The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-14
Ihe Gran Se

Like nll-other innovations, the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry has been met
with the usual amount of inquiry, spec
ulations and opposition. 1t may very
truthfully be said, that cit is the way OF
the world"
All theories, ideas, enterprises and in
novations of an important character,
meet with these obstacles in their prom
,,Igation. This is as it should be, for it
simply acts as the grindstone-so to
epeek-upon which to whet the ''sword
Of reform" by the action Of which truth
is evolved, while enterprises not possess
ing the merit of worth or greatness IN
their conception and working, must IN
eyitably fall But while speculation and
opposition have been rife, the Order has
being gradually extending itself; its prln-
ciples, objects and aims were gradually
being disseminated throughout the broad
expanse Of the United States, until al
ready it assumes a vastness of proportion
unsurpassed if equalled by any secret or
der having existed for the same length
Of time. So It is that man in the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry gives another
evidence OF that greatest Of all laws, I'M
planted in his nature by the Almighty,
the law Of progression.
Another evidence that social and busl-
ness evils can only be temporary III their
existence, that the very existence ana
practical working of corrupt business and
social commerce between man and man,
will generate of itself the proper reform,
and the theory entertained by many peo-
ple that at certain periods or stages OF
mans advancement, there is retrogres-
sion in his social, intellectual and moral
situation, must fall.
This is believed by many to be the
near condition of mank ind, owing to the
very numerous instances OF fraud and
corruption that have been developed IN
the high and low places. They believe
that the limit to mans progress must
occur at some point i'll his career and I'D
that he only climbs to the ioftIest heights
to slip back again The truth is that
the law which yields its memorable scep-
ter over man is the law Of progression
one which has its application to all AMI
mate creation, and which beginning IN
infancy actuates man throughout the
course of his earthly existence, and
must doubtless govern him within the
realm of grand and incomprehensible
eternity. But to my subject proper;
thus we must concede, that 1t is lmpossl-
BILE for an evil to long exist without
remedy being suggested; therefore, the
evils of business and social commerce
have suggested to the agricultural people
of the United States, the necessity Tor
speedy and etiectual reform in that dlrec-
ton.
Fully realizing the truth, that no en-
inence of success could be attained with
out unity of action, and that unity
could not be successfully reached without
an organization, which should to certain
extent, be exclusive or secret in Its sess-
ions, we have as result, the Order OF
Patrons of Husbandry.
While the American people are impul-
sive and quick to act, they are also an
eminently practical people. The very
nature OF the government under which
they live, the occupations and enterprises
of a business character in which they are
engaged as we'll as their social customs
and relations, tend to cultivate and fos-
ter that spirit in view of this fact and
the platform of principles so clearly
enunciated by the order, we may safely
conclude that it has all elements Of prac-
ticability about it as well as sterling
worth.
The evident popularity of the order
is shown in its rapid increase, the sub
stantiaI benefits ACQUIRING from its practi-
cal working, and the strongest testimo-
nv of lis value to tine agricultural world
although jealous middlemen and " old
fogyism" have prophesied for it the poor
est results, and that its growth would be
of a mushroom character, and its career
seort-lived We know the object of mid
dlemen in thus decrying the order, de-
sire to retard its progress for their pecu-
MARY advantage, for, the moment they
acknowledge its power, they will be for
ced to exclaim with Othello, that their
Occupations gone"
Unfortunately the notion has been
quite prevalent with merchants and other
business men, that the order was organic
ed for the purpose of instituting an inds-
criminate warfare upon all classes of bus
mess, not tavoring the interests OF the or
der.
While this is clearly not the position
of the order, and scarcely worth retut
ing, it it but simple justice to say, that
it has not assumed a single aggressive at
titude that was not warranted by the
strongest sense of justice, and which was
not produced by oppressive, commercial
and other conditions.
The first object of the organization is
the promotion of social, intellectual, and |
consequently moral Improvement. 1t is
the desire that the farmer should mark as
high an intellectual standard as other |
men, as by expansion Of his mind the
correctness and accuracy of his judg-
ment may be established as well as
stronger interest inculcated in the politi-
cal affairs of his country. His reflective
and reasoning powers trained by active
exercise, that he may attain greater sue
cess, and occupy with greater honor the
supremacy honorable position which he
now Occupies tiller of of soii