Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-02-19
Platform of Principles of the
Changers.

The National Grange, recently in
session at st. Louis. has made a decla'
ration of it's purposes and objects. En-
tire it is too lengthy for our columns
but we propose q note of its substance
The objects to be advanced by the or
g~anization are these:
To develop a better and higher man
hood and womanhood among ourselves;
n advance the comforts and attractions
of our homes. and strengthen our at
tachments to our pursuits; TO foster
mutual understanding and cooperation,
to maintain inviolate our laws, and TO
emulate each other to labor to hasten
the good time coming; to reduce our
expenses, both individual and corpo-
rate; to buy less and produce more in
order to make our farm self sustaining;
to diversity our crops and crop no
more than we can cultivate; to o
dense the weight of u exports, selling
less in the bushel and more on hoof and
in fleece; to systematic our work, and
calculate intelligently on probabilities;
discountenance the credit system, the
mortgage system. the fashion system,
and every other system tending TO
prodigality and bankruptcy. We pro-
pose meeting together, talking together,
working together, buying together,
selling together. and in general acting
together for our mutual protection and
advancement as occasion may require
We shall avoid litigation as much as
possible by arbitration. In the Grange
we shall constantly strive to secure
entire harmony, good will and vital
brotherhood among ourselves, and to
make our Order perpetual we shall
earnestly endeavor 20 suppress per-
sonal, local, sectional and material
prejudices, all unhealthy rivalry, and
all selfish ambition
Resolution four expresses a desire 10
bring producers and consumers, farm
ers and manufacturers, into more d.
rect and friendly relations. thus dis
pensing with a surplus of middlemen-
"aot that we are unfrien1ly TO them,
but we do not need them; their surplus
and their exactions diminish our
profits" They wage no aggressive
warfare against any other interests
against corporations or capital they
desire only self protection and the
protection of every tru interest OF
our land by legitimate transactions,
legitimate trade and Legitimate profits.
Resolution FIVE declares that the
Grange, National, State or Subordinate,
is not a political party or organization,
and that it cannot, if true to its obliga
tons, discuss political questions. nor
call political conventions. nor nomi-
nate candidates, nor even discuss their
merits, in its meetings. Yet it is the
duty of every member "to do all he
can in his own party to put down
bribery. corruption and trickery; to
see that none but competent, faithful
and honest men, who will u~nfiinchingly
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 tie MAJ The office"
This utterance commends itself to
every one. and is worthy Of acceptance
by all-EDs.
The sixth resolution declares it to be
peculiarly a farmers institution.
Resolution seventh declares it TO be
an abiding principle of the organiza-
ton to relieve oppressed and suffering
brethren, and last, but not least. we
proclaim it among our purposes to
inculcate a proper appreciation of the
abilities and sphere of as is in
Dictated by admitting her to member
ship and position in our order.