The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-27

From the Pennsylvania Farmers Friend.
UTHIS SIAVISH RONDAGE
Master.

"IHIS SLAVISH BONDACE."
THE PATRON OF HU sBANDRY reports
conversation recently had with an intelli-
gent farmer and an active and influential
member of the Grange movement in the
South in regard to the condition and pros
poets of the Order He 1.-THE farmer) ad-
mitted that the success of the movement
was essential to the restoration of the pros
perity of farmers and of the country at
large, and that he should continue to do
all in his power to promote that success.
But he was little respondent. ''Look,"
said he, sat the power which the town
rings still hold over the farmers. Why,
sir, they are controlling the great body of
farmers to-day, notwithstanding the teach
ings of the Grange, which should long
since have made them intelligent, self-reli-
ant, independent in spirit, and freed them
from this slavish bondage; they still sub
NIT to be robbed and imposed upon by
merchants; they still wrangle with each
other and put themselves, their families
and their property in the hands oflawyers
who too often turn them loose bankrupt
in character and fortune; they allow the
professional office-seeker to use them as a
general does his army; they subscribe for
and read newspapers that are hostile to the
Grange, and which are known to be con-
trolled by lawyers, merchants and office
seekers, thus building up with the pro-
ceeds of their toll the very power that is
used to keep them disorganized, poor and
| Ignorant. Before VIC have that pros
perity in the Grange, that earnest, intelli-
gent cooperation which our best and
most patriotic farmers SO earnestly desire
and have been laboring for years to secure,
the great mass of farmers must study the
principles and purposes of our organiza
ton, subscribe for and read Grange Jour
mails, that they may learn what the Order
is doing throughout the country; cut loose
from the corrupt politicians and Office
seekers; Withdraw their support from the
political press, which is owned and con-
trolled by the town rings keep their pro-
perty out of the hands of lawyers by COM
promising their difficulties among them
selves or in the Grange; abandon the
credit system, and pay as they go. But
are they doing this? l fear not"
| The above reflections from an s.intelli-
gent farmer in the South, we regret to
confess, are more truthful than fanciful.
Until the farmers throughout the wide
scope of the American Continent are
clearly taught that their only escape from
this 'tslavish bondage" is in connecting
themselves with the Grange movement
they need not sigh for breaking of the
shackles that hold them so secure in bon
dage. So long as they please to allow po-
litical rings" lawyer tricksters, corpora
ton monopolists and opponents Of sub
sidized anri-agricultural press to strangle
their cherished interests through their de-
ceitful cunning and crafty legerdemain
manipulations in Legislative halls, so long
may they expect to remain in abject sla-
very. Our ''intelligent farmer" has I'M
doubtedly given us positive proof as to the
cause of this. But as he has also most ex-
pIicitly suggested a positive remedy for
their escape, if they SO desire, it behooves
all, while there is time, to venture into the
path that leads to absolute freedom. That
path unerringly leads within the gates OF
the Grange.