Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-02-18
rhc Grnnrer. and ThcIr platlorm.


On our last page we give an abstract Of
the platform Of principles adopted at the
st. Louis meeting Of the National Grange.
The positions taken upon the leading issues
Of the day seem emincntly sound, just, and
worthy Of general endorsement and this
conservative action Of the organization in
its supreme capacity certainly affords a
signal and well.timed rebuke to both hot
headed agrarians aud political demagoguos,
from which the movement has been in the
greatest danger.
Since the Inauguration Of this Grange
movement, its object and scope has ma
terially changed 10 many respects. Orig
inally started with a view to improve the
social, financial and educational condition
Of the agricultural producers, it has finally
laid hold Of other vital questions which dis
cussou aud investigation have brought to
the surface, but which had no place in the
original plan or purpose. There was IN.
deed much to do in lettering the social
position especially at the West, where
farms are large, and population sparse,
ne'essitating so much isolation among this
class as to make such life especially for
the women and children, irksome and dreary
in the extreme. Thea in buying and sell
ing, there had not been the unity Of pur-
pose which the interests Of the producer de-
manded But going deeper, and looking
farther, new questions presented themselves
which must be grappled with if they would
be true to their purpose. They saw corn
burned for fuel in the West, when it was
worth ninety cents bushcl in the Eastern
markets, and the demand almost unlimited
Hence their attention naturally and newt
ably turned towards the question Of trans.
portatiou, and discussions thereon have
come to form a leading feature Of the order
And so Of other equally important topics
While the National Council, as it will b,
seen, distinctly afiirms that it is not a po
ltica organization, and docs not contem
plate becoming such but on the contrary
political and religious topics arc excluded
from its dscussions-at the same time i
asserts the right aud duty Of the order to d,
its utmost to promote purity, honesty, in
tegrity and economy in all departments o
public life, both state and national The
also disclaim any antagonism to railroads o
canals, but announce a purpose to breal
down monopoly and extortion by encoura
ging competition, by legislation, and al
other just means.
The growth of this organization is re
markable and unprecedented Last yea
there were delegates from ouly nine State
at the National Convention. Now thirty
two States and two Territories we're repre-
sentod--there being no less than twely
thousand subordinate oranges, with a mi
= lion members, at this date.
One Of the last acts of the Conveutio
, was to exclude the Boston Grange from tn
association this Grange had been organ
lied by men engaged in active bushes
pursuits in Boston and vicinity. 1t
urged on one side that they are merchant
and middlemen on the other side it
claimed that they are also interested
agriculture" as that phrase is meant in Il
constitution Of the order. The Nations
: Grange decides, in effect, that its membe
i must be actively and not incidentally ii
: terested in the tlling of the soil