Middletown transcript., 1874-03-07
National Platform Of the Patrons Of
Husbandry.

Mo-, last mouth, the National Grange. r.
Of H unanimously adopted the following
resolutions a. an official epunciation Of the
general objects Of the Order:
Profoundly impressed with the truth
that the National Grange of the Uuited
States should definitely proclaim to the
world it's general objects. We hereby un-
aninously msks this declaration Of the
purpose Of the Patrons Of Husbapdry:
First. United by the strong and faith
ful tie Of agriculture, we mutuslly resolve
to labor for tho COED Of our order. our
country and mankind. tea 5,sy.,s ,s \
Second. We heartily endorse the senti-
ment, ''In essentials, unity in on-es-
seniinls, liberty; in all things. charity"
Third. We shall endeavor to advance
our cause by lsboring to accom- plish the
following objects; To develop . better
and higher manhood and wemanhood 3
mong ourselves to enhance the COM
forts and attractions Of our homes and
strengthen our attachments to our pur-
suits TO foster mutual understanding and
| cooperation; to maintain inviolate our
laws; to stimulate each other to labor
to hasten the good time coming; to re-
duce our expenses, both individual and
cooperative; to buy less and produce
more. in order TO make our farms selfsus-
tanning, to Diversity our crops and crop no
moro than We can cultivate; to condsnse
the weight of exports. selling less in the
bushel and more on the hoof and in the
| fleece TO systematize our work, and cal
culate intelIgently our probabilities; to
discountenance the credit system, mort
gage system. fashion system, and every
other system tending to prodigality aud
bankruptcy; we propose to act togbther
for our mutual protection and advance
ment Of the associations; we shall avoid liti-
CATION as much as possible by arbitration 3
we shall constantly strive to secure entire
harmony. good will aud brotherhood A.
mong ourselves; aud to make our order
perpetual, We shall earnestly ehdeavor To
suppress personal. local, sec'ionsl and na-
,ional prejudises, all unhealthy rivalry, all
selfish ambition. Faithful adheranoc to
these principles will insure our mental,
moral, social and material advancement.
Fourth. We desire to bring producers
and consumers, farmers and manufactur.
ers. into the most direct and friendly re.
lations possible hence We must dispense
with the surplus Of middIemen. We
wage no aggressive warfare against any
nther interests whatever; on the contrary
all our acts. and all our efforts. so far as
business is concerned, are not only for the
benefit Of produsers ana consumers, but
also for oil other interests that tend to
bring these two parties ipto speedy and
economical contact. Hence we hid that
trapsportation companies Of every kind are
necessary to our success that their inter
ests are intimately connected with Our in
terests. and harmonious action is mutually
advantageous, keeping in view the irst
sentence in our declaration Of principles Of
action. that individual happiness dsepsDs
our general prosperity. We shalt. there
fore, advocate fer every State increase IN
every practical way or all facilities for
transportation cheaply to the seaboard, DR.
between home producers and consumers,
all productions Of our country, We are
not enemies Of railroads. navigable and
irrigating canals, nor Of any corporation
that will advance our industrial interests,
nor Of any laboring classs In our noble
order there is no communism and, no
agrnrianism, We are opposed 10 such
spirit and management Of any corporation
or enterprise as tends to .oppress people
and rob them Of their just profits. We
are not enemies to capital, but we oppose
the tyranny Of monopolies We long to
see the antagonism between capital and
labor removed by common consent, and
by enlightened statcsmanship worthy Of
the nineteenth century. We are opposed
to excessive salaries. high rates Of interest
and exorbitant percentage or profits on
trade, as they greatly increase our bur-
dens and DO not bear q. proper proportion
to the profits Of the producers. H.d.i ne desire
only 'elf-protection, AID protection Of
every true interest Offered BY legitimate
prro6ts. We shs..; advance the cause oil
edue' 'tion among ourselves and for our
chi!uren, by all just means within our
power. We especially advocate for. ovr
agricultural and industrial colleges, that
practical agriculture, domestic science,
and all arts which adorn the home, be
| taught in their courses Of study,
Fifth. We especially and sincerely as
sert the oft-repeated truth taught 10 our or
ganic law that the. Grange, National,
State, or subordinate. is not politicsl or
party organization No Grange, IL true
to its obligations. can DISCUSS political Or
religious questions, ppr call political con
ventions. nor nominate candidates, nor.
even discuss the merits ip it's meetings
Yet the principles We teach nnderlie all I
true pclitics. all true statespanship, lind /
il properly carried out viii tend to purify |,
the whole political atmospheys p{ p1r
country For we seek the greatest good
to the greatest number. tHt We nl1st al.
ways bear in mind that pp pne, by -becom-
ing Patron Of Hustaadry, gives up the /
inalienabls right and duty which belongs \
to every American citizen, 10 take prob
er interest in the politics Of bis country. +
On the contrary, il IL right for every T
member to do all in his power Legitimate
ly to influence for good tha scti1H of any