Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-07-11
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING. JULY II. 1874
THE PATRONS AND THEIR CAUSE.

1t appears from glance at our East
ern exchanges, that the farmers organ
ization is making very favorable progress
in some portions of the country, while
in others it is arraying conflicting in
terests into organized antagonism to it.
In Illinois the Independent Reform
Convention" held on the 10th ult., put
forth long platform embracing the
principles heretofore enunciated as the
cardinal doctrines on which the order is
founded, and declares it to be the duty
of its members to dissolve Allegiance
with either political party and attend
all conventions and elections in order
to select good men. We confess that
We cannot see how this task is to be &C
complished. If they renounce their
party fealty, by what right can they
claim admission to party convention
for the avowed purpose of controlling
its nominations of candidates for Office.
The idea that the Patrons are political
organization, in the modern acceptation
of the term, is denied by the order, yet
it is declared to be the bounden duty
of each member to " attend all conven-
tons and exercise controlling infu-
ence in them. If this policy is carried
into practical effect, it will he virtual
subordination of all other interests to
those of agriculture, and the mechanic
and artisan and laborer, who is just as
much interested in shaping the means
for the success of the great principles of
reform originally enunciated by the
Patrons, is debarred from all voice in
the matter. This course would be IN
Just and tyrannical, and lead, as we al
ready see indications of its doing, to
hostile attitude of an element which
should be in hearty sympathy with the
movement. A resolution, similar to
that adopted by the Indiana State Con-
vention, we believe would have been all
that prudence has suggested as basis
of political action: "to support the
most capable candidates regardless of
party nominations"
The order, in consequence of its rap
id progress and present extent, is already
becoming unwieldy. The conflicting
interests of its members menace unity
Of action, unless the greatest care is ex-
ercised in dealing with the important
questions which frequently arise. Its
only safety lies in keeping it true to the
principles of its organization, and unit
ing with, rather than attempting to
control those citizens who have it's creed
as much at heart as the order itself. As
an instance of the want of wisdom
manifested by individual oranges, and
the way in which they allow extraneous
matters to ruffle their temper and infu-
ence their official acts, we cite the policy
of Germania Grange of Lincoln, Ne
braska, the most powerful one in the
State, in reference to the whisky cru
sades. They publish series of resolu-
tions strongly condemning the ladies'
crusade, accusing the ladies of neglect
ing the duties of their families, refusing
an invitation to coalesce with them, and
accusing them of reviling God Almighty;
resolving that they look with contempt
upon their operations, and condemn
their manifestations; that while they
would gladly assist them in eradicating
drunkenness, they believe not drop Of
liquor less has been sold during the cru
SADIE than before, and that the Grange
considers it "an insult to be expected
by these crazy women to assist them in
their crazy efforts" While we agree in
the main with our German brethren, we
think the tone and temper of their res.
olution is in as bad taste, as the action
upon it was out of place in an organiza.
ton founded upon the broad principles
OF national reform. This course will
not fail of driving from their support
some who may agree with them on all
other questions than the one presented
in their indictment of the "crazy
women"
The Patrons have likewise determined
opposition from some of the churches
Probably the Reformed Presbyterians
have taken the most determined ground
AT the session of their Synod, recently
held in the city of Philadelphia, reso
luton was unanimously adopted " en-
phatically and unequivocally condemn
ing this and all other secret political
orders as ensnaring, deceptive and sinful
in themselves, as prejudicial to the best