The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-03-04
Against Farmers
Howit WOrkS-Our DwindIed
shipping Interests--Inler
.,d nuties of Farmers.

AtssoUR1 STATE GRANGE.
Which are the important interest
of our country-Agriculture, Com
nerce, Labor, Manufacture, Trade
Railroads, Banking or Speculation
Judging from reading the politica
nress, the maniptilations in politics
he efforts of demagogues, the leeis
iation of the country, one woulc
suppose that the three last named
enterprises are the important in,
terests of the whole country, from
the fact that they are kept promi
nently before the people by the
hubble press. Partisan demagogues
Employ every effort imaginable to
control the political elements and
elections with a view of getting
LEGISLATION in the interest of these
three enterprises. Such has been
the case for many years, until we
see these three consolidating their
efforts in controlling the Govern
nent and all that ISM it. Agricul
ture and labor are frpaposed upon
and robbed of their reward. Our
inland commerce is neglected and
4 made subservient to these three ele
ments. Our foreign commerce is
made to do homage to the power
that claims to control.
Less than twenty five years ago,
American ships carried three
fourths of all our exports and i'm
ports with foreign nations, while
foreign ships carried only one
fourth But by the manipnlations
of three controlling elements, part
sanism was made their servant and
legislation directed in the interest
of various speculations Our Amer
lean ships were sold to foreign cap
italsts, and the money received for
them invested in bonds, in banks.
in railroads, and other speculative
schemes provided for by selfish
legislation.
Last year, American ships carried
only one fifth of our foreign trade,
while foreign ships carried four
ffths. The following figures illus
trate the facts clearly. Our foreign
trade, twenty-five years ago, was,
in round numbers:
Exports and imports. 100000, 900
Since increased to....,....... qoo, 100000
Total now e. rCO oo1 800
American ships carried then$ 10000, 900
Foreign ships carried then 10000, 900
American ships carry now goo, ooo. 900
Foreign ships carry now..... 400, 1000. 900
Thus it is shown that American
ships carry $15o,ooo,ooo less of our
commerce now than they did then,
while foreign ships carry $t,o5o,-
100000 more now than they did
then. Yet we have an abundance
of material of every kind, in nearly
every section of our country, and
skilled labor to build the best ships
in the world. But instead of util-
ling the advantages, we allow the
material to go to waste and the
labor to be unemployed, and then
pay millions annually to foreign ma
tons to transport our commerce to
the other nations of the earth. Agri-
culture, labor, commerce and man
ufactures are all compelled to con-
tribute largely and unjustly to
moneyed corporations, not only to
support them but to enrich them by
the millions.
These burdens of injustice have
depressed our agricultural interests
to such an extent that it is often
not self-supporting, and seldom
leaves sufficient income over ex-
penditures for the farmer to divide.
even moderate wages to himself
and his family for services rendered.
ct agriculture produces more an
nuaI wealth than all the other mate
rails combined. But by this sche-
ming for special favoritism by these
corporations, laws are made so COM
phcated and so much in their favor
that gives them undue advantages,
and permits them to exercise au-
thority whereby they are enabled
to tax agriculture unjusty and un-
bearably.
Now, from this embarrassing
and humiliating position into which
the farmers have fallen, by living
isolated, negligent and unorganized,
they seek to eXtricate themselves
not by scheming, trickery or any
method of injustice, but upon the
fundamental principle ofjustice and
equity, so that all may enjoy the
fruits of their own labor.
For this purpose, the Order of
Patrons of Husbandry was insti-
tuted and made National in its
character, admitting every farmer
and his family, if of good moral
Standing and not engaged in any
fbblng antagonistic to our principles.
"'ionS aim only to re- establish the
position that agriculture occupied
N the early days of the American
government, whereby their rights
may be again respected and their
JuS5 demands properly considered,
ana their profits and advantages
more equitably distributed so that
oney may accomplish the greatest
Sooo to the greatest number. The
ofgan aims to protect its members
III IneIr legitimate rights, and pre-
vent the entertainments made upon