yearly and annual sale in each
department of trade; share capital, reserve
fund, buildings and fixed stock for trade pur-
poses, rate of dividend per 6, amount Of div
idend declared to members, and amount
birds eye view of cooperation in England
and Wales, compiled from the government
returns, showing the financial progress and
position ofthe cooperative movement during
the past seven years. With such information,
their cooperative congress, the head Of this
| system, acts intelligently. Without it, they
could take no safe action affecting their SUBJ
ordinate organizations.
With the perfection of our system Of organi-
zation, is the necessity Of educating our mem
bars in the true principles Of Corporation.
Let US follow the example Of our English
have received large number OF tracts, with the
proceedings OF their o-operativecongressf from
| 1858 to the present time, making y most val.
liable collection OF cooperative literature. We
have to reach the minds Of many who are ig-
norant, and to stimulate in them a thirst for
| knowledge. The latter, which is the iirst req.
uisite, is better accomplished by living mis-
sionaries. If wei could send out some OF the
| friends OF cooperation (who could bs named J
to act as pioneers in this work, we world soon
see large demand for co-operativef intcli
gence.
sentimental view OF our organization, that am
giving an undue prominence 10 Its material
objects. II so, Icannot think they have stud
led the deep philosophy, pure morality, lofty
virtue, and genuine religion, that nnderlies CO.
operative life. Rightly understood it is the
practical realization Of christian ethics. The
silent virtues oftemperance, forethought, Just
dealing, aud fellowship in work, will do MOI .
to correct the moral disorders which darken
our land, and have tainted our government.
as well as trade and commerce, than all the
penal statutes that have been or can be de-
vised. The material. moral, socaland intel
lectnal influences are in near connection with
each other. The most material things have
great influence Oh mental subjects, q sentiment
that ages ago the poet Homer gave vent to, In
saying that ''when man becomes q slave he
loses half his virtue."
At the last session Of this grange much in
terest Was expressed in the action which had
been taken by the cooperative societies of
Great Britain to inaugurate system of ex-
change with them and the agricultural pro.
d9cers in this country, and in their friendly
messages to oHr order, through their special
depntation, and subsequent correspondence
with our executive committee, which was
directed, By resolution ofthis body, to con-
tinne, Is did until point was reached when.
in my swn judgment, with the approval Of the
executive COMMITTEES, il became expedient 10
s-s.d special commissioner to confer with the
authori.,es in those societies upon this subject,
ard TO represent our ideas and interests in ~,
connection. Brother }. w. A. Wright was
appointed TO this Office. and it aIords ins SIN
cefe Pleasure to bear testimony to the ability.
dignity ann grace with which he discharges
is important duties.
III compliance with this resolution. again
brough. bsfore the committee, at thelrIate ses-
sion in Philadelphia. the proposed articles OF
association, with plan Of organizing thu
American section thereof, published in my cir
cuiar of July l4ai, copies Of which are also in
the hands OF the secretary for Jour use. The
executive COMMITTEES will rrport to you whst
action they hav. taken in thsse. matters.
commend this whole subject to your care
fHi consideration, Is one of Supreme jmpof-
tzncs 70 our order, trusting that by y0ur wiz.
action, the System Of cO-0psrati0n Tec0mmsnd-
ed II your last segsson may be perfected. and
that the articles provided Tor i.s extension 70
international commerce, through an Angle
American association, irsy b. found accept
able, and may te recommended To our mssn-
bers. Every safeguard which the expsrisncs
Of British co-operztors, and the moM careful
consideration on our side cOnld deyise. r.
thrown aSunnd the who1e scheme.
| Ofcourse We are unable To speak Of
the details of the proposed plan, or d
The spirit 10 which il j. 70 be carried out.
IBet we desire 70 express our sstisfsct:co
atnndi0g the National Grange dfscus-
ling thsse great practical questions.
inaeed q proving, ~ PArs0os, flsat =