Year: 1878

desiring to define the precise objects Of the
Order OF Patrons OF Husbandry, and place
them before the membership Of the order
throughout the Union, do hereby set forth
the following propositions with our dis
tinct declaration Of purpose relating
thereto:


The industry upon which our order is
based is agriculture-the most important OF
all industries-the foundation and support
OF all otbers--the true basis OF all our ma
tional prosperity. We have observed the
condition Of our people, and viewed with
alarm the encroachments upon their natu-
raj rights. While agriculture is the chief
source OF all wealth, and therefore deserv-
ing Of At least equal recognition with other
vocations, it is deprived OF its just rewards
and oppressed by methods of law. It is
made to bear grievous burdens not its own
it is compelled TO pay taxes which an equi-
table distribution would place elsewhere;
it is forced by wicked combinations 10 SUBJ
NIT to hartful determinations against its
products both in transportation and in the
marts Of sale; its yotaries have been and
are now denied that consideration in public
affairs to which the magnitude and the iE.-
portance of their calling entitle them. The
laws Of the nation and Of the several States
are so framed as to divert from our great
industry the rewards which are the great
incentives TO toll, and an earnest remon-
STRANGE against their injustice spurned.


In view OF these truths We are bound in
defence OF our manhood to assert our rights,
and we therefore declare our unalterable
purpose to emancipate agriculture from the
burdens uniustly heaped upon If, and the
means by which we shall seek to secure the
desirable ends.


1. We shall strive earnestly, within and
without our order, to extend the benefits OF
education, which shall comprise knowledge
OF public affairs and the methods OF self
government.


2. We shall demand admission in the lc-
gislatures OF the several States, and in both
houses Of the National Congress, for repre-
sentatives OF agriculture chosen directly
from It's yotaries, as the only means Of re.
lief.


8. We shall accord to other industries all
the rights, privileges, and immunites,
which we claim for our own, and join with
their representatives in earnest cndeavors
to impress upon the Governments OF States
and nations habits OF wise economy and
irugalty rs essential to the thrift and pros
perity OF all the people.


4. We shall give constant care and atten-
ton to the public schools, in which the
youth of the nation are deeply interested,
limiting expenditures therefor only by their
usefulness, STRIVING always for that higher
and practicable enlightenment which should
become the distinguishing feature Of free
people.


After the above had been adopted the fol-
lowing was also presented and passed:


In accordance with, the above objects OF
our organization, and the methods by
which they are to be obtained, we pledge
our unyielding devotion to the work marked
out. We believe the principles enunclatcd
in our declaration are in full accord with the
highest welfare OF our country, and that
they deserve support, especially by all
farmers. The history OF agriculture on this
continent shows that no organization in its
behalf has ever been attempted without
direct effort on the part OF those who prey
upon its products to ncutrallze the work,
and the lessons Of the past establish the con-
viction that our only hope is in the full and
cordial cooperation Of farmers, wherever
/ located, to insure that success which IS
within their grasp.


We appeal, therefore, to good men and
women, whose interests are our own, to join
their efforts with ours, confident that with
their support we shall not wait long for the
consunmation Of our hopes. We appeal to
the agricultural journals Of the land, asking
their great influence in aid OF the above OBJ
jects as a potent means for the attainment
of q great object TO these forces and to
the intelligence OF our people we present
the purposes which animate many thousands
OF farmers in every State of our Union, and
revcrently trust in the direction OF the wise
Providence by whose decree we were made
tilIers OF the soil that our efforts may be re-
warded by the full accomplishment OF the
measures which. justice demands i'll the re-
lief OF an oppressed industry and the higher
enlightenment OF its votaries.