Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-10-17
The ''Grangers."


headquarters of the National Grange of
the Patrons of Husbandry, on Louisiana
avenue, a few days since, and found there,
besides Colonel o, II. Kelley, the Secre-
tary, Mr.. Dudley W. Adams, of Iowa,
Master of the National Grange The io.
vial secretary introduced the Star man,
with the remark: "Now you've got the
head center of the Grangers; go for
for him!" The reporter of the Star staid
not upon the order of his going, but went
for him Sin manner as follows, to-wit;"
Reporter-Well, Mr.. Adams, your or
ganization is creating something of stir
in the political world. There seems to be
general impression that it will take
prominent part in politics; in fact, it ap-
pears to be taken for granted that it has
already figured in some very important
political movements.
Mr.. Adams-That is a popular misap-
prehension. We cannot, as Oranges, par
ticipate in any political movement, for the
reason that the constitution of the order
expressly prohibits the discussion of
either political or religious topics in the
oranges.
R.-Well, that is singular. The papers,
for months past, have contained accounts
of political meetings by the Grangers, and
have published resolutions adopted at such
gatherings.
Mr. A.-That may be, but in almost ev-
cry case such meetings were not held as
Grange meetings; and whenever oranges
have held meetings as such, their action
has invariably been repudiated by the
State Oranges,
R.-TheR | understand that members of
Oranges may participate in political move
ments, and that Changers, as they are com
monty called, may even go so far as to
'1-'v the ssIrICJTOu
OF any particular organization Of the Pa
irons of Husbandry.
MIR. A.-That's the idea. We are Just
like the Masons or Odd Fellows in respect
to religion or politics. They, as you
know, are at liberty to do just as they
please in regard to politics and religion
outside of the lodges, and i. is the same
with us.
R.-lt has been represented that the
Order has Democratic proclivities, and
those who assert this point to Iowa, where
the Anti Monopoly, or Democratic ticket
is supposed to be the one Grangers favor
Mr. A.-That is another misapprehen-
sion. In June, when the Republicans
held the State Convention, they adopted
the Anti-Monopoly platform, and one that
suited the Patrons to "T" When the
Democrats held their convention they
also adopted an Anti Monopoly platform
and called themselves "Anti-Monopolists )"
probably in the hope of roping in the
Changers.
R.-How will the Anti Monopolists
succeed; will the Patrons be deceived by
a name?
Mr.. A.-Many Patrons will vote the
Democratic ticket simply because they
n nd io
difference between the two platforms.
Both parties came down on their knees to
us, and would have come down still lower
If we had required them to do so. The
fact is, there is really no issue in Iowa.
R.-Then you think the Republicans
will carry the State as usual?
Mr.. A.-Undoubtedly. The most of
the Patrons are with the Republicans,
because the platform of the latter is all
that could be desired. BY the way, there
is plank in the Iowa Republican plat
form that | never saw in any other, of
either party. 1t is as follows (reading
from an Iowa paper:
ResOlUed, That we are desirous Of political re-
form, and for honesty, economy, and purity in all
official administration That to secure this is the
duty of every citizen that to this end every good
man should feel bound TO participate in politics.
and to make an end Of bad men forcing their cleo
tion by securing "A party nomination; and we de-
clare it the duty Of every Rpubcan to oppose the
election of a bad man and incompetent official,
whether he be candidate upon our own or any
other ticket.
This, as you see, is virtually ignoring
party, and adopting the pugilist's motto,
falr play, and may the best man win"
R.-But don't you thIuk InaJ Lng Oruer
should become, to some extent, political
organization, in order to bring about the
reforms it seeks to accomplish?
Mr.. A.-TO a certain extent, yes. But
1t would not do for us to lay down po-
litical platform for the whole organiza-
ton. Why, the question of free trade and
protection alone would divide us at once
R-Of the candidates ON the Iowa Re-
publican State ticket, how many are
Grangers?
Mr.. A.-Two: the candidate for Cover
nor and the candidate for Lieutenant Gov.
ernor. The Democratic ticket has, l be.
lieve, but one, and he is the candidate for
superintendent or Public Instruction.
R.-May | ask, Mr.. Adams, what your
politics are?
Mr.. Al have always been Repub-
lican.
R.-Our friend Kelley, here, tells me
he is Democrat.
Colonel Kelley--Yes, sir; am Dem
ocrat of the blacklist kind; dyed in the
wool. | used to write for Republican
paper once, but had to tell so many lies,
especially in regard to the acts Of such
men as Senator --, and had to bolster
up so many Republican schemes that
got sick of it and quit.
Mr.. A.-There! You see an illustra-
tion of the folly of our attempting to get
up political organization. Why, the
very fact that Colonel Akin, of South
Carolina, who was once arrested by Gov
ernor Scott for supposed connection with
the Ku-Klux, voted for me for Master of
the National Grange, shows that we ig-
more politics.
R.-A report has lately been published
that the National Grange would soon
issue a circular admonishing the Oranges
to have nothing to do with politics, Win
this be doneS