Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-26
agricultural.
PtrRONS or HUSBANRDI.

Vr Editor knowing the interest felt
by the farming community on the subject
Of Patrons Of IIusbandry and the preju'
dices which have been excited in many
minds against the order. l will request
YOU TO publish the Preamble and Declare
tion Of Purposes put forth by the Nation
a. Grange
Will my brother farmer: read and con-
slider and give the order credit for any
good they may accomplish remembering
that in this as in mos, other things, there
is no neutral ground VIII you act for
a. against the interests of the business
you pursue' PTRoN.
PREAMBLE AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSES.
Human happiness is the acme Of earth
ly ambition. Individual happiness de-
ponds upon general prosperity.
The prosperity OF a nation is in proper
,ion to the value Of il productions.
The soil Is the source from whence we
derive all that constitutes wealth; with
ont it We wonld have no agriculture. no
manufactures. no commerce. OF all the
material gifts OF the Creator, the various
productions Of the vegetable world are
OF the FIRST Importance. The ant Of agri-
culture is the parent aud precursor OF all
arts. and its products The foundation Of
Sll wealth
The productions OF Ihe earth are sub
ieet 10 The influence OF natural laws. in.
variable and indispulaJ,e; ,he amount
produced will consequently Le in proper
tion TO he intelligence Of The producer.
and success will depend upon his knowl'
edge of the action OF these laws, and the
proper application OF their principles.
Hence. knowledge is the foundation OF
happiness.
The Ultimate objec, oI Ihi, organization
Tor mutual instruction and protection,
10 lightcn abOr by d.nu-ing knowledge
VI lis aims and purposes expand the
mind by tracing Tie tcaaulIl laws the
Great Creator has established il lie Tai.
vssS. aEd 20 ea.argo oar views Of CIel.
tive Nisdola aal Pows.
To those who read Alright. history
proves that in all ages society is iragmen-
tary. aud successful results of general
welfare can be secured only by general
effort lni;y OF seton cannot be acquir-
ed without discipline. and discipline can.
not be enforced without significant or.
gsnizstion; hence we have = ceremony
OF initiation which binds US 10 mutual
fraternity as with band OF iron; bu,
although is influence is so powerful. its
application is as gentle as that OF the
silken thread that binds a wreath Of
flowers
Profoundly impressed with The truth
that the National Grange OF the Uuited
States should definitely proclaim TO the
.SoTld its general objects. we hereby.
unanimous!T, make this Declaration Of
PnrpOses OF the Patrons OF Husbaudry -
!. United by the strong and faithful
lie OF Agriculture. we mutually resolve
10 labor for the good OF our order our
country and mankind
2. We heartily indolsc The mollo "In
essentials, unity in nonessen;ials. liberty;
IN al things. charity"
g. We shall endeavor 10 advance oug
cause by lAboring 10 accomplish the
following objects; To develope a better
and higher manhood snG womanhood
among ourselves. To enhance the com.
foIts and attraction Of our homes aad
strengthen our attachments TO our pur.
suits. To foster mutual understanding
and CO operation. To maintain inyiolate
our Laws, aud to emulate each other in
labor to hasten the good time coming
To reduce our expenses, both individual
and corporate 10 buy less and produce
more. in order 10 make ous farms self.
sustaining. To diversity our crops, and
crop no more than We can cultivate. To
eondense the weight OF our exports, sell.
ins less in The bushel and more on boot
and fleece less in lint and more in warp
and wool. To systematic our work and
calculate intelhgently on probabilities.
To diseOuntenance the credit system, the
mortgage system. the fashion system,
and every other system tending to prodi.
gality and bankruptcy. We propose
meeting together, talking together. work.
ing together, buying together. selling TO-
gether, and in general acting together ior
oar mutual protection and advancement,
As occasion may require. We shall avoid
litigation As much rs possible BY arbilra.
lion IN the grange. We shall constantly
strive TO secure entire harmony, good
will. vital brotherhood among ourselves,
and to make our order perpetual. We
shall earnestly endeavor TO suppress per.
sonal. local. sectional and national preiu.
diees. all unhealthy rivalry, al selfish
ambition. Faithful adherence 10 these
principles will insure our mental. moral.
social and material advancement.
Enr huasr,o,. - 4