The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-06-26

"
than in the Granger 1t is unfortu-
nate that the farmers do not see that
their true interests lie in the support
of this order. Not more than one.
twentieth of them have connected
themselves with the organization.
They allege in excuse that they
cannot find time to attend the meet
ings. but seem to have enough 10
spare to ride around after candidates
for office-to attend shooting match
es or visiting grog shops. In the
Northwest it is otherwise for every
man belongs to the Order who has
the proper qualifications.
There is sad need of the Grange
to extend a general information
among farmers upon subjects which
concern their own business. How
many of them can tell the price OF
their crops-tbe expenditure incur
red in getting it ready for market
and the profit they may hope to re-
alize from their labor? What profit
is it to the bulk of the farmers to see
in Columbia at the State Fair, ex-
hibitions of corn and cotton pro-
duced at high price? The impor-
tant question is how to make cotton
and get it ready for market at five
cents pound and sell it for ten
cents. The farmers need some or :
ganization and general instruction
as to the management of the bust
| ness outside of the actual cultivation
of the farm. The disposal OF their
produce at remunerative prices
necessitaties a general knowledge
of the simpler rules of business.
They paw out too much money to
others for attending to what they
might transact themseles by the ex
ercise of a little thought and intelli-
gence. In the fixing up of land
titles, leases and contracts of the
simplest character, they call in the
aid of the bar, who really attend TO
three fourths of their business for
them. The merchants do the other
one fourth. In every case there is a
drain upon the pockets of the farm
ers and expenditure which might
by easily avoided. A mans bust
ness will always be attended to best
when he does it himself. The re-
ference to lawyers and merchants
was not intended in any invidious
way, but as illustrating the true
state of affairs. 1t was fortunate
for the farmers of South Carolina
that we had such honorable and
honest lawyers to deal with and
who, with all their opportunities,
do not take more advantage of the
farmers than they have done. The
Grange does not mean to put down
other callings in life, but means to
have concert and com bination for
the better protection of itself. No
man has a right to devolve his du-
ties upon 9th ers. Every one owes
something to the community in
which his fortune is cast. These obi.
cations are social and business in
their nature. The purpose of the
Grange is to inspire its members
with a true understanding of their
duties.
The marked change in prices of the
prime articles of necessity which
has taken place within the last few
years, is IN great measure due tc
the Grange, which has become {
silent regulator of these things
The education which prevails
among the farmers is calculated tc
teach the youth away from proper
appreciation of the importance anc
responsibility of agriculture. The
very brightest and best young men
of the country should be trained fol
this calling, instead of crowding
them into the professions, and thu:
the responsibility and standing O
these professions is advanced. The
Grange has not thrived in small vii
lagos because they are Independent
of the social features of the order
This is not so in the country wher,
sociabilty is confined to the various
church denominations, which have
their special circles, and the mass o
the people only get together wher
. funeral or other calamity come
upon them. The Grange brings tn,
people together, and makes then
. one, socially and morally; care
nothing for external conventional
ties and artificial distinctions, blu
teaches honesty, integrity, good be
haviour and morality. These arr
the cardinal principles of the organ
, ization. Then it makes opposition
to the tyranny of fashion and doe
away with the false notion tina
''dress is substitute for character.
The province of the Grang e is t,
take cognizance of everything tina
improves the social status of tn,
, people and adds to the comfort anC
: happiness of its members and thei
neighbors If the farmers are il
/ need of legislation they do not tax,
! the trouble to make it known, bu
depend for needed relief upor
chance. Other business men Sc,
f to it that their interests have repre-
5 sentatives at the seat of government
when anything relating to then
: may happen. The only mode fo
, farmers to take care of themselve.
| is to have concert of action. Thu
. they can hold their own. The or
f der is especial important to the la
dies. Men have reserves to fall
back upon, but the women hav,
| nothing of the kind The Grang,
f assures them full power and influ
! ence. It's three cardinal principle
are Faith in God, Hope in the flu
tnra and Oh a ritu nd Eidol;f,r e., -.