Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-09-05
Address of the Executive Committee
Of the State Grange of Wisconsin.

Developed by the exigencies Of the tihes various
organizations have gtown up OF late among the
farmers OF me country, partaking mostly OF re,
! TO political action as the means of accomplishing
| desired results Along with them there seems 10
| DC a tendency by the public at large to confound
the formation, objects and designs of which are Of
an essentially different character. We also appre-
mend that, from want of proper and correct in
| formation, or from hope of accomplishing their
ends, designing persons may seek admission within
the Order with the intent of endeavoring to COM
init the organization TO some line OF political ac.
uon. Fer the purpose of correcting public opin-
ion, and to prevent any msconcephon as TO the
real objects and purposes of the Order; also, to
warn the class of persons alluded to, and thereby
save the Order n great deal of vexaton and trou-
Bile, we deem 1t advisable at this time to make the
following statement to our fellow-ctizens of Wis
consin
The Order was started in 1867, with the special
objects in view Of elevatng farmers as class and
farming an occupation. The form of organiza.
tion provides for the admission of both sexes to
membership. 1t was designed a medium for
more social Intercourse, to provide a refuge for
ture OF constant and nOn-intcrmtting toll, thus
creating within the sphere of active farming life
much-needed sources of rational recreative enjoy
ment.
1t was designed with a view to general educa-
donal and instructive purposes. by establishing
within the Grange reading-rOoms and libraries and
Tor the delivery Of popular lectures. 1t was de-
signed as medium for frequent consultations and
discussions upon matters pertaining to the occupa-
lOn lts members were engaged III, ana upon all
business relations connected with it, thus aording
opportunities for the same united action CONNER
cially constantly practced by other occupations,
and which had not heretofore been taken advan-
tage OF by the craft, at the same time correcting
the abuses of an erciuSiUe territorial agency SyS-
TEN which had grown into proportions felt to be
oppressive.
These were some Of the means contemplated by
the provisions of the organization to help farmers
as class to work their way to position at least
upon level with others, If it did not win ''the
| lead"
| 1t is believed that no paternal organization oc-
cupies situation so comprehensive in Its scope,
| or which offers such material benefit to Its mem
| bers. With elevated social and educational fea-
| lures 1t combines that OF business cooperation,
| the growing extent and magnitude OF which, as
now indicated, no adequate conception had here
| tofore been entertained. What field for benef-
cent human effort here presents itself to view!
@ OF he orSsr Is f1 to s proTsons H
hency that we must look with hope for ultimate
success in elevating the craft. Obviously to ac-
complish the objects OF the Order peyHadneHcy Is
| Indispensable To secure permanency the only
elements which might lead to internal disscnsion
and consequent disintegration specially pro-
vided against by the founders of the Order, In the
restrictive provisions of Article IL of the Consti-
| tuition, tO-wit:
Religious or political questions will not be tol-
Grated as subjects of discussion in the work Of the
Order, and no political or religious tests for mem
| bership shall he applied"
| There is no mistaking the spirit and intent of
| this provision. The Order OF "The Patrons Of
Husbardryn contemplates for itself field OF
Il
ton, and one which will tax its working abilities
| to the fullest extent.
The Order was expected to- and does include
men Of all political opinions; il to be expected
| that with the advent of time questions OF public
| policy would constantly arise aud demand the at
tentiOn of members; while imperative restrictions
for preserving the integrity Of the Order were en-
bodied in its organic law yet independent intelli-
| gent political action "outside the gate" was ex-
pected from the members individually as good cit.
| iZens, taking Il practical interest in the general
welfare Indeed, as there arise questions exciting
public attention generally but in the just and equi
table solution of which, farmers as class, have
direct and absorbing interest, il would seem want
ing in proper appreciation of our duty citizens
and farmers, not 10 throw our influence in such d
| recuOn as would best seem TO correct the abuses
| complained of. We not unmindful that the
| sympathies of our members are with those efforts
! at organization having in view the restraining by
political action the oppressive power of capital.
power which, by the means of cunningly devised
| combinations and corrupt laws, posed at its bid
| ding through venal representatives, has reduced
| the producing classes to a condition approaching
that not inaptly and tauntingly termed white sla
very" power which silently but surely appropri
ates TO itself large moety of the products of tina
toll, the enjoyment of the whole of which is among
| these inaenable natural rights with which al
men are endowed by their Creator.
These and many other abuses and complaints are
among those enumerated and complained of by
associations formed for the express purpose of
recting them by political action. To all tbes,
| movements are extended the warmest sympathes
of all true patrons OF Husbandry;" nay, more
their active participation individually citizens
|
| yentions, unions, any or all organizations which
| are politically reformatOry, but not as members OF
| the Grange. The Order does not deny the necessi
ty Of these associations to correct by political ac
ton many great wrongs" The potency Of tn,
means is admitted. These wrongs are to be cor
rected by popular political power, by substituting
representatives OF the integrity of the people fo
| representatives of the corruption of the people, by
| the election of men whose lives and actions will
reflect honor upon the positions in which they ar,
placed, and not shameful humiliation upon thei
| country and constituents There is no restriction
placed upon members Of the Order TO prevent thei
joining these associations; on the contrary, the!
| naturally anord opportunities which the Oranges
do not. They are regarded as the oulgrOwth Of
want never provided for by the Grange, and neye
| intended 10 be provided for by it.
| Profoundly impressed that the Order OF iii,
| Patrons OF Husbandry" Is pregnant with bless
ings to the class for whose benefit II was instut
ed, that the specific ends and objects sought 10 b,
| attained by the Order are comprehensive tina
their realization demands all the time, energy anC
devotion that can be brought to bear through on
| organization, we here express our determination
to maintain the Order in its integrity as a non
political organization, to resist and expose ever!
attempt TO inyeigle the Order into apparent collu
sion with movements to form political par tiei
or to support resuscitate old ones TO visit will
prompt expulsion and the lasting condemnation o
the order any member 30 lost TO honor as to lent
| himself to such measures.
While thus setting forth the position Of the Or
der as to its sphere of action, we are not unmind
fnl OF the rapid progress made by ideas which, re
sulting for the time in popular demonstration
against special hagrant excesses OF combined cap
ital, have for their remote cause and foundation
those deeper convictions which have gradually dc
yeloped themselves among the people everywhere
and which are the fountain from which the pro
| gressiye intelligence Of labor il CONSTANT,
spnnging and pressing for solution ques
tons involving inplenable natural rights, and de
handing that such relations shall be established
among men as VIII cause "a more equitable distrl
| button OF the profits OF labor" Being a Droducine
class, IL would be paradOxeal to presume that M,
pulse OF the intelligent American farmer did no
beat in sympathy with the spirit OF inquiry abroat
among the laboring classes, string up new vein
OF Thought upon human rights, and Awakening /
desire for the administration Of governments NOR,
In accordance with purpose TO secure these rght
and the ends for which governments are instituted
among men. Allgood Patrons of Husbandry be
| ing IN harmony with these views, we trust there
| can hereafter be no doubt as to the direction m,
influence OF members Of the Order in Wisconsin
VIII be thrown "outside the gate" upon questions
mits. - - w.