The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-02-20
THE NATIONAL GRANGE.
Declarations of Principles and Pur-
poses of the Patrons OfHusbandry.

ct. Louis last week. adopted the follow
ing Declaration of Principles
Profoundly impressed with the truth
that the National Grange of the United
States should definitely proclaim to the
world its general objects, we hereby
unanimously make this declaration of
the purposes of the Patrons of Husban-
dry:
"First-United by the strong and
faithful tie of agriculture, we mutually
resolve to labor for the good of our or
der, our country, and mankind.
"Second-We heartily indorse the
motto, in essentials unity; in non-essen-
tials liberty; in all things charity
"Third-We shall endeavor to ad-
vance our cause by laboring to accom-
plish the following objects: To develop
better and higher manhood and wo-
manhood among ourselves; to enhance
the comforts and attractions of our
homes, and strengthen our attachments
to our pursuits; to foster mutual under
standing and cooperation; to maintain
inviolate our laws, and to emulate each
other to labor to hasten the good time
coming; to rednce our expenses, both in
dividual and corporate; to buy less and
produce more, in order to make our
farms self-sustaining; to diversity our
crops, and crop no more than we can
cultivate; to condense the weight of cur
exports, selling less in the bushel and
more on hoof and in fleece; to systema-
tie our work, and calculate Intelligent
ly on probabilities; to discountenance
the credit system, the mortgage system,
the fashion system, and every other sys-
tenn tending to prohigacy and bankrupt
cy. We propose meeting together, talk
ing together, working together, buying
together, selling together, and, in gener-
al, acting together for our mutual pro-
lection 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 to suppress personal,
local, sectional and National prejudices,
all unhealthy rivalry all selfish ambition.
Faithful adherence to these principles
will insure our mental, moral, social and
material advancement.
"Fourth-For our business interest
we desire to bring producers and con-
sumers, and farmers and manufacturers
into the most direct and friendly rela-
tions possible. Hence we must dispense
with surplus of middle-men; not that
we are unfriendly to them, but we do
not need them; their salaries and their
exactions diminish our profits. We
wage no aggressive warfare against any
other interests whatever. On the con-
trary, all our acts and all our efforts, so
far as business is concerned, are not only
for the benefit of producers and con-
sumers, but also for all other interests
that tend to bring these two parties into
speedy and economical contact. Hence
we hold that transportation companies
of every kind are necessary to our sue
cess; that their interests are intimately
connected with our interests, and har-
monious action is mutually advantage
Gus, keeping in view the first sentence
in our declaration of principles of ac-
tion that individual happiness depends
upon general prosperity. We shall,
therefore, advocate for every State the
increase in every practicable way of all
facilities for transporting cheaply to the
seaboard, or between home producers
and consumers of all productions our
country. We adopt it as our fixed pur-
pose to oper ont the channels in natures
great arteries, that the fe-bIood of COM
merce may flow freely. We are not en-
emies of railroads, navigable and irriga-
ting canals, nor of any corporations
that will advance industrial interests,
nor of any laboring classes. In our no.
BILE order there is no communism, no
agrarianism.A We are opposed to such
SplIlt VI dhy SOA
ton or enterprise as tends to oppress
people and rob them of their just prof
its. We are not enemies of capital, but
we oppose the tyranny of monopolies.
We long to see antagonism between cap
ital and labor removed by common con-
sent and by an enlightened statesman
ship worthy of the nineteenth century.
| We are opposed to excessive salaries,
| high rates of interests and exorbitant
percent, profits in trade, they greatly in
crease our burdens and do not bear
proper proportion to the profits of the
producers. We desire only self-protec-
ton and protection of every true inter-
est of our land by legitimate transac-
tions, legitimate trade and legitimate
profits. We shall advance the cause of
education among ourselves and for our
children bys all just means within our
power. We especially advocate for our
agricultural and industrial colleges that
practical agriculture, domestic science,
and all the arts which adorn the home,
be taught in their courses of study.
"Fifth-We emphatically and sincere
ly assert the oft repeated truth taught in
our organic law that the Grange, Ma
tional, State or subordinate, is not po-
litical or party organization. No
Grange, if true to its obligation, can
discuss political or religious questions,
nor call political conventions, nor NOM
mate candidates, nor even discuss their
merits in its meetings. Yet the princi-
pies we teach underlie all true politics,
all true craftsmanship, 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 becoming grange
member gives up that inalienable right
and duty which belongs to every Amer
ican citizen, to take proper interest in
the politics of his country. On the