The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-18
1.-THE GRANGEs'-"A query
The Pulaski Virginia People asks:

y
The Pulaski Virginia People asks:
.'How is it that The STATE JOURNAL.
/ strong advocate of a protective tariff
md leading Republican paper of the state,
IS the organ Of the Changers, and the New
York w orld, a leading Democratic organ,
whose motto is, Free Trade and Farmers
Rights, also grinds music for the same
order? Tell us how it is MR.. JOUR-
NAL" .--
So we will, for the explanation is not
difficult. First, however, we will say,
that we are not the organ of the Changers
or anything else in such sense. as to be
exclusively or blindly devoted to it. THE
JOURNAL seeks to advance the interests
Of the whole people, and especially those
we live amongst. We advocate what we
believe to be right and conducive to the
benefit of the great mass of our fellow citi-
zens. Our able contemporary, the Richmond
Enquirer, is quite as decided friend Of
the Oranges as we are, as its con-
slant editorial approval of them wit
nesses, yet ace are opposed in politics.
Among people, as we find them. there
are many points of difference, but there is
large ground Of common interests, opin-
ions and sympathies. Weil-balanced
minds are capable of discriminating be-
tween these, both in theory and practice.
A man of intelligence, who has any proper
sense of his duty to his family and his
country, will not allow his opinions or as
socations in any one matter to influence
his action in another. He will not refuse
associated action in case involving great
and sacred interests with those from
whom he differs widely on other questions.
A large share of our fellow-citizens believe
in the Importance of religious organizations.
We find churches of various denomina-
tions-Jews. Methodists, Baptists, Pres
byterians, Catholics, Unitarians, univer
salists, Swedenborgians- worshipping
God in their own way, and in the
main pious and good people.
But these persons hold other relations
with their fellows than in the church.
Their interests require political action, and
forthwith we find representatives Of al
sacts in each political party holly opposed
to each other. They are called upon tc
transact business for various purposes, and
contests arise in which members Of the
same church find themselves opposed te
each other and agreeing with members o
other churches. This is natural and truth
ful. and cultivates mutual tolerance ant
forbearance.
This much to illustrate the genera
principle which controls our action in thu
complex relations of life. Now, applying
it. we may in turn ask how it is that GU
Baptist friends, who believe that the rit
of baptism is total immersion in tn
water, and our Presbyterian friend
who are satisfied with lille aoate
sprinkled on the head. both vote tn
Conservative ticket together in Virginia
How is 1t that the Richmond Dspatc
and The Enquirer both pre-eminently Con
sentative papers, and usually agreeing
differ upon the policy of the Petersburg
charter? How is it that everywhere "
see men agreeing in religion and differinl
in politics agreeing in politics and differ
ing upon various social questions? Be
cause all recognize and labor to advance
those great common interests which belonl
to humanity. The Grange propose
certain objects involving the interests
of all farmers and intimately relate'
to the well being of the whole community
No man can read its platform as pub
lished without finding in it much to ap
prove. Whatever his opinions upon FIRE
trade or protection, he cannot fail to or
prove of the effort to elevate and dignif
agriculture, beautify the homes of tn
people, increase the profits of farmers, an
make rural life brighter and more joyous
by innocent and delightful social inter
course.
This is the work of The Grange. W
do not profess to be its organ although W
have been its steadlast friend from tn
first, because we thought it contained tn
seeds OF great and benefcent change il
the condition OF our rural population. w
are bound TO believe that the New Yor
World widely differing as we do from it j
politics. has seen in it some promise Q
good, and so supports it. The Grange is n
more political than the church. 1t receive
all who cultivate the soil and love the no
BILE art by which our first parents and 8
many Of their children have sought, an
are still seeking, livelihood. Iii nj
more likely to become political organi
cation than the order of the Knights {
Pythias, the Free Masons, or any mutua
insurance company. Its aims and purpose
are as wholly distinct from politics, and S
we find men Of all parties and sects uni
ing with i and cooperating for the further
ance OF its grand aims.
If The Virginia People will read car
fully the Declaration of Principles of ii
National Grange, which we keep standir
in our paper for the public information,
will see nothing about Free Trade" {
nprotaof;on - Tho Granoar. a ra On nnnf