The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-03
PLATFORM OF CHANGERS.

-reT The National Grange have adopted
and published an admirable declaration OF
principles, as the foundations and platform
of the order, which exhibits its aims and
operations, as follows: .a., a,rl..
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 purposes of the
Patrons of Husbandry. r ,
.ai L. United by the stroag and faithfuktie
of Agriculture, we mutually resolve to
labor for the good Of our Order, our coun-
try and mankind. -..... asr.T
2. We heartily endorse the motto: "In
essentials, Unity non. essentials, Liberty
in all things, Charity. g..-f
3. We shall endeayor TO advance our
cause by laboring to accomplish the follow
ing objects:
10 develop a better and higher manhood
and womanhood among ourselves. g
gEI To enhance the comforts and attractions
Iof our homes, and strengthen our attach
EInents to our pursuits. 81. III q
ITO foster mutual understanding and CO.
operation. .lraas -.
To maintain nviolate our laws, and to
emulate each other in labor to hasten the
good time coming. d.. .....ga ..t
~ua To reduce our expenses both individual
0 and corporate. r. .... ..n . a..lEu.f
tsaFTo bay less and produce more, in order
to make our farms s~elf-sustaining. Fsl.l
ta.s1o diversity our crops, and crop no more
than we can cultivate. .aEl .0a ..g.. g2. .
.r TO condeuse the weight of our exports,
selling less in the buShel and more on hoot
and in fleece. . .al-a gT. 3
To systematic our work and calculate
intelligently on probabilities. ..
..I To ~discountenance the credit system, the
mortgage system, the fashion system, and
every other system tending to ~prodigality
and bankruptcy. '.a'fsaf
r We propose meeting together, talking,
together, working together, buying to-
gether, selling together, and in general,
acting together for our mutual protection
and advancement, as occasion may require.
We shall avoid litigation as much as pos
.sible, by arbitration IN the Grange.
We shall constantly strive to secure
entire harmony, good will, vital brother
hood among ourselves, and to make our
order perpetual.
We shall earnestly endeayor to suppress
personal, local, sectional and national
preiudices, all unhealthy rivalry, all selfish
ambition.
Faithful adherence to these principle,
will insure our mental, moral social ant
material advancement.
.''. 4. For our business interests.we desir'
to bring producers and consum ers, farmer
and manufacturers into most direct an
friendly relations possible. Hence we mus
dispense with a surplus of middlemen, no
that We are unfriendly to them, but we d
not need them.
Their surplus and their exactions dimin
ish our profits.
b. q We wage no aggressive warfare agains
any other interests whatever. On the cor
trary, all our acts and all our efforts, so ia
n"' as business is concerned, are not only fo
the benefit of the producer and consumes
but also for all other interests that tend
bring these two parties into speedy an
economical contact. Hence we hold th'
n Transportation companies of every kind al
necessary to our success. that their interes
are intimately connected with our interest
and harmonious action is mutually adyaI
l"' ~tageous. Keeping in view the first senten'
"i in our declaration of principles ofactit
that "Iudiyidual happiness depends upe
general prosperity.
We shall, therefore, advocate for eve
state the increase in every practicable wa
of all facilities for transporting cheaply
~ Inc SeaDOaru, OF DetWeeH hulHo piouuce
and consumers, all the productions of o
country. We adoptit as our fixed purpo
to s'open out the channels in natures gre
arteries that the life-blood of CONNER
may flow freely"
We are not enemies of railroads, nayig
BILE and irrigating canals, nor any corr
''8 rations that will advance our industrial
~terests, nor of any laboring classes. ss
do In our noble order there is no commit
ism, no agrarianism. 20 omen
We are opposed to such spirit and mi
'' agement of any corporation or enterpri
as tends to Cypress the people and !
them Of their just profits. '.a alaL ,.
We are not enemies to capital, but
oppose the tyranny Of ~monopolies.
We long to see the antagonism betw'
capital and labor removed by common c
sent, and by an enlightened statesmans
worthy Of the nineteenth century.
We are opposed to excessive salari
high rates of interest, and exorbitant