The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-08-01
THE CHANGERS.


I Proceedings OF Patrsn's Union, Held
\ atLaks Camp Ground June 1920
1682 -~
From Patrons Union
The meeting was called 70 order BY
| Dr. J. B. Bailey, President, and opened
Z BY PRAYER by Rev J. l. Cooper.
The President then delivered his an
nual address, which Was as follows,
after which the order Of business for the
day was announced:
address OF DR.. J. B. BAILEY.
Worthy Patrons,
In the inception of the first annual
meeting Of this Patrons Union, il is
natural for the originators and those
who are 10 be active participants to feel
a s0licitude and anxiety Tor its good re-
suits. unknown to others. 1t has been
said that ;his meeting was experimental; /;
test to ascertain what strength, in
/ huenee and beneficial results may be de
veloped ia behalf of the Order we rep
resent, and tie improvement Of our
agricultural relations, and obtain more
comprehensive and practical knowledge
of our public interest. 1t Is not the
design OF the meeting to lead off in any
new sphere Of thought or action, but to
educate and more closely unite ourselves
together for the propagation and pro-
| lection Of the broad and wholesome
platform Of principles taught by our
/ Order. OF which we as Patrons, are so
I Justly proud As some have unlustIy
!. charged. 10 political consultation has
called a. hither. Ii is not that, that
| has induced men and women to make
| the sacrifice of leaving their homes and
\ domestic affairs, and many coming long
distances to participate in the good
work Of our Order No partizan or sell
fish purposes prompt these actions. But
we feel that a spirit of true policy has
prompted all, the accomplishment Of
noble ends by honorable means. When
we look over the field of our chief labor
we sec they are already whitening for the
harvest Agriculture has been discussed
/ among us in all its phases and all its
! bearing, from seed time to harvest and
| from harvest to seed time again. When,
where, and how to plant and cultivate
and diversity our crops, have always re-
ceived their share OF consideration and
thought But the great problem that
affects the producer, is, how shall we
manipulate our crops that they who pro
duce them shall receive the just profits
of their toll.
II is undoubtedly true that the eau
tious and economical producer receives
| little more than 81 90 out of $500 he
produces. 1t is also a significant fact
that the public carriers receive twice as
much for Transporting bushel OF corn
I from St. Louis to Lake, as the farmer
| who tolls and sweats to make it. 1t Is
also true that the manipulators OF the
cotton crops, realize two-fold more OF
| the profits than the brown listed yeO
manry who produce it. We would ask
then, is this right? Is it just? If not,
how are the evils to be remedied? What
revolution in business affairs will be
necessary in order to return to the pro
ducer the profits of his labor? What
steps will be necessary to take to relieve
agriculture of the grievous burdens that
are not its own? How are we to remedy
the excessive tariffs, taxes, freightage,
weightage, scaleage, wasteage, sampleage
and the many other inroads and dedue-
tions that are made upon our crops-to
say nothing of the stupendous crimes
and sharp practices of dealing IN tu-
lures" These questions are significant,
and the evils indicated demand reform.
Farmers, these matters are yours to CON
slider. and the remedy, if remedied at all,
must come by your efforts; others feel
no interest in their correction, for un-
fortunately too many of the other classes
are pariieeps crimiRis to the great
wrongs. Intimately and indispensably
connected with agriculture is the sub
iect of education. This is the fulcrum
and lover of our hopes as grangers.
Our people must be prepared for intel
lieonE action upon all questions that
ahefsk1ur public interest rs one OF the
mo4t potent means of relieving agricul-
tur3 Of its onerous burdens. The asser-
tiop that a "virtuous and intelligent
people can never be enslaved, is no less
true than that an intelligent and united
people can wrest themselves from the
exactions and determinations of their
oppressors. But saws one, the demands
and exactiOns upon my time and means,
are such that l cannot educate; and my
children will have to grow up III lgno-
rance as thousands of others have done,
forI have to raise two bales of cotton
for the handling of one. Day IN and
day out, year in and year out, the same
unremitting toll with little opportunity
Of education or social recreation. Now
what is the remedy for these difficulties?
Ny oppressed and discouraged friend,
have but one plausible remedy to offer
you. That is:
Join the Orange 1t is a grand educa-
tional institution within easy reach OF
all of Gods poor. And when of proper
are. take your sons and daughters with
vou. and here in connection with your
neiphbors, study the practical lessons
of life. Study not only the science and
art Of agriculture-its Improvements
and resourees-but study closely all the
material questions that affect your inter
est as an American citizen andas mem
/ Der of that class who produces the
wealth of the government and gives i'm
petus to the wheels of its prosperity, and
by so doing, you viii be prepaid to act
/ intelligently and wisely, in public as
well as private affairs, and place In posi-
/ ton those true and faithful who will
lend helping hand to develop and pro-
tect agriculture until the prosperity and
greatness of this country will become
the admiration and example for all
other countries.
But, Patrons, as an auxiliary to educa-
ton, cooperation is one of the most po-
tent means of extricating the laboring
poor out of their many difficulties; but
saws one, | am not able to take the
benefits of CO. operation. | am too poor
but my friend, let me assure you, that
there YOU are mistakenly was designed
and does help the poor. The rich do not
need it so much, and the poor are likely
to always remain in their poverty unless
they accept the benefits cooperation
offers. Cooperation means self-help.
1t means mutual help, common sense,
Justice to all men, and the greatest num-
Der. 1t don't propose to take from any
one only the amount necessary for the
economical transaction of his business.
: 1t proposes that every man shall reap
the profits of his toll. In practical co
operation the profits of your labor does
not 90 into the pockets of another to in
crease his wealth and educate his chill
: dren, but is returned to the pockets OF
the man who produces it. By this sys
TEN. and this alone, every man il
thrown upon his own resources and eat
n. -, a I, ,.,;,,. hv- honest foil and moi