The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-05-07
From the Worthy lecturer OF
the National Grange.


Patrons of Husbandry was insti-
tuted for self protection and self
preservation of the American farm
ers, and its rapid growth of useful
ness is without parallel in the
history of our country. No organ
ization preceding it has accom-
plished SO much good for its mem
bers in the same length of time as
did the Grange. 1t has brought
the farmers from that isolated posi-
ton formerly SO common and SO
generally practiced on the farm to
that social culture that improves and
enlivens the mind to greater useful
ness. and to appreciate the good in
others; it has cultivated in its mem
bers generous hearts to feel for the
distress of their fellow beings; it
has opened the hand of charity 70
aid the needy, raise the fallen and
oppressed to higher position in
life. The Grange is educating its
members to better understand not
only their own but every interest in
the land. They are steadily becom-
ing more familiar with the general
interests of the whole country, and
with the questions of political econ
omy and the affairs of Government.
This makes them better farmers,
better citizens, aud more generally
useful, and elevates. them to higher
manhood aud woman -hoed- ! +
Would it not be we'll for farmers
who are not to-day identified with
the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
to pause and reflect and consider
candidly this subject which is of
such vital Importance to you, and
see the great advantages so richly
enjoyed by the general mem bership
of the Order, which improves them
socially, Intellectually, financially,
politically and morallye Gould you
realize the incalculable loss you have
already suffered by withholding
your membership from the Order,
the only organization of your class
working together to advance your
interest, the welfare of yourselves
and families, the only organization
that the farmers have ever had to
protect themselves and to advance
their interest, and the only one that
has promised relief or ever can re-
lieve the farmers from bearing I'M
just burdens, and restore to You
equal and just rights with other
classes and interests; could you
once see this subject in its true light
and comprehend its importance,
| am sure you would no longer per
nit the golden opportunity to pass
by unheeded, but would unite your
efforts and influence with those who
have stood firm in the Order, and
cooperate with them for the gen
eral good.
The toiling millions engaged in
agricultural pursuits have long since
realized that their interest has been
neglected and shamefully ignored.
Special legislation and favoritism
have been carried to such alarming
extent until unj just discrimination has
become the general rule between
agricultural labor and the distribu-
ton of its profits.
Exorbitant prices for farm sup
plies, unreasonable and burdensome
taxes, eXtortionate rates of trans
portation, and legislative discrimi-
nation against agriculture were the
great causes that contributed to the
absolute necessity of farmers or
ganization for self protection. Not
for urging warfare against any in
terest as is sometimes charged by
selfish and designing men, but to
the contrary, as its Declaration of
Principles clearly advocate, as we'll
as their efforts, claims and demands
made, which have all been in per-
feet accord with their avowed prin-
ciples, and in harmony with good
government, aiming to deal justly
with all mankind, and to bring
about just and economical relations
upon the broad and humane princi-
pies of exact justice between all in
terests and classes, so that prosper
ity, peace and happiness might
spread and be so distributed over
our whole country as to reach every
citizen and household and therein
enjoyed as the fruits of good gov
eminent.
No other organization promises
so much to its members and to the
world, none other can do so much,
and none can claim greater consid-
Grafton of an intelligent people, and
especially of the farmers, for much
of the future happiness and welfare
of farm life depends upon the pres
ent, and the farmers of to-day must
provide for the future, and the re-
suits of the near future depend al
together upon the efforts of the
present.
Patrons, we have much to en-
courage us that bids us onward.
Let us move up to greater energy,
renewed zeal, more activity, higher
purposes, and loftier aims, in all
that pertains to our noble Order,
and move steadily and success will
crown the effort.
Fraternallv, H ESHBAUGH.
Hanover, Mo, April 70, 1881.