The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-11-15
BUSINESS
THE MERCHANTS
SYSTEM.

Inc merchants business Sysleul justly |
challenges admiration for its efficiency IN
all its details, and the wonderful power 1t
yields over every branch OF trade and
industry This system is ample perfect
for all the requirements of commercial
interests, for the subordination of all 9th
err interests and classes dependent upon
or in any way connected with them, and
for promoting the individual interests of
the merchant class 1t shows more clear
ly and forcihly the strength of organiza-
ton than any other association OF capi-
talists or business men, for it combines a
larger membership and a greater amount
of capital In every town of any size,
Board of Trade exists, between which
and those of other towns and cities, there
exists the most perfect harmony of feeling
and action. The rules and regulations of
this system govern and control the mar
kets of the country; and their workings,
though silent and unseen by the masses, is
felt in every household in the land. These
rules and regulations, it is needless to say,
aside from their systematizing and faclh-
tating business operations, were designed,
first of all, to promote the interests OF the
merchant classes, to give them that advan-
tage over the unorganized producers of
the country, by which they realize the
lions share of the profits in the handling
and sale of all articles that enter into trade
and commerce.
The merchant may be ignorant Of the
principles of political economy, and gen.
orally is, for all his thoughts and efforts
are given to his own calling, but he I'M
derstands thoroughly the laws which gov
ern in business, and has so keen an APP
probation of the power of organization,
and the concentration of money to give it
form and strength, that though the initia-
ton and annual dues may amount to hun
dreds, and even thousands of dollars, he
is always member of the Board of Trade
or other organization of his class.
The merchants not only enjoy every
advantage which organization gives, but
they have been and are to-day zealously
supported by the press of the country.
This shrewd class understand the power
of the press, and, while they virtually con-
troll the political, literary and religious
press in all matters pertaining to their
interests,-for these papers almost invari-
ably sustain the city or town in any con-
test between them and the country-they
have numbers of journals specially devo.
ted to the interests of some particular
class interest which they sustain with al
most prodigal liberality
1t will thus be seen what an immense
advantage these organised bodies of mer
chants have over the non-organized pro
ducers of the country. They have absolute
control of the markets, in the purchase o.
the products of the farm and the sale o.
supplies they know exactly their marke
value, and what their ultimate value viii
probably be, while the producer is virtu
ally ignorant of these important matters
and so the former buy and sell always t.
the best advantage.
When the farmers commenced organiz
ing Oranges few years ago, and tn,
movement began to assume formidable
proportions, the merchants became thor
oughly alarmed. They saw that if the far
mers organized, they would soon learr
how they had been robbed and oppressed
under the old business system; and tina
this knowledge, while it would excite thei
indignation would also teach them thei
strength, and they would soon rise in opel
rebellion against the system 1t is need
less to point out the abuses that have al
ready fallen before the onward march O
the Grange. They are apparent to ever,
intelligent farmer; and yet, there are hun
dreds of thousands of farmers who still
seem to be incapable of comprehension,
either the power OF the necessity of or
ganization, and for whom Cooperation i
still meaningless word.
Farmers, in or out of the Grange, ouyb
TO watch every movement of their adver
saries, and profit by the example they Sc
them. If the merchant lives life of com
parative ease and luxury, at least during
portion of the year, spending his summer
at watering places, or seeking recreation
ana pleasure IN travel, and amassin- for
tunes upon the profits of the farmers tot
the latter should make it his business +
find out how it is done And TO oa;n RI;
knowledge, he must drop his pillow at leas
once week, and attend the Granof
where he can inform himself. Its knowl
edge he requires first, then CO operativ
action ne cannot get this knowledge b