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

Oanurv, JOnn ~. Jones ESQ.,. 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 pro-
Iscess OF interchange that would give them
cheap TODD for cheap manufactures, and
thus get clear OF the thousands of midi
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 see 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 part of the system and plan of the or
ganization 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 a dlsjointed 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-five 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
established in the various states and territories
| OF the union, with various amounts of share
capital, and perhaps as various in other fea-
| lures, and in their fortunes. They are without
a head or connecting link, sslke so many is
lands i'll the sea, without even q boat plying
from one to the other'-without 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. / have before me, single sheet, a
bird IS eye view of four hundred cooperative
societies in the United Kingdom;giving Of each
| the name, location, number of members, pur-
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 s, amount of div
ldend declared to members, and amount
devoted to education. On the same sheet is n
| birds eve 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 in.eigently. 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
bers in the true principles Of cooperation.
| Let us follow the example OF our English
friends in this also. Through their courtesy
have received a large number OF tracts with the
proceedings OF their o-operatlvecongressf from
1858 to the present time, making !. most val
liable collection OF cooperative literature. We
have to reach the minds of many who are ig-
| norant, and to stimulate in them thirst for
knowledge. The latter, which is the Iirst req
uisite, is better accomplished by living mis-
sonaries. Ifwes could send out some Of the
friends OF cooperation (who could be named J
to act as pioneers in this work, we would soon
see large demand for co-operativee intelli
gence.
1t may be thought by some who take a solely
sentimental view OF our organization, that am
giving an undue prominence 70 Its material
objects. Ii SO, Icannot think they have stud
led the deep philosophy, pure morality, lofty
virtue, and genuine religion, that underlies CO.
operative life. Rightly understood it is the
practical realization Of christian ethics. The
silent virtues oftemperance, forethought, lust
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, social and intel i.
lectual Influences are in near connection with
each other. The most material things have
great influence Oh mental subjects, "a sentiment
that ages ago the poet Homer gave vent to, in
saying that "when man becomes 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 marguerite system Ut ex-
change with them and the agricultural pro-
ducsrs in this country, and in their friendly
messages TO orr order, through their special
deputation, and subsequent correspondence
with our executive committee, which was
directed, by resolution OF this body, 10 con-
time, rs did until point was reached when.
in my own Judgment, with the approval Of the
executive committee, il became expedent 70
s-s.d special commissioner TO confer with the
Iauthoritles il those societies upon this subject,
ard TO represent our ideas and interests in this
connection. Brother J. w. A. Wright wa,
appointed to this Office, and it af)rds me SIM
cere pleasure TO bear testimony to the ability.
dignity ana grace with which be discharges
rs important duties.
In compliance With this resolution. agaiu
brought before The committee, at thelriate sss-
son n Philadelphia, the proposed articles OF
association Of All Ang American cooperative
ASSOCIATION, with pan OF organizing she
American section thereof, published in my cir
GUAR u July liHi, copies Of which are also in
the hands OF the secretary for your use. The
executive committee will report to yoH what
action they have taken in thsse matters
commend this whole subject to your care
Jul consideration, Is one of supreme impof-
lance 70 our ORDER, trusting that ny your wiz
action, the System Of cooperation recommend
ed at your last session may y. perfected, and
that the articles provided for Is extension to
international commerce, through an Anglo
American association, i1ay b. found Accept
able, and may i- recommended 10 our ins,n-
bers. Every Safeguard which the experiences
Of British co-opersfors, and the most careful
consideration ON orr side could devise. is
thrown around the who1O scheDe.
4 Ofcourse we are unable To speak of
the details oil the proposed plan. or Of
the spirit in which it is TO be carried ont.
But We desire to express our sssisfact:on
= finding the National Grange discuss
ling taese great practical questions.
inGtead Of proving. GM Parxons, that =
particular genudexion shouId 10 made
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