The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-04-23

like bosom of destruction the old
landmarks, and brought in its track
a new order of things, entirely
changing the civil, social and do
nestle relations which has for so
log a time obtained, it was made
necessary that new departure be
taken to meet the existing state OF
affairs.
While the combined power of
proprietorship, capital and labor
were in full force and could be ex-
ercised with such a degree of energy
and good Judgment on the part OF
the individual farmer, as to make it
self-sustaining, and in some cases
remunerative, yet when nothing
was left but proprietorship, and
that doubtful, when capital was all
swept away and labor was elevated
to citizenship, and invested with all
the rights and privileges which be
long to the free man, the Southern
farmer was forced to adapt himself
to the changed condition of affairs,
and the system which has for so
long a tune prevailed, must now be
abandoned and one entirely new,
and so far as he was concerned un-
tried, must be adopted.
While the results of the war broke
up the combination of proprietor
ship, capital and labor, and while
the combination of producer and
manufacturer, hich in almost all
Southern homes, to some considera-
BILE extent, prevailed, was destroyed,
and the farmer was left poor, and
thrown upon his own individual re-
sources, with nothing but his land,
and no means of controlling capital,
the effect was entirely different upon
the rings and combinations which
had SO long been formed against
him, but which he had been able
to resist because he possessed, in his
own individuality, the means of
self-defence. The ravages of war
destroyed his MEANS and left him
helpless and defenceless, while it
strengthened the RINGS and perfec-
ted the combinations against him.
Organizations, combinations, mu-
tual understanding and corpora
tons, were the measures of oppres-
sion to the agriculturist in the
hands of those who propose to live
upon the hard earned grains of the
farmer.
Under this condition of things
the farmer lost confidence in the
honesty and integrity of men in
general, and his lack of confidence
led him to believe that every man S
hand was against him, and he look
ed with as much suspicion and dis
trust upon his neXt-door neighbor,
engaged in the same pursuit with
him, as he did upon the rings and
combinations which had been in
fiicting every means of oppression
upon his class.
The founders of the Grange saw
all this They knew that unless
something was done to bring the
farmers closer togather all would be
lost. They saw that now was the
time to turn the attention of the far
mers to the fact that safety could
alone be found in organization.
That individual action amounted to
nothing when opposed by combina-
ton, and that BUSH-WHACKING
could not more successfully break
the solid and we'll aligned columns
of those who had perfected their or
ganization, and were marching to a
sure victory.
The Grange came on its mission
Of peace and salvation 10 the op-
pressed and hel pless farmers. 1t
proclaimed the truth chat agricul-
turists were of one brotherhood !;
and destiny awaited them; that
united in an organization, bound to-
gether in one common tie, ''the
strong tie of agriculture" and fos-
tering mutual understanding and
co operation" they would be in a
condition to meet and rebel every
assault made by those who had
been laying upon them the heavy
hand or oppression.
If mutual understanding exists
anywhere between individuals, it
is to found among those who are
brought into close relationship the
one with the other If mutual I'M
Outstanding in regard to the aims
and objects, the purposes and meas
uces which are proposed to accom-
plish great and good results, pre-
vail, it is among those who are ban
Ged together for that object and
who meet frequently and statedly
to discuss them, and encourage and
stimulate each other in the great
work on hand.
Without mutual understanding
there can be no efficient and effec
tive cooperation, and without CO.
| operation, mutual unders landing
will amount TO but little. The
two must go together-so soon as
there be separation nothing will
be accomplished-but both will
perish.
1t would open up too wide field
to discuss this point further. The
object was to be suggestive only
Upon these two, mutual under
standing and cooperation, the
whole work of the farmers organ
ization depends.
Ours is a GREAT national fraterna a