Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-11
The "PatrOns OF Husbandry."


Time enough has now elapsed to show
that the fears which sprang up in many
minds when it was noised about that the
farmers of the nation were organizing them.
selves into great society Tor mutual advan-
tage are utterly groundless. So far as heard
from, nobody that ought not to be has been
hurt, while the fact that the society main
tains itself in health and efficiency proves
that the supposed need of such union was
not groundless.
Those timid souls who thought chaos was
going to be destroyed have indeed realized
their fears, for the agricultural interest has
risen out of its chaotic and helpless condi-
tion and is acknowledged to be as much,
and as legitimately, power i'll the nation
as any other industry. But we think even
the worthy clergyman who once charged us
with aiming to set one class of society
against another, because we approved of the
purposes of the Patrons" will now admit
that no harm has come Of the experiment
The farmers have assailed no useful institu.
ton; they have not attempted to revolu-
tionize society or the government; they have
thrown all their influence in favor of honest
politics and necessary REFORM and they
stand united to-day as representing the most
hopeful ideas, as they represent the most
helpful industry, of our land.
We do not know that all will acknowledge
this, for some of the opponents of the move
ment, doubtless, did not give their real rea-
sons for their opposition. They were art
and part with abuses that such an organiza-
ton threatened but as the whole nation
rapidly followed the farmers in demanding
the abatement of such abuses, the response.
bility of the movement was equalized, and
the patrons ceased to stand as a solitary
target for frightened Indicators to practice
their sharpshooting at.
1t is well, at this time, to take a little look
at the condition of so great and widespread
a society, by far the most numerous and III
any good cause the most powerful of the
many which have existed, or do exist
amongst us. 1t is reported that in our own
state it has never been so prosperous, aud
never was gaining in membership and prac
tical efficiency so rapidly as now. AROUND
the country, with slight exceptions, the story
is the same. In Maine, the last of the New
England states in which it established itself
tits reported as being both useful to the farm
ers and popular with all Glasses of society
The principles it processes, and has Away
professed, are right in the line of the effor
that is generally seen to be called for by tn,
times. 1t stands for all progress that is i'm
provement, but it stands also for going bach
from that false progress that lands us in thu
slough of political corruption and business
bankruptcy. 1t organizes our chief indus
try that it may stand i'll line for the defens'
of civil aud social order. 1t opposes alik'
the absurdities of socialism and the ell
croachment of aristocracy 1t is, in short
but the embodiment of principles which
have made the American farmer bulwarl
of liberty order and religion 1t could no
be otherwise, since it embodies the farmer
themselves, and in its action responds solel,
to their will. 1t has no leaders its Off
cials are simply its servants. We belev,
that the country to-day recognizes it as
source of strength to everybody that need
strengthening in our political and socia
framework and as a terror only to thos
who would weaken what is already too veal
by their misdoing.