Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-20

its meetings. Yet the principles we teach
underlie all true politics, all true statesman.
ship, 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 no one by becom.
ing Patron Of Husbandry gives up that
inalienable right and duty which belongs TO
every American citizen, 10 take proper IN
terest in the politics Of his country. On
the contrary, It is right for every member
to do all in his power legitimately to inHu.
ence for good the action of any political
party to which he belongs. Il is his duty
to do all he can in his own party to put
down bribery, corruption aud trickery to
see that none but competent, faithful and
honest men, who will unainchingly stand by
our industrial interests, are nominated for
all positions. Ii should always character
ize every Patron of Husbandry that the
offices should seek the man aud not the man
the office We acknowledge the broad prin-
clple that difference Of opinion is no crime,
and hold that progress toward truth is made
by difference of opinion, while the fault lies
in bitterness of controversy. We desire a
proper equality, equity and fairness, pro.
lection for the weak, restraint upon the
strong; in short, justly distributed burdens
and justly distributed power. These are
American ideas, the very essence Of Amer
lean independence, aud to advocate the con-
trary is unworthy of the sons and daughters
of an American republic We cherish the
belief that sectionalsm is and of right
should be, dead and buried with the past.
Our work is for the present and the future.
In our agricultural brotherhood and its pur-
poses we shall recognize no North, no South,
no East, no West. 1t is. reserved by every
Patron, as the right Of freeman, to afhli.
ate with any party that will best carry out
his principles.
Ours being peculiarly farmers in
stituton, We cannot admit all to our ranks.
Many are excluded by the nature of our or.
ganization, not because they are professional
men, or artisans, or laborers, but because
they have not a sufficiently direct interest in
tilling or pasturing the soil, or may have
some interest in conflict with our purposes.
But we appeal to all good citizens for
their cordial cooperation to assist in our
efforts toward reform, that we may eventual.
ly remove from our midst the last vestige OF
tyranny and corruption. We hail the gen.
eral desire for fraternal harmony, equitable
compromise, and earnest cooperation, as an
omen of our future success.
1T shall be an abiding principle with
us to relieve any of our suffering brother
hood by any means at our command. Last,
but not least we proclaim it among our pur-
poses to inculcate proper appreciation Of
the abilities and sphere of woman, as is in.
dicated by admitting her to membership
and position in our order. Imploring the
continued assistance Of our divine Master to
guide us in our work, we here pledge our
selves to faithful and harmonious labor for
all future time to return by our united
efforts to the wisdom, justice, fraternity
and political purity of our forefathers.