Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-05-01
To 0HAy0IDS,

~ O1SAN NG0S.
We desire TO SAP something iu re-
gari &c the G,ansers true policy. We
think We have established ourselves
sufficiently in favor with members Of
tie order, to have them acknowledge
us in the category OF their friends. if
they shall pursue course in keeping
with the organic law Of the order.
We cannot be mistaken in the fact that
politics ia eschewed from the order BY
its constitution. Notwithstanding
this, strong evidences appear on the
part Of many Changers to control ii for
partisan purposes. II, however,
large majority Of the order shall nut
their feet upon this move and avoid
the shoals upon which such a course
would lead them. then shall they be
entitled to great credit therefor aud
receive our heartiest commendation.-
II however. the Grangc..shall drift into
a political organization, then while we
might give our heartiest approval of
many and even all its leading princi-
Piles, still we should feel bound to OPP
pose it as party with all our strength,
for the simple reason that il would
then be secret political organization.
Though young in years, in the days OF
the know-Nothing party, we thought
we saw that il would be ephemeraI in
its existence, and that it was entirely
at variance with republican govern.
mcnt ia its form of organization.
Time and experience has proven be-
yond controversy, that we were right
then, and as we stood aloof from the
know-Nothings In their day, so now
we should be obliged to and would
decline all connection with any other
secret political party of to-day or of
the future. Whenever it shall be the
rule that the political organizations OF
this country shall meet in secret coun-
ell, bound together by caths then will
the time have come that republican
in stitutions will exist only in name,
| without the substance. In times OF
peace, there can be no principles SO
dear to the patriot, no principles SO
good, that they will not be better
served by their public advocacy under
aparty banner, than in secret party,
aud while we might uphold the political
principles Of secret party, we shall
everbattle with all our might agaius,
its form of organization. The Hon
Z. +. Clarkson, very large farmer OF
Grundy county, Iowa, and a gentleman
of much ability and experience, him.
self Granger. sounds the alarm on
this subject in the following manner
which We quote. He says:
"If the political Changers are deter.
| mined to break away from their old
! political associati0ns--rush fashly over
| the constitution Of the Order--defy
The opposition TO secret political socie.
ties brave the opposition Of the old
established parties-enter into a fight
unequalled in yirulence by any contest
for years--tlrow their banner to the
breeze with one plank, inscribed with
| The names Of new and untried men,
| they will call down upon their heads
swift destruction, merited and timely
They will have but few old and accred.
tied stumpers to defend their banner
in the canvass-but few presses, If anv,
1 to defend their cause before the people
l but little means to meet the enor.
nous demands of spirited can vass-
with divided councils at home, and
with certain defeat In the future. Are
the Patrons prepared to meet this
| issue?
| They now have the cordial good will
and sympathy of all political parties
| These parties are ready to give the
| desired aid, when not bought up, O,
defeated by chicancry at the ballot box
! The Changers are now strong enough,
If they will adhere TO their old party
organizations, and will vigilautly
work therein, to control nearly every
| county in the State. When their
township caucuses are called, II they
are on hand and take an active part in
the proceedings. as they will have a
right to do. candidates can be selected
who have never bowed the knee 10
Baal. IT, however. they abandon that
party, they will have no right there.
and all the influence in favor OF the
farmers interest will be withdrawn,
and just such Legislature as the rail-
roads want will be elected for all time
to come. This would be suicidal in
the extreme. This would defeat all
the hopes of the struggling masses,
and their latter state would be worse
than the first.
We have seen in pamphlet form the
constitution of what is called the
PTotecEee Union. II is in the hands
of some Changers, as we are in formed.
and we learn they have slyly requested
parties to JOIN. II Is secret politi-
cal association of the worst FORM
The constitution provides for political
work, banding the members together
by an oath for that purpose; and fur
Their 1t provides that when peacable
means shall fail, hemp shall be used to
accomplish the ends sought. This
organization is infamous, and any
man. be he Granger OF otherwise, who
is seeking the organization of such an
order, is most dangerous citizen and
unworthy of confidence.
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