Omaha daily bee., 1874-06-23
What will the Changers Dorp

Seth p. Mobley, who is Master of
Central Star Grange No. SIS, and
member Of the Nebraska State
Grange, expresses his views touch
ing the influence of the Grange in
the Grand Island Independent of
June 10th TN --rr
There seems t. be a wonderful
anxiety in some quarters to know
what action the Order of the Patrons
Of Husbandry will take in the ap-
preaching campaigns. We do not
pretend to be very well posted as to
the intentions of that order i'm par
ticular, OF other orders in general,
but we do know that as an order it
will not and cannot take any pO-
htical action, but the constitution of
the order does not contemplate de-
priving thu members of their rights
as citizens, and when q Grange has
been closed and Is no longer at work
under the charter Of the National
Grange, the members are at perfect
liberty to takeany action they choose
as citizens, whether it be to indulge
in a dance or hold Q regular political
discussion, make stump speeches,
give q theatrical performance or
form themselves into q camp meet
ing. Belonging to the order does
not deprive any one of his peroga-
lives as an American citizen, as
some seem to suppose, and If the
industrial elements decide, for mu-
tual benefit, to unite In forming a
political organization, outside of,
and independent of the Grange,
they have a perfect right to take
such action as they e proper.
When the gavel has been brought
down, the master declares the
Change "closed," the members are
no longer working under the con
stitutiOr, rules or regulations Of
State or National Oranges, but are
ct once at liberty to hold q woman's
rights convention if they choose.
II by joining the Order of Patrons,
one bartered away his civil rights
as . citizen, its membership would
be limited indeed, but such IL not
the case, and Patrons have exactly
the same liberties that are possessed
by other people.
That there Is o prevailing senti-
ment among the industrial classes
in favor Of righting some of the flag
rant existing wrongs i'm political af-
fairs, can no longer be questioned.
But the modus Operdndi by which
this Is to be brought about remains
fr the FIXTURE to tell. That there is
need for Q new or independent party,
we do not believe. 1t seems to US
that it would be quite as easy q
task to correct wrongs in the *
isting party as to form a new party,
void Of wrong, and we take it, the
best means of purifying party and
preventing corruption is for the peO-
Pile everywhere 70 attend the prima-
ries with as much, IL not more eager
ness than they would the polls, and
to zee to It that none hut capable
and honest men are nominated.
Select men whom you are convinced
VIII work for the interest of the in
dustrial and producing classes; Sc
lect them from the Industrial classes,
and thea attend to 1t that 10 fraud
or chicanery, on the part Of pOliti-
cal tricksters and wire-pullers shall
be allowed to triumph over the
voice Of the people.
Political bummers are ever ready
to make all manner Of promises, but
when they have worked themselves
into positions these professional of.
fice-seekers are too often found ig-
Horipg the powers that
made them, and lending their aid
to oppressive monopolies because
there Is money in it.
That great wrong exists, which
the people have power to correct,
none can deny. That the most Of
these wrongs have grown from the
neglect of the wronged people, is
equally apparent. Too little atten-
ton has been paid to principles Of
party by the common masses, and
too little importance has been given
to primar;as which are in re-
atty Of more Importance tha4
general elections. Men have
sought office too much, and Off
Cps have sought men too sell
DOM. 1t is at the primaries, and
not at the elections where states arc
made out, and political bummers
and wire pullers put In their work;
nominating men who never could
have been placed In nomination
had there been ageneral turn out by
the people, and thus in many in
stances placing in the field, tickets,
from all parties, that are the very
quintesssnoe Of trickery; corruption
and meanness, and on election day
the people are called upon to
"choOse between two evils"
That there should be a reform In
this respect Is certain, and If the
people do not strive to redress exist
ing wrongs by taking steps to secure
the reform, then there will be little
pity for them while monopolies con-
tinue to grind them down. The
watch words should he, "hOnssty,p
competency" and farmers, labor
ers and all others should freely dis
cuss the men and measures requisite
to work a reform, and give all "equal
rights under the law" The farmers;
yea, the common farmers, should
look into political affairs, and see
whether or not legislation is impair
tial and undiscriminating. Even
thsy, should have a voice about Sc
Iecting men who would be most liza
BILE to represent the interests OF in
dustry rather than capital.
We believe that the people are
beginning to be convinced of the
fact that by united effort, and proper
attention to nominating eonven-
tons, they can secure the nOmina.
ton of good, capable men, who are
not professional Office seekers. When
such a result has been achieved,
political montebanks will have to
lake q back seat, and the interests
OF the people viii be better guarded.