Lancaster enterprise. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1891-1905, 1897-12-01
Agricultural Clubs, Oranges and
Alliances.

Nothing contributes more eff
fectually to the Improvement and
development Of any industry than
organization Of those engaged in
1T for social, educational and eco.
nomic benefit of its members.
1t matters little under what
name or organic law such bodies
are associated, provided the OBJ
Jects are laudabls and legitimate
-laudable in that the purpose of
the organization be to promote
social culture and community
of feeling amongst neighbors the
increase of the individual and ag-
gregate Intelligence of it's mem
bers, and through and together
with these, the promotion of the
success and financial prosperity of
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., in that
its purposes look not to the ag
grandizemenl of one class. nor to
the diversion of the energies and
thoughts Of it's members from the
promotion of the industry to pro-
pagandism Of political platforms
or the partisan elevation of its
own members to political office.
These diversions have destroyed
the usefulness of agricultural or
carnations in every civilized
country. If we will make a care
full, retrospective analysis of the
agncies of progress in the agricul-
tural industry Of this country, we
will find that nearly all substan-
tial progress may be traced TO the
work Of organizations, either vol
untary, State or Federal, while
the elevation to Office Of men who
show ability in the work of these
organizations is logical and nat
urai, when they are promoted on
their merit, and not as a partizan
either OF the organization or the
industry. 1t is simply the selec-
tion of the iittest on account of
knowledge Of such fitness acquired
by association and opportunity
hereby afforded for observation.
Even then the promotion should
not be on account of membership,
nor as member Of an industrial
organization, but simply as an in
telllgent, competent citizen.
The most efficient organization
we have ever known consists of
only twelve members - Just
enough to meet on the farm of
each member once every year.
The atmosphere of cities and
towns is especially unhealthy for
agricultural organizations of
every character. If the meetings
are held at the homes of the mem
bers the social feature is empha-
sized, the business is conducted
In an agricultural atmosphere un-
der the conservativ, influence of
the rural home; the expense of a
hall IN which to meet is dispensed
with. The assembling of ones
neighbors or his farm in an or
ganlzed capacity stimulates HIM
and his labors to the exercise of a
i"uu"pIS PiluS III having ROADS,
crops, stock, gates and fences in
condition for inspection. Each
member has opportunity of OBJ.
serving the methods and practice
OF every other member, and thus
each becomes at once a teacher
and a pupil.
There is one advantage in secret
organization which aid in attach
ing it's members to it, VIZ, the
principle in human nature which
gives to the possession of COM
mon secret, If it be only a pass
word, a wonderful cementing
power to bind the membership
into a brotherhood. We have
been member of both grange
and alliance, and recognize valu-
able features in both organiza-
tions, to which we bid most sin.
cere and hearty "God speed"
Let us have a revival in agri.
cultural organization in South
Carolina-it matters not under
what name. We need practical.