Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-13
AN ABIDING PRINCIPLE OF THE
GRANGE.

The following is an editorial from
the Charlotte On. c. Observer, Of
the 18th ult:
''One of the most beautiful features
in the Grange is the fellowship and
brotherly feeling that it develops
among its members 1t strengthens
the bonds of friendship, and brings
neighbors and farmers generally into
close bonds of union, which results in
mutual aid and mutual pleasure and
improvement. Anything that tends to
foster charity and sympathetic kind
ness, and brighten the mystic chains
that bind heartand heart is blessing.
Prominent among the objects of the
Patrons of Husbandry is the develop
ment and cultivation of fraternal har-
mony. Its platform inculcates the
doctrine of Charity, in these words:
1t shall be an abiding principle with US
to relieve any of our oppressed and
suffering brotherhood, by any means
at our command.
But acts speak louder than words.
Mems mere professions are worth but
little. When we see men doing what
they say they will DO. we become con-
WINGED of their sincerity. The proof
of the pudding is chewing the bag" is
wise old adage. The proof of sin
cerity is the acting up to our declara-
tions or resolves. Where it IS impos-
sible for a mau to comply with his
promise he is excusable. of course.
An incident occurred out West some
weeks ago, which oughtto be treasured
up in memOrys storehouse by every
Granger rim ChristendOm, as noble les
son in that pratical charity which the
st. Louis Platform inculcates. 1t was
about the middle of February that an
Indiana Granger, Mr.. Hale, of Marion
county, had his house and his entire
stock of provisions for the year. burn
ed, together with his farming imple-
ments. He was a very poor man, with
no means wherewith 10 repair his loss;
but heposSesseG a treasure in his MEM
bership IN a society that is rich in the
milk of human kindness, and bows in
recognition ofthe Divine Master. The
ashes of the unlucky Changers dwell
ing were hardly cold, before the Pa
irons Of the vicinity had commenced
to build him a new house, which they
finished in a maryellously short time.
Acts like this are calculated to con-
vert the sheer of an enemy of the Or
der in the smile of approval. The
Grange means well. While cultivat
ing the virtues, dispensing charity, and
strengthing the bonds of good fellow
ship among its membership among its
members, it wages no aggressive war
fare against any other interest what
ever but on the contrary, as declared
at st. Louis, all its efforts. so far as
business is concerned, are not only for
the benefit of producers and consul
mers, but, also for other interests
that tend to bring these parties into
speedy and economical contact"
Let the Patrons of Husbandry abide
byall the great principles it ununicated
at St. Louis, and it will continue to
grow until it spreads over the whole
country and axes in every farmer.
But let it once go into politics as an
organization, and it will die like tree
poisoned at Its roots. No secret asso-
citation can control the political desti-
MES of the Republic. The attempt to
do it will shipTreck any secret order.
RecOnizing this great truth, the St.
Louis Platform says We emphati-
cally and sincerely assert the oft re-
peated truth taught in our organic
law, that the Grange, National, State
or Subordinate, is not a political or
party organization; further, it de-
clareS that no Grange, if true to its
obligation, can discuss political ques-
tions, nor call political conventions.
nor nominate candidates, nor even dis
cuss their merits in its meetings"