The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-08-09
FROM THE MASTER OF The
TENNESSEE STATE GRANGE.

TENNESSEE STATE GRANGE.
Bro. WoytAing7ou. Those of us who
hold that the agricultural interests-of the
country, in view of their extent and I'M
nortance. merit higher consideration at
the hands of the General Government tnan
they have heretofore received, sympathlse
most heartily with the Patrons OF your
State in their wish to see Worthy Master
Darden elected to the u. S. Senate. Mis-
sissippi would honor herself by elevating
TO that high office one who is SO fully 1den-
tilted with her industrial interests, and SO
thoroughly in sympathy with her tolling
masses, and whose statesmanllke view OF
the situation-whose clear conception OF
the wants of those engaged in agriculture,
and lust comprehension of the remedies
for the evils corrupt and vicious Federal
legislation has .entailed upon us, eminentiy
iustifies his choice for an Office for which
he is so we'll fitted.
His letter of the 18th inst. contains
clear and forcible presentation OF that
higher and ultimate purpose OF the orange
to educate the farmer, not only IN making
the best use of his opportunities IN I'M
proved agricultural methods, but also IN
the knowledge of public affairs, and in the
best methods of government 10 no
one is the Order more indebted than to
Worthy Master Darden for the advanced
step, which demands for the masses
more practical education in the knowledge
of public affairs, and proper representa-
ton of our great leading industry in the
legislative bodies.
This does not involve the introduction
of politics into the Grange, though this
new departure widens its influence, still IN
accordance with its original purposes,
however, and strictly in keepin with the
"Declaration of Purposes" in which is
recognized the necessity that the farmer
should have Il proper knowled sc OF public
affairs. that he may act intelligently in the
exercise of his sovereign rights IN giving
practical force to such measures as the
public welfare demands. 1t is claimed IN
that Declaration that the principles of the
Order underlie all true politics, all true
craftsmanship, and that their general rec
ognition would purify the political atmos-
phere in which we live, and lnculcates
upon all Patrons the duty of an earnest
effort to promote the ends of good gov
eminent in accordance with them.
Now, the Order seeks, through the en-
ployment of adequate means, to promote,
in the most comprehensive sense, the IN
terests of those engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and no more confines itself to the
farm and field than that all the interests of
the farmer centre in his farm, or that all
his duties are circumscribed by the same
morrow limits, and inculcates in all its
teachings the truth that wholesome laws,
and their honest administration, are as
necessary to the welfare of the citizen, as
it is to the success of the farmer that his
loI h. IL i. 81
keeping in view the double character of
Patron as citizen and an industrial factor.
The Grange hope of success in its pur-
pose to improve theS-condition of those
engaged in agricultural pursuits, is based
upon the adaptability of its educational
plans to promote the growth in practical
knowledge of those engaged in its active
duties and to prepare them for intelligent
action in reference to all questions that af-
feet their interests, whether they are So
cial, industrial, or political No Grange
view is more clearly developed than that
ours being a government of the people,
the people should be the grand central,
moving, controlling power in it, and that
this power should be wisely and thought
fully directed, and it is only when such
direction is based upon a just conception
of the proper means to secure the results
at which we aim, whether through legis-
lation or enlightened progress in develop
ing our industrial interests, that we can
hope for success. - @
If it were demonstrated that our inte--
ests are best subserved when we delegate
to other classes and interests, many of the
representatives of which, by vicious legis-
lation, have become the Favored few"
the right to manufacture our opinions for
us upon all questions of public policy,
which too often favor individual and cor
porate interests, we should indeed, have
nothing 10 do but to confine ourselves to
such matters as tend to make us more eff
Gent as showers of wood and drawers of
water" But no truth is more obvious, in
view of existing evils, than that we should
be better informed as to the nature and
bearing of the political questions of the
day, aud we should regard it as unfo1tu-
nate if we, an Order which is laboring to
advance the interests of one of the largest
and most important classes in the country,
could not, in our efforts in this direction.
investigate and discuss questions of vital
importance except from partisan stand
point @ aa Ee
On the contrary, both the spirit and
teachings of our Order are opposed to any
influence, partisan or otherwise, which
prevents the consideration of any question
IN the Grange upon its own merits. The
public welfare demands the thoughtful in
vestlgation of questions of public policy
by those who, in the exercise of their SOW
ereign rights, have the control and mas
terry over those who represent them. We
cannot shrink from the responsibilities
which free government imposes upon us.
nor delegate to others our right of self
government without endangering our
most vital interests as free people; and
SO the duty is most imperative that we
should endeavor to qualify ourselves for