The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-11-27

Of Trade aud Transportation, ''to
control absolutely tie Industrial and
commercial interests o our country,
and the DaIue of its broaucts."
Corporations are necessary and
beneficial, just so far as they return
to the people benefits equivalent to
the franchise granted to them; and
capital invested in such corporations
should be equally protected with
that employed in other Legitimate
business.
Congress is clothed with power
to be exercised only for the common
benefit, and every favor granted to
a particular class, or franchise given
to rail'ua or other corporation,
which does lJt return 10 the com
munity, or people at large, some real
benefits commensurate with the
privileges granted, is an act of in
justice to the people; and members
lending their influence or votes to
perpetuate the wrong, violate not
only their most sacred obligations
of office, but the trust confded in
them by their constituents.
In a constitutional government
like ours, founded upon the princi-
pie of political equality, and the
general consent of the governed,
Legislators, if true to their trusts, are
anxious to So legislate as to meet
public favor, and satisfy the popular
will, as indicated by memorials, let
ters and petitions from the people,
or those authorized to speak for
them: and when legislation is sought
to foster particular interest, with
little or no opposition from other
interests affected by it, and no re-
monstrances from the people, it is
generally taken as the consent of the
popular will, and the favor granted.
The indifference of those engaged
in agriculture, and the other indus
trial pursuits, to matters of legislaz
tion.and public affairs, has in other
times and in other countries, been
the primary cause of class legisla-
ton, which. has degraded labor and
robbed it of its just rewards, built
up monied aristocracy and monop-
olies, which own and control not
only the wealth of the country, but
the government itself. Such a con-
dition of affairs can only be averted
in this country by educating the
wealth producing classes to under
stand their privileges, and in the full
exercise Of their political rights, de
mand fairer representation in the
Legislative departments of the gov
ernment and equal protection to
their interests.
For this great work of educating
the agricultural classes of this coun-
try and to save them from the i'm
pending fate that has befallen the
agriculturists of the Old World, was
our Order created; and its future
prosperity will depend largely with
the legislation of this body in con-
nection with that of the several State
Oranges. That the Subordinate
Oranges, as a whole, are better or.
gan!zed and disci plined, better uni
ted, and have more thorough
knowledge of the'work and ihe real
purposes we aim to accomplish than
ever before, cannot be doubted; and
consequently are prepared to take
an advanced step and place the Or
der upon higher plane. To DO this
effectually, there must be we'll
matured system for uniform and
practical work for Subordinate
Oranges, whereby the meetings may
be made more interesting and bene-
fetal to the members, and at the
same time aim directly to remove
the obstacles in the way of an intel
ligent, elevated, honored and pros
perols agriculture.
SUBORDINATE ORANGES.
The aim of our legislation and
recommendation should be to en-
courage and strengthen the Subor-
dinate Oranges Let this object be
kept constantly in view, for upon
their prosperity depends the very
existence of our Order, and the
principal hope for an independent
and untrammeled agriculture in this
country. Every available means for
disseminating information among
the members should be employed
The press is the cheapest and most
effective educator of the masses;
and it is gratifying to know that we
have agricultural journals devoted
especially to our cause, ably edited
and true to every principle. Put
these in the hands of Patrons and
farmers generally, with well ar
ranged program for discussions, lit
erary exercises and social culture in