Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-02

SOTOe1uS ueteEIniHeu IN tnelT TcScut
conclave to let no inquisitive one
tempt them under any circumstan-
ces to reveal one single word, fearful
that the whole plan would be defeat
ed il word of warning should be
sounded. And how studiousIy has
it been carried out. Some eight or
ten State Oranges have been held
since the meeting of the Star Cham
ber at st. Louis, and yet the only
item that has leaked out is this item
in the constitution of the State
Grange of Missouri. The amend
ments Of the constitution are no se-
cret matter-the constitution itself is
n public document, and all should
know under what law they live; and
the Representatives should be our
agents, and not our masters. The
truth is our organization is conducted
under system of terrorism. No
organ of the Order dare say word
against the doings Of the ring which
has heretofore ruled, and now rules
the Order in all its departments.
The organs (newspapers) are making
immense fortunes out of this popular
uprising of the people, and no love
of the rights Of the people--no in
dwelling love of righteousness, will
! tempt them to utter single word
against our expensive figure head.
They are constantly reminded that
| If they do, the funds Of the Order
will be used to start organs in oppo-
sition. The Committee of the State
Grange Of Kansas have correct views
of this matter, in their report upon
a Grange organ, when they say:
| We are firmly convinced, from OBJ
servation of the effect i'm other
States, Ms well rs Kansas, that the
selection of any journal, which shall
be designated as an "OfIlcial Organ" +"
works serious injury, not only to the
Grange, but in a great measure de-
stroys the independence, integrity
and reliability Of the paper itself.
To the intelligent public outside OF
| the order, the utterance of paid or
subsidized official organ has neither
weight or influence, being considered
n; n; ssssssii ssss nrffy what 1T Is paid 10 say.
As an official organ, its independent
criticism Of the transgressiOns in the
Grange Is cut off, and its readers
must feel that its utterances are COM
promised by ita official obligations.
The selection Of one special paper
upon which the Grange concetrates
it patronage, tends to place the press
OF the State in antagonism. The
press Of the State will be earnest CO.
workers, unless driven into opposi-
ton by special favoriteism shown to
one paper.
We suppose the National Grange
hasproposed amendments, bat there is
little doubt but they will be defeated
before the new feeble State Oranges
who can be easily controlled. This
is the object Of this silence Of the
grave. No demand Of the member
ship Of the press will induce single
member Of the National Sponge to
utter a single word 1t is not merely
cold contempt for the rights and
| and feelings Of the membership, but
it il the silent, step Of the representa-
tive af the feline race for It's prey.
II il Il dark aud determined effort
to retain power and plumber. Mum
| il the word, and the command has
| gone out 10 the faithful leeches not
To be betrayed by All attempt to de-
| fend. But in secret council it was
determined to keep still and quiet,
and that the grumb!ings would soon
| blow over; and even If A few grang-
es did withdraw, the Order has now
such a momentum, IL would bear
down all opposition, and sustain the
patriarchs In all their extravaganza
! and corruptions. Power and 100000
a year Is not to be yielded up with
! out an effort. The organs will
sustain the actions of the National
Spouges, aud the other presses know
or care little how the patrons are
treated. Keek still. Publish not a
word. Attempt no defense. Look
wise. Shake your heads. But all
the while, recollect the Register nev-
er creeps to its hole at the first growl
of lion or the scream OF a jackal.