Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-02-19

w iOAiS w oCC dllldSOlllSlH NC
tween capital and labor removed
by common consent, and by an
enlightened craftsmanship wor-
thy of the nineteenth century.
We are opposed TO excessive
salaries, high rates of interest,
and eXorbitant per ce!.t. profits
in trade; they greatly increase
our burdens, and do not bear a
proper proportion to the profits
Of producers. We desire only
self-p: election and the protcc-
ton Of every true interest of
our lard by legitimate transac-
tons, legitimate trade and legit-
innate profits. We shall adj
vance the cause of education
among ourselves and for our
children by all just means with
in our power. We especially
advocate for our agricultural
and industrial colleges that
practical agriculture, domestic
science, and al! the arts Which
adorn the homo be taught in
their cGIrse Of study.
3. We cmphatically and sim
cerely assert the oft-repeated
truth taught in our organic law:
that the Grange, National, State
or Subordinate, is not Il politi-
cal or party organization. No
Grange, if true to its Obliga-
ton, can discuss political or re-
ligiCus questions, nor call pO-
litical convention, nor nominate
candidates, nor even discuss
their merits in its meetings.
Yet tie principles we teach I'M
derlie all true politics, all true
craftsmanship, and if properly
carried out will tend to purify
the whole political atmosphere
Of our country, for we seek the
greatest good to the greatest
number; but we must always
bear in mind that 10 one, by be-
coming a Grange member, gives
up that inalienablc right and du-
ty which belongs to every a
mcrican citizen, to take Il prop
er interest in the politics of his
country. On the contrary, it
isIight for every member TO do
all in his power, le9itimately,
to influence for good the action
Of any political party to which
he belongs. 1t is his duty to
do all he can in his own party
to put down bribery, corruption
and trickery; to see that none
but competent, faithful and hon
est men, who will unfiinchingly
stand by our industrial interests,
are nominated for all positions
Of trust, and to have carried
out the principles which should
always characterize every
Grange member: that the Office
should seek the man, and not
the man the office. We ac-
knowledge the broad principle
that difference Of opinion is no
crime, and hold that progress
toward truth is made by differ
cncc Of opinion, while the fault
lies in bitterness of controver-
sy. We desire a proper equali-
ty, equity and fairness, protec-
ton for the weak, restraint up
on the strong. In short, justly
distributed burdens and Justly
distributed power. These are
American ideas, the very cs-
sencc Of American indepen-
aence, and to advocate the con-
trary is unworthy Of the sons
and daughters of an American
Republic. We cherish the be-
lief that scctionalism is, and of
light should be, dead and bur
ed with the past. Our work is
'or the present and the future.
In our agricultural brotherhood
md its purposes we shall recog-
lize no North, no South, no
East, no West. 1t is reserved
by every Patron as the right Of
| freeman to affiliate with any
party that will best carry out
lis principles.
6. Ours being peculiarly a
institution, we can not
admit all to our ranks. Many
re excluded by the nature Of /
,ur organization; not because
hey are professional men, or
artisans or labOrers, but be-
.ausc they have not a sufficient
lirect interest in tilling or pas
uring the soil, or may have
ome interest in conflict with
,ur purposes; but we appeal to
ii good citizens for their cor
hal cooperation to assist i'll
,ur efforts toward reform, that
We may eventually remove from
,ur midst the last vestige of