The Van Buren press., 1874-09-01
Ths Grange and Yssnsr,.
EDlroa v. B. Pans /:

EDiroR v. B. PREss:
The history Of the world shows tha,
all party combinations, and religious de.
nominations, in carrying out their pecul-
lar tenets are disposed to 60 into ex
tremes in the absence Of any checking OF
modifying element. In support of this
assertion, We have but to call the readers
attention to the history of the various re
religious and political organizations
throughout the world. The French revO-
luton, the early settlement of the New
England States. are examples Of COM
paratively recent date, and 90 to show
sufficiently for the purpose of this article,
what people will do when they organ
ize for the purpose of correcting some
real or imaginary evil.
Within the past year or so we have e
had organized throughout the United
States secret organization called the
Grange, the members Of which are com
posed almost entirely Of farmers. and
whose avOwed object seems to be re-.
form, generally in the politics Of this
country--oppostion to menopolies of
all kinds, and the elevation of the farmer
in his social and political status All of
which is good thing and very desirable
to all well wishers of our coun ry. But
the history Of their career so far, and
more especially in some portions of the
United States, wonll go to substan late
the doctrine first announced in this ar.
ticle. Instead of bringing reform in pol
tics their tendency is to preciptate
therein utter confusion-in their opposi-
ton to monopolies are likely to become
the greatest monopoly Of all moaopolies.
and in endeavorng to elevate their social
and political condition, are likely to do
so at the expense of utterly ignoring the
claims Of all those who follow other
callings. Coming down to our own
County, we see symptoms of this feeling
daily developing among farmers in their
political gatherings. We say symptoms,
for we think we discover in the minds of
some, opposition to this political exclu
siveness, and we trust that an entire ad
vocacy Of none but farmers are entitl d
to fill the offices Of County and State
will never develop itself in our midst
All sensible rejecting farmers cannot but
see that the world is made up of tie va
rious calinns and pursuits of the human
race, and that without them coaij not
exist There Is unity III diversity, and
Uice rersa Efeiy particle Of matter irol.
a grain Of san up Is composed of a Va
riety Of elements, and without it there
could be no existence Just so with the
social and political conduct Of the human
race--without this diversity Of pursuit
:he condition of man would be intolera-
BILE We therefore invite the farmer to
think of these questions and take more
liberal view of the matter. When we
speak of farmers we have reference more
particularly to those who call themselves
Grangers. The Grange movement con
ducted within due bounds, will no doubt
prove wholesome institution in our
land, but should it pervert and carry its
doctrines to extremes, it will be a curse
to the Nation. 1t will be of short dura
ton; and like all institutions that have
sprang into existence for the purpose of
reforming some evil, and in their turn be
come the greatest evil and thereby
wrought their own destruction will 20
down to posterity unlloaorcd and un
sung v JUSTIN.