The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-15
The report was adopted, there being but
three dissenting votes.
Mr.. Higgins submitted the following res
The Grangers and the Farmers.

The State Convention of the Oranges of
Illinois begun its session at Bloomington on
Wednesday The number of oranges in
this State is now 500, and additional ones
are forming every day. Nearly 700 dele
gates were present There is a general
misrepresentation, especially in the Eastern
States, as TO the purposes and objects
sought by the Oranges, and as general a
mistake in coniounding the Oranges with
the State Farmers Association, The two
organizations are widely distinct The
Grange is a secret Order, having, like the
Masons and other orders, a national State,
and local organization. By the express let
ter OF the Constitution, Oranges are pro-
hiblted from taking part in politics the
members are OF all shades of party and,
both sexes, and the objects of the Orr. err
$50 far as they are kuown) could not be at
tanned it membership was controlled bv
political opinions. But, while the Order
excludes politics from the Grange, lat the
same time lin the words of Grand Master
Smedley, of Iowa. intelligent political
action outside the gate is expected from
the members Individually, as good citizens.
taking personal and practical interest in
the general welfare.
The declared objects of the Order are to
promote the social, intellectual, and pecup-
lary Interests OF the members, and mem.
bership Is open TO none but farmers, or
those whose interests are identified with
farmers. Its aims are said 10 be to encOur-
age and promote n greater social union
among all those engaged in the same in
dustry, by bringing them and their fam-
lies tigether under circumstances Of a-
elevating and refining character. A. "a
object is the furnishing of meap~ ..other
ing rooms and libraries, for = >. by read
prOvement, instruction Intellectual i'm
third and more def and recreation. A
ON purchases oF ..Ilte purpose is to unite
these purct things needed by farmers
the CO. ..ases to be made somewhat il
dir operative style, in large quantities
.ectly from the manufacturers and pro
ducers. This is carried Gu through tin
agency of the Grange, whereby the profit
and expenses of intermediate dealers arr
saved, and the Changers obtain what the!
need at the manufacturers prices. Their,
are some other objects, incidental To these
which are sought by the Order, and whicl
have been successfully carried out. 1t vii
be seen that the Patrons OF Husbandry
are, therefore not a political organization
however much, OF however little the mem
gers may agree upon political questions
In Illinois there is aState Farmers As
ISOLATION, and various other smaller organ
cations under different names, all having
the common purpose OF accomplishing tn
overthrow Of monopoly and special priv
leges, A convention of this Association
will he held at Decatur on the 10th of thi
month. 1t will take definite action IN form
ing distinct political party, not confne,
10 farmers exclusively, but embracing q
other persons who are ready to unite in tn
general opposition to monopoly. At tn
late election in this State, the farmers |,
cal organizations nominated candidates 10
county Offices, and while they are genera
" successful, they could not ia
To notice the zeal and energ
with which Democrats in Republics
counties supported Republican tickets, an
Republicans in Democratic counties SUI
ported Democratic tickets in aeommo
struggle to maintain the old party organ
cations against the rising party of reform
Had the RefUrmers in Illintis but know
their real strength. they could have mad
clean sweep Of all the local Offices; AZ
is, they have now gained the knowleds
that party OF this kind, with an organic
ton broad enough 10 include all who agr,
with their general purposes and aims, vi
command the support Of majority Of Il
people Of this State Such party will u
d9ubtedly be formed at Decatur-oi
which will, during 1874, prosecute vigu
Gus campaign for the election of Sta
Legislature aud members Of Congress
Salary-grapers at Washington, who a
splitting hairs as to how much of the mo
ey they tuck last year and b,w n,i,eh al,
be restored 80 the Treasury, may as W,
recognize III TINS new organization, viii