The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1874-03-04
THE NATIONAL A \
Authoritative Declaration of Principles
-Animus and Aims of the Order.

L lOflud, anu L ~
It is as follows
Profoundly impressed with the truth
that the National Grange of the United
States should definitely present to the
2orId its general objects, we hereby
make this declaration Of the purposes
of the Patrons of H~usbandry
l. United by the strong and faithful
tie of agriculture, we mutually resolve
to labor for the good of our order, ou1
country and mankind.
2. We heartily indorse the motto, "ln
essentials unity, in non-essentials liber-
ty, in all things charity"
8. We shall endeavor to advance our
cause by labOring to accomplish the
following objects: To develops better,
higher manhood and womanhood among
ourselves to enhance the comforts and
attractions of our homes and strengthen
our attachments to our pursuits to
foster mutual understanding and CO.
operation; to maintain inviOlate our
laws and to emulate each other to labor
to hasten the good time coming to re-
duce our expenses, both individual and
corporate; to buy less and produce
more, in order to make Our fans self,
sustaining to diversity u crops. and
crop no more than we can cultivate to
condense the weight of our exports,
selling less in The bushel and more on
hoof and in fleece !; to systematic our
work and calculate in~telligently on the
| probabilities to discountenance the
credit system, the mortgage system, the
fashion system, and every other system
tending to bankruptcy. We propose
meeting together, talking together,
working together, buying together,
selling together, in general acting to-
gether for our mutual protection and
advancement, as the occasion may re-
quire. We shall avoid litigation as
much as possible, by arbitration in the
grange. W. shall constantly strive to
secure entire harmony, good will and
vital brotherhood among ourselves and
to make our order perpetual we shall
earnestly endeavor to suppress personal,
local, sectional and national preiudices,
all unhealthy rivalry, all selfish ambi-
ton. Faithful adherence to these prin-
ciples will insure our mental, moral,
and social advancement.
4. Forour business interests we desire
to bring producers and consumers, farm
ers and manufacturers, into the most
direct and friendly relations possible.
Hence W. must dispense with a surplus
of mediterranean that we are I'M
friendly to them, but we don't need
them. Their surplus and their exac-
tions diminish our profits. We wage no
warfare against any other interest
whatever. On the contrary, all our acts
and all our efforts, SO far as business is
concerned, are not only for the benefit
of producers and consumers, but also
for all other interests that tend to bring
these two parties into speedy and eco
nomical focus. We hold that transpor-
companies of every kind are nee
essary to our success, and they are init
connected with our interests and
are mutually advantageous. Keeping in
view the first sentence in our declara-
ton of principles of action, that indi-
happiness depends upon the gen
eral prosperity, we shall therefore adj
vocate for every state the increase in
every practical way of all our facilities
for transportation cheaply to the sea-
board, or between home producers and
consumers, all the productions of our
country. We adopt it as our fixed pur-
pose to open out the channels to natural
great arteries, hat the life-blood of
commerce may flow freely. We are not
enemies of railroads, navigable canals,
nor of any corporations that will ad-
vance our industrial interests, nor of
any laboring classes. In our noble or
der there isno communism, no African
ism. We are opposed to such support
and management of any corporation or
enterprise as tends to Cypress the peo-
pie and to rob them of their Just prof
It's. We are not enemies to capital, but
we oppose the tyranny of monopolies.
We long to see the antagonism between
and labor removed by common
consent and by an enlightened states
nanship worthy of the 10th century.
We are opposed to excessive salaries,
rates of interest, and an exorbi-
ant per cent. of profits in trade. They
increase our burdens and do not
,ear a proper proportion to the profit
4 pr ducers. We seek only self-pro.
ection and the protection of every true
interest of u land bylegitimato trans
legitimate trade and legitimate
We shall advance the cause of
ducation among ourselves, and for our
hildren, byall just means III our power.
We especially advocate for our agricul
ural and industrial colleges that prac-
ical agriculture, domestic science, and
the arts which adorn the home, be
mbraoed in the course of study.
5. We emphatically and sincerity as
ert the oft repeated truth taught in I
ur organic law, that the grange. ma
ional, state or subordinate, is not a {
or party organization. No
true to its obligation, can dis ,
lss political or religious questions, nor !
Ill political conventions, nor nomi- !
ate candidates, o even discuss their |
in meeting. Yet the principles !
e teach underlie all true politics. all |
ne craftsmanship, and if properly l
lrried out will tend to purify the whole l
atmosphere of our country, for Z
e seek the greatest good to the great :
1t number, But we must also bear il q
mind that no one, by becoming q (,
range member, gives up that right and L
lty which belongs to every American '.
tiBen to take a proper interest in the Il
olties of his country. On the con- 1
airy, it is right for every member 70 {
} all in his power, legitimately. TO in. r
hence for good the action of n no. u
Teal party 70 which be belongs. IT is Il
duty to do all he can in his own Il
lrty to put down bribery, corruption !
"a trickery, to see that none but com q
tent, faithful aid honest men, who 81
III u~nfinchingly stand by our indus u
ial interests, are nominated for all 20 Ii
hons of trust, and to have carried out
e principles which should always W
laracterize every grange member. that a
e office should seek the man and not ii
e man the office. We acknowledge a
{ broad principle that difference of b
Union is no crime, and hold that pro lie
ess towardtruth is made by differences RI
opinion, while fault lies in the Bit, it