The Grange advance., 1874-11-18
Politics..

Since the starting Of this paper we
have adhered to the principle of free
and independent expression of political
opinions. We have neither sought the
up-bui]ding of one or the overthrow of
the other party as such, but we have
sought to arouse the people, whatever
the shade Of their political faith, to
come forward and in every proper man
ner to exert their political influence to
the overthrow Of the horde of petty cor
rupt politicians who rush to the front
and strive to secure the control of
whichever party they consider as hav-
ing the best show for victory. For the
overthrow Of corruption and the secur-
ing of good men for Office we have ad-
vised the people to combine; further
than this we have not gone. On this
ground we propose to stand, and if any
body is hit he will have to howl, but
we wish to have it understood that we
never propose to dictate to any man. or
to any class of men: his or their politi-
cal course of action, nor to pledge our
selves to vote or act with any particular
party organization. While occupying
these grounds We claim as much liberty
to speak on political questions, at least,
as is exercised by the religious and de-
nominational press Of the country.
And feeling in mood to further ex.
press our sentiments on the results Of
the recent elections in the Eastern
States, and believing that we cannot
better do so than in the words of an ed
itorial appearing in the last number of
The Northeastern Christian .Advocote,
Of Chicago, one Of the most ably edited
religious newspapers of the United
States, as we'll as being one having the
widest circulation, We reprint the fol-
lowing extract from the same. We are
also induced to make this extract from
the further reason that the editor of the
paper, as well as denomination to which
he and the paper belongs, has acted with
the lately dominant Republican party,
and because the head Of the present ad-
ministration has affiliated with the same
Methodist denomination, so that the pa
per can certainly not be charged as
speaking from prejudice, Or otherwise
than with the utmost caodor. In
speaking Of the elections the editor says:
The result is more properly An " Opposi-
ton victory or, more specifically stiu,
proof that something always above party
The Peeple-are opposed to some things in
the lately y-dominant party. It is absurd to
claim that new race Of thinking voters,
distinct from and opposed to tho measures
OF the Republican party, Of, say, 1864, has
arisen, and that this new race has outvoted
thestill-compacted ranks Of that party which
"saved the Union" It is equally absurd
TO sey that the measures and principles Of
tie new-defeated party are the same -
they were when it won in 1868, and that
the voters Of that party have abandoned
the opinions which they voted in 1854 and
=, 1t is far more accurate to say that 81 the
people now, as then, are true, intelligent
and alert, and that the Republican party
has changed wonderfully from what it wes
ton years ago. It no longer avails to whine
that "the Republican party saved the
Union; is yet thefoe Of those Who opposed
the war and, though defective, is the best
party now in the 6eld.'' It NAV be The
best existing party, but it is Il from beinr
the best possible one. If party n,anaoers
are all; Vparty o0see-holders are al: If Dar-
ty tactics are az, tie reverse last week ,oaf la-
nseatable; but, really, since parties are bvt
the peoples lpolit;eal garments, and since the
people wAo first ordained the Republican partv.
sohieh they haze 80 long sustained, can 1o,c 40
to ,cork and ordain another party, ~ are
qt,ite cheerful IN tie face Of the recent esct;on
and ealmly contemplate the dposite Of tie eher.
sisAed Old party name u tie sxssa.sn Of polt;eal
stses, y sSeh deposit ssems bsst to Ne people.
y Pohtics are = dsvslopaent, and We listen
AaE Il for 9 the pfoyidsntial word That shall IN