The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-03-07

POLITICAL PRINCIPLES.
5. We emphatically and sincerely assert
the oft-repeated truth taught in our organic
law, that the Grange, National, State or s1l.
bordinate, is not political or party oreani.
zation. No Grange, if true to its obligations
can discuss political or religious questions
nor call political conventions, nor nominate
candidates, nor even discuss their merits in
its meetings.
Yet the principles we teach underlie all true
politics, all true craftsmanship, and if proper
! ly carried out, will tend to purify the whole
political atmosphere of our country.
For, we seek the greatest good to the great
est number. But 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 proper interest in the politics
of his country.
On the contrary, it is right for every mem
Der to do all in his power legitimately to in
| f1uence for good the action of the political
party to which he belongs.
1t is his duty to do all in his own party to
| put down bribery, corruption and trickery
| to see that none but competent, faithful and
| honest men, who will unfiinchingly stand by
our industrial interests. are nominated for all
positions of trust; and to have carried out the
principle which should ALWAYS characterize
every Patron of Husbandry, 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 'sthe fault lies in the bitter
ness of controversy
We desire a proper equality, equity and
fairness; protection for the weak, restraint
upon the strong; in short, Justly distributed
burdens, and justly distributed power. These
are American ideas, the very essence of
American Independence, and to advocate the
,4,,o,, Al.
tiers of an American Republic.
We cherish the belief that sectionalism 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 purposes We shall recognize no North,
no South, no East, no West
1t is reserved by every Patron, as his right
as freeman, to affiliate with any party that
will best carry out his principles.
oUTSDE COOPERATION.
6. Ours being peculiarly farmers insti-
tuition, we cannot admit all to our ranks.
Many are excluded by the nature of our or
ganization, not because they are professional
men or artizans, or laborers, but because they
have not sufficient direct interest in tilling
or pasturing the soil, or may have some, in
terest in conflict with our purposes.
But we appeal to all good citizens for their
cordial cooperation to assist our efforts to-
ward reform, that we may eventually remove
and corruption.
We hail the general desire for fraternal har-
mony, equitable compromise, and earnest CO.
operation, as an omen of our future sue
cess.
CONCLUSION. ssts
Z. 1t shall be an abiding principle with us
to relieve any Of our oppressed and suffer-
ing brotherhood by any means at our COM
mand.
Last, but not least, we proclaim it among
our purposes to inculcate proper apprecia-
ton of the abilities and sphere Of woman, as
is indicated by admitting her to membership
and position in our Order.
Imploring the continued assistance of our
Divine Master to guide us in our works, we
here pledge ourselves to faithful and har-
monious labor for all future time, to return
by our united efforts to the wisdom, Justice,
fraternity and political purity of our fore
fathers.
[The following paper has been under con-
sideration by the National Grange and recOm-
mended to be published.]
Your committee on resolutions approve the
admirable address Gas below to the cotton
States, and recommend its adoption by the
National Grange. Adopted unanimously.
MEMORIAL TO THE COTTON STATES.
The undersi ned, representatives of the cotton
States in the National Grange, beg leave to pre-
sent to the Patrons of Husbandry in the cotton
(, stions, which they believe to be justified by the
present condition of the South
During the past seven years our cotton-felds
have added TO the wealth of the world two thou
sand millions of dollars 49,, ,0t0, ,00J, ,000, and
caused prosperity to smile upon every one who
has handled our crops save those who struggled
for its production. Annually the energies of the
cotton planter have been exhausted in attempt
ing to produce maximum crop of a single sta
pie, whilst quite as frequently he has reduced his
means in supplying his necessary wants.
system based upon such policy, and producing
such results, must be radically wrong, and
If persistedein via lead TO bankruptcy and
ruin. We propose to inquire into The cause of
this evil, and, if possibles present a method }of
Has it been that the supply of cotton has ex-
ceeded the demand? Statistics do not prove this
Is it that our labor has been unreliable and
expensive? he same labor investment has
nowhere yielded greater marset value of pio-
ducts.
Has Providtnc nee inflicted upon us agricultural
disaster? He has often interpesed for our ben
eIlt
What then has ayerted our anticipated prosper
ity? Are we not responsible for our difeful con-
dition, in that we have neglected too much the
growth of breadstuffs, and substituted therefor
almost exclusively the cultivation of cotton? No
people can ever become prosperous who are not
self-sustaining. Our fertile soil, exhaustless
mineral wealth, abundant water power, and gen.
eral salubrious climate avail us nothing if aanu-
ally we expend millions for subsistence. 1t is
generally conceded that home-gr bread is
cheaper Jndn puTCHdseu suppll6s, anu bHe OuSeI-
vation of every planter is, tlat those Southern
farmers who live within themselves are more
independent and less encountered with debt than
trose who have relied solely upon the cotton
crop. Were it otherwise, it is hazardous for any
people to rely upon others for supply of arti-
cles which are necessary for their daily consump-
ton.
The horrors of famine which have more than
once cursed the people of India, in their efforts
to grow Gotten to the exclusion of breadstuffs,
would have been repeated in our midst, but that
we were able TO supply our necessities from the
teeming granaries OF the Northwest. We shrink
from the contemplation of what would be our
condition should disaster deprive us of that re-
source. During the past year certain portions OF
iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota, have been inyad-
ed by the grasshopper, which has swept their
fields like fire, and destroyed every yesGge. of
vegetation. Imagine your condition should 8
similar invasion become general in the North
west Couple with this idea the total failure OF q
cotton crop, either from the worm, from drought,
or any other unavoidable cause Improbable as
such visitations may appear, have we the power
to prevent them2 and is it wise to subject our
selves to the possibility of becoming the victims
of such calanlities? Depend upon it, our wis st
and fest policy s, far as practicable, 70 pro-
iuce at home our necessary supplies. Is there o