Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-03-03
Spirit Of yctfuson.
ChaFlestown, Jefferson County, West Va.
TUESDAY EogNIXG. MARCH 8. 1874.
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY.
National Declaration of Principle.

Profoundly impressed with the truth that
the National Grange of the United States
should definitely proclaim to the world its
general objects, we hereby unanimously make
this declaration of the purposes of the patrons
of Husbandry:
First United by the strong and faithful
tie of agriculture We mutually resolve to labor
for the good OF our order, our country, and
mankind
Second We heartily endorse the senti>
ment: ''In essentials, unity in nou>essen-
tals, liberty in all things. charity"
Third. We shall endeaVor to advance our
cause by laboriug to accomplish the following
object: To develop better aud higher man
hood and wnmanhood among ourselves; TO
enhance the comforts and attractions of our
homes and strengthen our attachments to our
pursuits TO foster mutual understanding snd
cooperation to maintain inrioate our laws
to stimulate each other to labor to hasten the
good time coming to reduce our expenses,
both individual and cooperate; to bIy less and
produce more, in order to make our farms self
sustaining; diversity oar crops and crop no
more then we cultivate to conlonqe the
weight Of cx port, less in the bushel and more
on the hoof and in tho fleece; t. systematic
our work and calculate intellgcnt!y our
probabilities to discnuutcnance tho credit
system, mortgage system, fashion system, and
every other system tonding to prodigality and
bankruptcy ; We propose to act together for
our muiusl protection and advancement Of tho
association we shall avoid iitiaation as much
as possible By arbitration we shall constantly
strive to secure entire harmony, good will, and
brotherhood among ourselves, and TO make
our order perpetual we shall earnestly en>
doavoT to suppress personal. local. sectional,
and national proiudces, all unhealthy rivalry,
all selfish ambition. Faithful adherence to
these principles will insure our mental, moral,
social, and material advancement.
Fourth We desire to bring producers and
consumers. farmers aud manufacturers. into
the most direct aud friendly relations possible;
hence we must dispense with the surplus of
rliddleucp. We wage no aggressive war
fare against any other interests whatever :. Gu
the contrary, ri Our acts and MI our efforts,
Is far as business is concerned, are not only
for tho benefit Of producers and consumers,
but ais" far all other interests that tend to
bring these two parties into speedy and eco.
nnmicai tontact. IIonco we hold that traus>
p6rtstion companies Of every kind arc neces-
eary to our success thrt their interests are
intimately connected with our interests aud
Harmonious aoti"" il rcutnallv advantageous
keeping in view the first sentence in orr dec>
l"7atiou Gf principles of action. that individual
l,@ppincss dcepens general Pr0speritv.-
We shall therefore advocate for every State
Increase in every practicable way Of all IA
cititie5 for transporting cheaply to the sea-
beard or between home producers aud con-
suEcrs, ull productions Of cur country We
not enemies of railroads, navigablo aud
irrigating caua!s. nor of any corporations that
will advance onr industrial interests. nor of any
Il -. T.. I L. Al
communism and no aegrarianism. We are
opposed to srch spirit and management OF
any corporation or enterprise as tends to OPP
press people aud rob them of their just profits.
We are not enemies to capital, but we oppose
the tyranny of lnnnopoes, We long to see the
antagonism between capital and labor removed
by common consent and by enlightened states-
mansl;ip worthy of the nineteenth century,
We are opposed to excessive salariea, high
rates OF interest aud exhorbitant per centage
or profits on trade, as they greatly Increase
cur burdens and do not bear proper rropor-
tion to the profits of the producers We de-,
sire only self protection and protection of
every true interests offered by legitimate trade.
and Legitimate profits. We shall advance the
cause Of education among ourselves and for
our children by all Just means within our
power. We especially advocate for our aC-
riculturai and industrial college that practical
agriculture, domestic science, and all arts
which adorn the homo be taught in their
courses of study.
Fifth. We enphatically and sincerely as
sert the oft repeated truth fought in cur or
ganic law that the grange. national, Stste or
subordinate, ia not political or party organ
ization. No grange, if true TO its obligation,
discuss political religious questions,
nor call political conventions. nor nominate
candidates, nor discuss their merits in its
meeting. Yet the principles we teach under
lie oil true politics, all true craftsmanship,
and if properly carried out will tend TO purify
the whole political atmosphere of our coun>
try, for we seek the greatest good to the great
est number. But we must always bear it in
mind that one ky becoming grange mem
Der gives up that inGlienable right and duty
which belongs to every American citizen to
take proper interest in the politics Of his coun~
try. On the CONTRARY, it is right for every
member to do sli in his power legitima,ely to
influence for uond the action of any political
party to which he belongs.
Sixth. BY the nature of our organization.
it being peculiarly farmers Institution. we
cannot admit all to our ranks. Many arc
excluded, not because they are professional
men, or artisans, or iahorers, but because they
have not sufficiently direct interest in tilIing
or pasturiug the soil. or may have some in
terest in conflict with our purpose but We
appeal to all of our good citizens for their cor
dial cooperation to assist US in our efforts
toward reform, that may eventually remove
from our midst the last vestige of tyranny
and corruption.
Seventh 1t shall be an abiding principle
with US to relieve any of our oppressed and
suffering brotherhood by any means at our
command.
Last, bu.not least, We proclaim it among eur