Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-12
Platform of the Grange Rs.

PROCLAMATION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE
The National Grange of the Patrons OF Hus-
andry at yesterdays session in St. Louis, pro-
claimed to the world the general objects and
imposes of the order TO be:-First. United by
Il e strong and faithful tie of agriculture, we
utually resolve to labor for the good of our
trder, our country, our mankind. Second. We
earthly endorse the motto, ain essentials uni
~; in non-essentias, liberty; in all things char
cause by laboring to accomplish the following
!biects;-Iv develop better and higher man.
Food and womanlc0d among ourselves; to en-
nance the comforts and attractions of our home
and strengthen our attachments to our pursuits;
to form mutual understanding and cooperation;
to maintain, inviolate, our laws; TO stimulate
each to labor; TO hasten the good time coming;
to reduce expenses, both individual and CO.
operative; to buy less and produce more in or
der to make our farms self -sustaining; to diver
sify our crops and crop no more than we can
cultivate; to condense the weight of our exports,
selling less IN the bushel and more on the hOof
ana in fleece; TO systematize our work and cal
culate intelligently on probabilities; TO dis
countenance the credit system, mortgage sys-
TEN, fashion system, and every other sys-
tenn tending to prodigslity and bankruptcy
Fourth. To bring producers and consumers and
farmers and manufacturers into the most direct
and friendly relations possible. We are opposed
to excessive salaries, high rates of interest and
exorbitsnt percentage profits in trade, as they
greatly increase our burdens and do not bear
the proper proportion TO the proper profits of
producers. We desire only SELF protection and
protection of every true interest afforded by
legitimate transactions, legitimate trade and
legitimate profits. Fifth. We emphatically and
sincerely assert the oft-repeated truth taught
in our organic law that the grange-national,
state, or subordinate-is not political or party
organization. Nc grange If true to its obligation
can discuss political Questions nor call political
conventions, nor nominate candidates nor even
discuss their merits In its meetings. Yet the
principles We teach underlie all true politics
and all true Craftsmanship, and IL properly
carried out viii tend TO purify the whole
political atmosphere Of cur country. Sixth.
Ours being peculiarly Q farmers institution,
we cannot admit all to our ranks; many
are excluded. Seventh. It shall be an abiding
principle with US to relieve any Of our OPP
pressed and suffering brotherhood BY any
means at our command. Last, but not least, we
proclaim IL among our purposes 10 incuicate
proper appreciation Of the abilities and sphere
Of woman, by admitting her TO membership
and position in our order. lmpioring continued
assistance of our Divine Master 70 guide us In
our work, we here pledge ourselves 10 faithful
and harmonious labor for al future time. to
return by our united efforts 70 the wisdom, jus
ice, frafeznity and political purity Of our fore
a memorial to the Patrons Of Husbsndrv In
the coffon states Vas also adopted. e Il ~ Ar
euwont In favor Of mixed husbaudrv IN fhe
Ssnth, tnstsad Of expanding the energies OF tie
people IN raising siDgie crops.