Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-08-13
Address to the Patrons CT Wisconsin.

that time it's members have endeavor
ed to develope and give practical eff
feet to those purposes tor which the
order was instituted. What those
purposes are the world knows. They
have been repeatedly and publicly
declared in SO plain manner as not
to be misundeI stood unless intention
ally. Moreover, at the last session
Of the National Grange they were
formulated and adopted, thus adding
the seal OF authority to what may be
considered the unanimous expression
of the sentiments and intentions of
the Order. That "Declaration OF
Purposes" will challenge the closest
scrutiny to discover either in the
general or specific objects set forth,
any intent to depart from line OF
conduct which could be constructed
otherwise than being confined strict
ly to objects such as the world would
pronounce laudabe and praiseworthy
in any class of the community.
Among them was that of securing
cheap transportation to the sea-bOard
We have adopted it as sour fGed pur-
pose" to "Open out the channels in
natures great arteries, that the life
blood OF commerce may flow freely"
We have declared that 1--WE are not
enemies of railroads." but eve are
opposed TO such spirit and manage
ment of any corporation or enter
prise as tends to Cypress the people
and rob them of their just profits.
That "we desire only self protection
and the protection of every true in
terest of our land by legitimate trans
actions, legitimate trade, and teglti-
mate profits"
1t has been IN accordance with
these views that Whenever occasion
offered the Order has expressed it,
self in favor of the contro! of rail.
road corporations 5y State legisla-
ton, and recent events indicate that
such legislation will be sustained by
both the people and the courts, not
withstading every effort made to
defeat it. Such being the case, there
is danger that resort will De had to
other and more extreme measures.
The result sought by legislative
control of railroads being legitimate
trade, and legitimate profits, it is not
likely to be received with much ia
yor by those who have hitherto con-
trolled this kind Of property upon
different principles. Every effort
made TO defeat enacted law having
failed, there is q probability that re-
sort will be had to more subtle,
corrupt and dangerous method of re-
tanning their power. Already we
are told through the pubic journals
that capital will be withdrawn from
the State, and no assistance can be
extended by foreign capital to any
more Railroad projects in Wisconsin
until the Objectionable ldtOS are repealed,
and letters are ostentatiously para
ded from English agents asserting in
almost insulting "termS,' these decis-
ions These letters and assertions
and threats, whatever may be their
intended effect, are like the letters Of
Messrs. Mitchell and Keep to the
Governor of the State. They indi-
cate clearly the course to be pursued.
There is no uncertainty upon this
point. Thu effort to be made is to
repeal the Objectionable ld10s. With
the experience which the people of
Wisconsin have already had with
these railroad managers, it hardly
need be said that no stone will be
left unturned to effect this object,
and the agent said to be the most
potent used by them, is the one
which we are now advised will be
most effectually brought to bear.
Some Of the public journals already
speak with iippant confidence Of
purchasing legislators, and in abiding
to these practices of railroad ''mag-
mates" do not hesitate to include
within the possibilities of this potent
method, even the Judiciary Of the
land.
1t is worse than useless to close
our eyes to the probabilities involved
in these projects.
1t would be culpable negligence on
the part Of the "Patrons Of Husband
ny" not to take prompt and decided
measures to prevent the consnmma-
ton of these schemes, and your Com
mittee might well be considered as
neglectful of their trust not to give
timely warning to the Order, and
suggest adequate remedies. 1t may,
indeed, well be considered a time to
awaken the solicitude of every good
citizen when we are obliged to even
acknowledge that such things are
contemplated. But when we are
made to know that organized CAPT,
tai stalks abroad in the country seek
ing in every way to overreach legit-
innate trade, and to despoil labor,
reckless OF means so that the end be
accomplished, we may we'll prepare
by such methods as may be within
our power, to avert if possible, the
storm of disaster and ruin from
bursting upon us. 1t has been forci-
bly, said by distinguished writer:
eli, in the interests of individuals
or of classes, you make the law an
instrument of robbery, every one
will wish 10 make laws, and to make
them to his own advantage. There
will be a riotous crowd at the doors
of the legislative halls; there will
be bitter conflict within minds
will be in anarchy, morals Will be
shipwrecked; there will be violence
in party organs, heated elections,
accusations, determinations, jealous
les, inextinguiahable hates, the pub
lie forces placed at the service of ra-
pacity instead of REFRESHING it, the
ability to distinguish the true from
the false effaced from all minds, as
the notion of justice and injustice
will be obliterated from all con-
sciences. the government responsible |