Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-05-09
The Grange not Partisan.

The following is the fifth article Of
the declaration Of purposes by the
National Grange, at its seventh an
nual session at st. Louis, February
1874: - ~
.. We emphatically and sincerely
assert the oft-repeated truth, taughtin
our organic law, that the Grange,
National, State, and Subordinate, is
not political or party organization.
No Grange, if true to its obligations,
can discuss political or religious ques-
tons, nor call political conventions,
nor nominate candidates, nor even dis
cuss their merits in its meetings; yet
the principles We teach, underlie all
true politics, all true craftsmanship,
and, if properly carried out, will tend
to purify the whole political atmos-
pbere of our country. For we seek
the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der. We must always bear in mind
that no one by becoming Patron of
Husbandry, gives up that inalienable
right and duty which belongs to every
American citizen, to take q proper
interest in the politics of the country.
On the contrary, it is right for every
member to do all In his power, legiti-
mately, to influence for good the action
of any political party to which he be-
longs. 1t is his duty 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 unfinchingly stand by
our industrial interests, are nominated
for all positions of trust; and to have
carried out the principles which should
always characterize any Grange mem
ber-that the Office should seek the
man, and not the man the Office We
acknowledge the broad principle that
difference of opinion is no crime, and
hold that progress toward truth is
made by differences of opinion, while
the fault lies in bitterness of contro.
) versy.
I'VE desire proper equality, equity
! and fairness; protection of the weak
restraint upon the strong; in short
justly distributed burdens and Justly
distributed power. These are Ameri-
can ideas, the very essence of Ameri
can independence; and to advocate the
contrary is unworthy of the sons anc
daughters of an American repub
lie.
I'VE cherish the belief that section
alism is, and of right should be, deaC
and buried with the past. Our work
is for the present and future. In Oul
agricultural brotherhood and its pur
poses, we shall recognize no north, NJ
south, no east, no west. 1t is reserved
by every Patron, as the right of free
man. to affiliate with any party thai
will best carry out his principles"
In commenting on the above, Col
mans Rural World says: Here is tn,
whole doctrine in nutshell. A doc
trine to which every sensible Ameri
can citizen can subscribe, having ;
proper regard for self respect. This
declaration of principles emanate,
from the proper authority, from thu
chosen representatives of thirty two
States and two Territories; and please
remember that they were adopted
unanimQpsly-not single dissenting
! voice. And these were not only fail
representative men, but earnest men
} meaning just what they said; and rel!
I upon it, they intend to live these prin
ciples themselves, and to see that the!
aae enforced by others. Let all mem
bers of the order make note of this
and let those without our gates stol
their cavilings, misinterpretations anC
Misrepresentation Let them be man
ly and fair, and not pronounce judg
ment against a great organization o
citizens as good as they are, on accoun
of the erratic course of afew here ant
there, who have misconceived the tru,
principles of the great order of which
I they are members.