The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-06-26
Fte }}atra't Of }N}'rsbandrg
H. WORTHINGTON. EDIroR
NULU NJ u, WESS.
Saturday. June 26. 1850.

The great mass of farmers. those
whose interests are confined to agri-
culture, cannot dispense with the
Grange. lti the only organization
/ in existence that affords them the
way and means of uniting and con
centratlng their strength to promote
their interests and protect them
selves from the encroachments of
other classes. The farmer who has
accumulated money and invested it
in some store or bank in the town or
city, NAV think that the Grange is a
useless institution, and that the bust
ness system of the merchants is best
for him, but in this he is greatly mis-
taken. He may see greater imme-
date returns for his money when
& invested in store, but when so in
vested it is used to strengthen and
perpetuate a business system that
robs labor of its just rewards and
necessarily keeps the farmer and
other laboring classes in state of
4 ignorance and poverty The oper-
alton OF the merchants business sys-
tenn is ruinOus to the farmers, and
the farmer who sustains it with his
money and patronage will sooner or
later fall under the blighting effects
OF its power and influence. The in
terests of the great mass of farmers
are Identical. What oppresses one
opPresses all. The farmer who
thinks otherwise and shapes his ac-
ton accordingly, simply deceives
himself.
The leading members of the Or
der knew that if the farmers of the
country would inform themselves so
that they could see and understand
the truth-learn the principles that
govern IN tie various departments
oi llfe-and lay aside the petty pref
udlceS and selfish considerations that
Keep them apart, they would rally to
the standard of the Grange by the
hundreds of thousands. And this
mas been the great object of our
ieaalng minds-to spread the light
oI intelligence. Those patriots have
Iaoored with pen and voice and the
81 printed page to get the attention of
'le farmers and to arouse them from
'lle Iethargy into which they have
laHen, and which unchanged must
inevitably end in slavery to other
classes that have become intelligent
anu powerful through organization.
no farmer can, in justice to him
'ell and his family, remain outside
VI 'ne orange. His natural position
. 'nere, and as long as he holds back
nc Is supporter of other classes
whose strength and wealth come
''0'ii the division and toll of the pro-
ducers.
Nof can any farmer safely transact
D,S business affairs under the mer-
nfr1
N""iitS system, for that system is
1"JuSt and burdensome in its exac-
'ols' oppressive in its rules and reg
I'"'iohS, and corrupting in its ten
uencles and influences. Under it,
"' producer is powerless to protect
'o interests, and the inevitable re-
''' iS' he is defrauded of the greater
pa. OF the profits of his toll.
Ihe Rochdale cooperative system
a' oeen thoroughly tested and
lOund to be adequate to the needs of
VIC farmers of this country as it has
= 'ne farmers and workingmen of
s'ahu' 1t is just and equitable
v W. Pfinclple and simple in practice.
"efeVer the system has been put
ali p'Scnce and its principles rigidIy
1Hered to, it has been profitable and
r.s,Sctory, and it is making such
P'u progress that its general adop-
IVA ~ the Oranges throughout the