THE AGRICULTURAL WHEEL. 199 



product of their labor at greatly reduced prices, thus forcing patronage 

 and constituting a hateful monopoly, making free and independent men 

 slaves. 



OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. 



1. The objects of this order shall be to unite fraternally all accept- 1 

 able white males who are engaged in the occupation of farming, also 

 mechanics who are actually engaged in farming. 



2. To give all possible moral and material aid in its power to its 

 members, by holding instructive lectures, by encouraging each other in 

 business, and by assisting each other in obtaining employment. 



3. The improvement of its members in the theory and practice of 

 agriculture, and the dissemination of knowledge relative to rural and 

 farming affairs. 



4. To ameliorate the condition of farmers in every possible manner. 



PREAMBLE AS AMENDED. 



We believe, There is a God, the great Creator of all things, and that 

 He created all men free and equal, and endowed them with certain 

 inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and 

 that these rights are a common inheritance, and should be respected by 

 all mankind. 



We further believe, That any power or influence that tends to restrict 

 or circumscribe any class of our citizens in the free exercise of these 

 God-given rights and privileges, is detrimental to the best interests of a 

 free people. 



While it is an established fact that the laboring classes of mankind are 

 the real producers of wealth, we find that they are gradually becoming 

 oppressed by combination of capital, and the fruits of their toil absorbed 

 by a class who propose, not only to live on the labor of others, but to 

 speedily amass fortunes at their expense. 



This constitution and declaration of principles, together with 

 the usual by-laws, constituted the working plan of the initial 

 member of this organization. Little did these men know the 

 solid foundation upon which they built. Little did they realize 

 that their efforts in the line of reform, joined with others, would 

 in so short a space of time bring about the greatest organization 

 in the interest of agricultural freedom that the world has ever 

 seen. It is both just and proper to hand down to posterity their 



