The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-13
PLATFORM OF THE CHANGERS
Proclamation of the National crane

proclamation of the National Grange
The National Grange of the Patrons Of
Husbandry at yesterdays session in st.
Louis, proclaimed to the world the general
objects and purposes of the order to be
First. United by the strong and faithful tie
OF agriculture, we mutually resolve to
labor for the good of our order, our coun-
try, our mankind. Second. We heartily
endorse the motto, SIN essentials, unity !;
in non.essentials, liberty; in all things,
charity" Third. We shall endeavor to
advance our cause by laboring to accom-
plish the following objects: To de-
velop better and higher manhood and
womantood among ourselves; to enhance
the comforts and attractions Of our home
and strengthen our attachments to our pur-
suits; 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 cooperative; to buy
less and produce more in order to make
our farms self-sustaining; to diversity our
crops and crop no more than we can cult.
vate; to condense the weight Of our ex-
ports, selling less in the bushel and more
on the hoof and in fleece to systematic
our work and calculate intelligently on
probabilities to discountenance the
credit system. mortgage system, fashion
system, and every other system tending
to prodigality and bankruptcy. Fourth.
10 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 exorbitant per centage
profits in trade. as they greatly increase
our burdens and do not bear the proper
proportion to the proper profits of pro-
ducers. We desire only self.protection and
protection of every true interest afforded
by legitimate transactions, legitimate trade
and legitimate profits. Fifth. We amphat-
ically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated
truth taught in our organic law that the
grange-national, state or surbordinate-is
not political or party organization. No
grange, if true to its obligation, can discuss
political questions, nor call political con-
ventions, 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 if
carried out will tend to purify the
whole political atmosphere of our country.
Sixth. Ours being peculiarly farmers
we cannot admit all to our
ranks many are excluded. Seventh. 1t
shall be an abiding principle with US to
relieve any of our oppressed and suffering
brotherhood by any means at our COM
mand. Last, but not least, we proclaim it
among our purposes to inculcate proper
of the abilities and sphere
Of woman, by admitting her to membership
and position in our order. Imploring con-
tinued assistance of our Divine Master to !
guide US in our work, we here pledge our.
selves to faithful and harmonious labor for
all future time, to return by our united
efforts to the wisdom, justice. fraternity
and political purity of our forefathers.
A memorial to the Patrons Of Husband
~ in the cotton states was also adopted.
1t is an argument in favor of mixed hus-
bandry in the South, instead of expanding
The energies of the people in raising single
crops. -'.t.. 5,. g.