The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-11-01

( Farmers clubs seem to be making IN
roads upon the Grange in many sections:
In New England there are 23o farmers
clubs, with 1900 active members, own
ling 10000 volumes treating upon, agrlcul
tural subjects. In many places where the
local Grange has failed, farmers clubs,
have risen from their ashes. 1t is really
| immaterial after all, whether Oranges do
occasionally ego under" if farmers clubs
are formed afterwards. But few beniti-
cent results have been achieved by the
| Grange, outside of the interchange OF
opinions and the disclosure of personal
| observations and experiences OF Its lndl-
yidual members. There is nothing that
has made the Grange useful to members
but can likewise be accomplished by the
| farmers clubs. "What's in name! A
rose by any other name will smell as
| sweet Southern LiUe-Stoc Journal.
We regret exceedingly to see the above
in the columns of our contemporary. we
do not believe that the journal intends
to array itself against the Grange, but it
| is just such unfair thrusts as the above
that the political papers that are hostile to
the Order having aiming at it for years.
The farmers clubs" are VIGOROUSLY in
efficient for the purposes of a compact or
ganization of farmers. Nothing practical,
nothing of importance, has ever been &C
complished by these clubs, except in
very few instances.
We dissent most earnestly and emphat-
ically from the assertion that "but few
benefcent results have been accomplished
by the Oranges outside of the interchange
of opinions and the disclosure of personal
observations and experiences of its indi-
vidtial members" And tens of thousands
of intelligent farmers in almost every State
| in this Union will unite with us in this
| dissent and denial.
The Grange has accomplished nothing!
Let US see. Under its auspices business
system has been planned and perfected
which is making steady Roadway in most
of the States, and is destined at nc. distant
day to supercede the unfair, expensive
and oppressive competitive system of the
merchants. Under that cooperative sys-
tenn, the farmers that transact their bnsi-
ness through the Grange agencies and
stores, are saving thousands and tens of
thousands and hundreds Of thousands of
dollars annually. The Grange has shed
more light on the principles and practice
years than they had learned in a life time
in the hard school of experience.
The Grange has taught the farmers to
read and think, and to discuss private and
public questions, and with this thought
and discussion a spirit is growing up that
will make them the controlling element in
this country
A Grange here and there may suspend
active work, and the Order in entire coun-
ties and States may become dormant, but
that by no ,,neone implies that the Order
is dead. Dormant Oranges can be re-
vi0ed. Hundreds have been revived du-
ring the present year and become more
active and efficient than ever.
"Whats in a manner" Everything! The
old formers club loosely organized and al
ways controlled by few lawyers and mer
chants, means absolutely nothing, so fa1
as it contemplates the union of farmers fol
practical cooperative effort A farmer
club may get up debate some times, o.
an agricultural fair in which horse racing
f is the leading feature, but beyond these
useful but secondary purposes, is utterly
inefficient.
The Grange, on the other hand, means
the intelligent, compact organization o
farmers tor protective operations in bust
ness, industrial and public affairs, and TO
: the education of its members and thei
children, and their elevation in all tn
walks of life.
Because the Grange is attracting les
: attention than it did few years ago, be
fore the noisy politicians and demagogue
that crowded into the organization haC
been weeded out, its enemies need not ala,
the hattering JUNCTION to their souls tina
that indicates dissolution and decay. TIL
Grange is not mere experiment, nor wa
it designed for a temporary purpose.
was built upon a rock, AND HAS COME tt
STAY!
= at is no saplng chancesown by the fountain,
Blooming in spring, in autumn to fade;
) When the whirlwind shall strip every leaf fror
S the mountain,
The more shall the farmers exult in its shade
= Moored in the rifted rock
: Proof to the tempests shock
= Firner It's rooted the harder it blowsr'
We oppose the competitive system Q
- the merchants as much for its immora