The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-07-30
THE PATRONS OF nUsBANDRx AND
TzhE TExAs AND PACIFIC Rail-
ROAD.


TzAE TExAs AND PACIFIC RAIE-
ROAD.
TExAs STATE GRANGE p. oR H.,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES RooN,
CALVERT, TExAs, July rs, 1874.
To the Order o. Patrons Of Hnsbandry:
The early completion Of the Texas Pa
cific Railroad being Of vital importance to
the rapid and complete development Of this
State, as well as the great country west Of
us, it IS very desirable that it should receive
additional assistance from the general gov
ernment Besides this, another line of
railroad would facilitate communication
with, and reduce rates Of fare and freight
to and from, the Pacific. This would bene-
TT the whole country, and particularly the
South. The Northern and Central lines
having been more literally assisted, it
would seem but common justice--to say
nothing Of policy-that this, the most IA
yorably located line, should be substantially
and promptly fOstered and encouraged IN
der properly guarded restrictions, aud most
certainly when less is asked, on better seeu-
rity.
In view Of these facts, the Executive
Committee of the Texas State Grange deem
it important that they should ask the CO
operation Of the various State Oranges in
presenting such a memorial TO Congress, at
its ensuing session, as will secure favorable
consideration aad prompt action.
As no proposed line Of transportation,
now being bniit, is Of more importance in
developing the resources OF the country,
they most respectfully submit that this
effort to secure the advantages already en-
joyed by other sections is an appropriate
matter for joint action, and is urged upon
the early attention of the brotherhood.
VIZ. w. LANG, Chairman.
n. A. THOMPSON,
A. B. KERR,
w. WARREN,
w. p. TOWNSEND,
Executive Com, Texas State Grange
1t gives US pleasure to publish the above
circular, which places the Patrons of Hus-
bandry in the light of progressionists, and
as the friends to internal improvements,
rather than a class, who, through prejudice,
would lock the wheels OF progress, and
keep Texas, by foolish war upon rail-
roads, behind in the present general march
of improvement. It has been feared,
though we have regarded this fear as
groundless, that the growth Of the Order
Of Patrons would give rise to antagonism
between a powerful class and corporate
companies engaged in the execution of in
ternal Improvements. But the object of
the Order is to advance and ameliorate
the condition of the farmers, and COM
mon sense would but dictate that the
most direct way to secure this nee
essary end is to encourage the apph-
cation of capital to the construction of i'm
provements of this character, and by every
conceivable inducement to build up great
competitions, which would of themselves
effect the objects named. If such be the
purposes of the Changers, then there will be
no dispute between them and political
party that intends to be led by motives of
purity and honesty. Political reforms are
needed. Every step we take in government
experience more clearly exemplifes this, and
If Democracy is but true to its tenets, it
contains all the elements of safety that
farmers, mechanics or any other class may
desire. If the Order will confne itself to
gradually and earnestly inducing the farmers
to become interested in the affairs of govern
ment, and in teaching them to beware of
the intrigues of demagogues aud corrupt
men, it will have perfected high mission.
What the Democratic party needs is to
purge its ranks of all bad men, drag from
their deceitful faces the mask that hides
their utter moral deformities, and place in
Office competent men, who are neither led
by corrupt ideas or malice, or who pass
Judgment for selfish ends or through vim
dictiveness. If the farmers viii learn to
exercise proper interest in such matters,
and assist us in the choice of such men,
they will at once recognize that the Demo
cratic party does throw around itself such
principles as arc safeguards to all classes of
citizens.
1t is gratifying to see thedevelopments of
the Order of Patrons demonstrated through
such official circulars as the above. It car
ries us back in our recollections couple
Of years, when Hon. John Ireland at
tempted to form legislative force to
''crush out the STATESMAN - because it OPP
posed him in his opposition to the ratifca-
ton of the constitutional amendments
authorizing the State to give aid to the
Texas Pacific in lands. His position then
was in favor of the ''yeomanry of Texas, "
t'the bone and sinew of the land, - and be-
hold now this very "bone and sinew" come
forward and declare in favor of public aid
for this great enterprise They indorse
the act of the State in giving assis-
tance to the Texas Pacific, and de-
sire to see more done for it by
the general government. This is right,
and as it should be, and We hope that
the Changers and all Others will make COM
mon cause in securing the completion of a
work which will be Of untold value to
Texas and the whole country. In this mat
ter the Changers are acting very wisely.
Let them preserve their order pure from
the tolls of political intrigue, and devote
themselves to the material growth and
prosperity OF the country, and We win
never be called upon to'speak in other than
the most respectful terms Of the Patrons OF
ITusbandry. The order, We acknowledge,
is composed Of the mud-sills of society, y
and II its purposes remain exalted-if de-
signing demagog1es are made to stand
back, and not prostitute its mission-then
future generations viii look back upon it in
admiration Of its successful benefits to
! society.