Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-06-20
REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION
Our Position.

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Our Position.
We have not supposed that any
more formal definition Of our atti-
tude toward the Grange organiza-
ton, and our opinion regarding
railroad legislation, than that atfor-
ded by our columns from week to
week would be necessary. But
quite a number of friends among
the Changers inform us that certain
parties are insiduously circulating
among the farmers the story that
the BULLETIN is unfriendly to both.
Those friends, knowing this to
be false, have requested us to
pntradict it. In compliance with
This request, we take this occasion
to clearly define our position.
First, we regard the Grange, IN
its realization of the ideas of Or
ganization and cooperation among
farmers, its promotion of social in
tcrcourse and friendship, its stimu-
lation of their desire for knowledge,
and the defence which it will afford
them against the encroachments OF
capital, as an institution of incalcu-
liable benefit to them, and through
them the community in general. Its
beneficial influences are already
seen in the intelligent efforts which
farmers are making for the improve
ment of their condition. They are
adopting better methods of bust
ness; extravagent credit is stunned,
and wise and prudent economy
n the management of their affairs
S substituted for the recklessness
which characterized them year or
Two since. Many farmers have
adopted, and are earnestly endeav-
bring to live up to the maxim ''Pay
rs you CO., a sentiment which has
n it solution for nearly all their
difficulties. All this is at
Eributable in a greater or less de-
gree to the influence and teachings
If the Grange; and if it should &C.
,omplish nothing else than the
emancipation of the farmer from
he pernicious system Of reckless
credit, its value to him and the COM
nunity cannot be computed. We
believe that its greatest and best
mission lies in this direction, and
hat any attempt to use it for po-
itical purpose would impair its
lsefulness, edestroy its harmony,
md lead directly to its decay.
Neither do, we believe that such
aversion Iof the Grange from it's
vowed mission is at all necessary.
he farmers constitute the majority
6 both the existing political organ
anizations, and have power
trough their agency to effect all
he Governmental reform desired,
While We thus recognize all the
enefits and capabilities for good
the Grange, we still realize that
is not perfect; nor is its member
hip by any means infallible, Or in
very case imbued with honest pur-
oses. There is necessarily in the
orkings of an institution which
ps so suddenly arisen to power
I'D prominence, great deal Of
rudeness of opinion, and tenden-
to impulsive and immature
;tion. 1t is peculiarly the prey Of
lfseeking demagogues, who will
vor and flatter that they may more
fectually use its power for their
elfsh ends. This is true of the
range, and we hold that journal
B best friend, that with honest and
iendly intent, and sincere desire
r its success, seeks to save it from
ror and inconsistency by candid,
arless criticism when it goes
rong. That position the BULLE-
n seeks to occupy and no other.
Regarding legislation to control
ilroads and abate their abuses, we
bid to no man in Iowa, Granger or
herwise; either in the earnestness
our convictions on that subject,
the priority of their uttcrance.
ON the days Of the "Doud
nendment" until now, we have un-
mpromizingly held to the doctrine
1t it is the right and duty of the
ate to legislate upon railroads.
lille publishing a paper in an,
ler county we stood among the
" newspaper men of the third dis
ct who opposed the effort to get
extra session to repeal the Doud
nendment; which asserted the
sht of such legislation in the case
the Iowa Falls & Sioux City, and
) McGregor Western railroads.
e files of the BULLETIN will tes-
that it has ever upheld the cause
the people against the oppres-
is and abuses Of the railroads. 1t
h this before the idea of the
|apge was conceived in the mind
anybody, and it will continue to
co until iustice and equity is as