The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-03-18

Address Delivered Before the LIE Roy
Grange, February 9th. 1875, by
Capt. IRA 81. Reynolds, Secretary OF
the Grange.
Worthy Master:-For Some lime have
been thinking and hoping that some o.
our prominent Changers Of this State, OF
western States, would take up this sub
ject and correct the prevailing opinion. o,
false storiss that the enemies of the order
have put in circulation, that the order Of
Patrons Of HusbanGry is an enemy tc
railroads. | am sorry that some one
abIer tnan myself could not have
been persuaded to write ut
this subject, and place the Grange where
it belongs, in the ranks Of those who ia
vor the Improvement of our country by
the extension Of railroads, canals, i'm
provement of water routes, building OF
manufactures of all kinds, and the rapid
growth Of all our cities and towns. 1t is
right and proper for us to discuss all
questions that eject our Order, and as
this materially effects the good name and
intentions of the Grange, | make no other
excuse for introducing it here.
propose to consider the subject under
the following heads:
lst. What is the Grange!
I'd. For what purpose was it insti.
tuted?
Sc. For whom was it instituted
4th. Who is responsible for the war
against railroads
9Th. ! ne Grange is a friend of rail-
roads, bat an enemy to the way they have
been and are being managed.
9Th. How can the railroad and the
grange. or farmers. be reconciled and
made 0 be useful to each other!
lst. What is the Crane! The grange
is a non or combination Of individuals.
for the purpose Of aclfeducation and self
protection. or in tie beautiful langca re
of the National Grange in its declaration
of purpose: III essentials, unity: in non
essentials liberty in all things charity.
It's aim is to educate its members in
everything pertaining to their occur alton.
10 make them independent in their ayo-
cations. and not dependent on any other
lor anything necessary for their Ell t.
ence. %. 1t was instituted for Il partc-
ular class, known as farmers.
and for none others ; and exper ence
has demonstrated the wisdom o.
its founders. Oranges composed exclu
siyely of farmers. have no discordant ell
ements to contend with. consequently
they thrive and fulfil the object of their
organization. But those made up OF
farmers, Mechanics, merchants, nIillerS.
lawyers, &c, have found il. almost with
out an exception. impossible to keep up
an organization, and for accomplishing
any permanent good. they have failed
1t requires union to make strength. and
there Is no union Of these clements. in
nearly every case the lawyer. miller.
merchant, or politician, joined for poiti-
cal purposes, or for something foreign to
the real object for which the Grange was
Sd. These inside foes in unison with
outside enemies, have placed the grange
IN an entirely false position in regard TO
railroads, more than anything else. 1t
vas not instituted as an enemy to rail
roads. or any other institution. The
grange Is not responsible for any of the
obnoxious railroad laws and as far as
| Know, has expressed TO opinion in re-
gard TO railroad legislation. except it has
always affirmed that the people or their
in the State Legislature
or Congress assem- bed. have right to
pass laws regulating the commerce Of
States or between States. con-
'equently \ law made by a
State regulating the rates of
railroads in the States or by the United
States rcgul ating the rates between
States, we claim would be constitutional.
Notwithstanding we hold these views We
10 not desire any law TO be passed either
oy the State or nation. to DESTROY or in
ure any railroad: but we want tie prin-
APPLE settled, that railroads or any other
corporations cannot combine for the pur-
purposes of ;njuring Us. We arc willing
he. railroads should receive reasonable
for services rendered. but
We want no monopolies OF any kind. or
combination of companies that can at
heir own will and option raise the rates
ii fre.ghts whenever We farmers have a
arge surplus of grain TO market.
4th. The grange was instituted for the
benefit of the farmers, and makes war
lpon no honest occupation. bnt it docs
make war against the MANAGEMENT Of
-ailroads, if protecting itself is war. 1t
S friend to railroads. bat it is opposed
% their being used by combined rings to
'wlndle the people out of thsir rights.
The farmers know that railroads prop
'riy and honestly managed are of great
benefit to them and their occupation: and
deny that the grange. as an order of
armers. is or has been. nr ever will be. an
'neny, or even opposed to rail-
'eads. In this wide. extensive
where tie most fertile
ands are isolated from navigabie rivers.
.alroads are necessary. The extensive
arminS of these lands demand them.
'arming and raiiroading must go hand in
land. We grangers ike to see the
teaming iron horse so rolling on its iron