The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-12-16
THE STATE GRANGE.

THE STATE GRANGE.
This important body is now in session
in Minneapolis.
We are sorry to say that the zeal in
the subordinate oranges is not as great
as it was two years ago; and this seems
to be the case also in other States. We
find the following in the Industrial Age
of Chicago:
A respected Missouri correspondent writes
the Age, "The Changers must take more ac-
tive part in politics or pass into bankruptcy.
ALI the non- producing or parasite classes have
combinations formed to rob the industrial or
producing part of the community, and they
are unit in their efforts to do this. The labor
interests have been, until within few years,
without any counter combinations, and have,
like fools, been fighting or party while the
plunderers have been using party to rob
them. The various workingmen's associa-
tions, the Oranges and the Farmers Clubs, are
counter combinations to protect their members
from further ilnpositions, and, as far as posi-
BILE, correct those that alrefdy exist. But the
importance of this our friends do not appre-
ciate, nor comprehend the degree of good it
might accomplish.
"rhere is no difference in the old parties on
the score Of corruption and mismanagement
The Republicans have had control of the Ma
tional Government for nearly sixteen years.
Growing out of the necessities OF the war and
other questions tt rown upon the country, the
Legislation and public action of the nation have
become corrupt, and the masses Of the Demo-
cratic politicians a:e as dishonest and CORFU pt
as the Republicans. The Shepherd rings and
rascalities at Washington, had the strongest
Democrats in Congress among their supporters
The Tweed rings at New York had the strong
est Republicans in the State WORKING with
them and aiding them in carrying out their
measures of robbery. How can the great pro-
robbed when such state OF affairs exists?
Why not combine in their own defense and
protect themselves?
"The notes Of exnltation that come up from
all over the country, and especilly from the
metropolitan monopoly press, about the cleo
tions the past fall in Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Iowa, Ohio aud Pennsylvania, tell their own
story. In relation to the result in each of those
States their jubilance was almost boundless
The Changers had been beaten, they said-they
had bet n repulsed, and now would be sent
back bowling to their farm yards and all this
kind OF thing, wherthe fact was, the monopO-
lists carried their tickets in Wisconsin, Ohio
and Pennsylvania, by Granger votes. lit is a
fact, doubt not, susceptible of the highest
proof, that majority Of the Grangers in hose
States voted the Republican ticket. and to ha ye
a system of measures fastened upon them that
will cost them large share of their earnings
The men that cast these votes are still blinded
by old partisan pledges, and have not advised
| themselves Of the bad character Of the meas
| urts that are being riveted upon them.
= There is too much truth in all this.
The Grange organization seems to US to
be emasculated by the declaration Of its
constitution that its members shall not
| discuss political questions, when every
question which ow-a.days affects the
welfare of the human family is more o,
less directly related to politics. Thi:
was shown the other day in the National
Grange, when some ass from Soutl
Carolina offered resolution -
WHEREAS, The financial question is nov
becoming political question,
| Resolred, That the Grange canno. properly
discuss it., for words to ,ha, effect
Now could anything be more absurd
than this? This Interpretation woul,
rule out the temperance question. the
transportation question. the taxatior
question, economy, IetrenchmenA re
form and pretty much everything eAe 3
any importance to the people. for all
these are now more or less political i
sues; and thus reduce the RfrnAti'
grange organization, with its milltOns .
members and all its vast capabilitfos 70
the advancement of the welfare OF il
members. to a mere string OF faFmen
clubs, to discuss manures and how i
make hens lay.
4 For our part we are disheartened an
discouraged. The Grange in this ~
contains 10000 members, and the n
suits it has achieved are-we were abos
to say-infnitesimal. Why? Becaus
J its members cared more for their old pt
: litical parti's than they did for thei
Grange or the reforms which it soug
to iDaugurate.
2 What have been the results? The OF
ganizaton has lost in zeal and growth
it has become the subject OF unlimite
contempt at the hands of the Monopc
. list newspapers; in legislation it has Ii
orally effected nothing; and it u weakt
. and farther away from achieving any
; thing for the defence of the farmin
community to-day than it was two veal
t ago. 1t should, with its vast number
:. be represeted by members of its organ
cation on the 1oorslof the Senate an
+ House OF Representatives at Washing
: ton; we doubt il it has single represeI
tative in the Senate and we do not kno,
t OF one in the House. When all the grcs
! questions of transportation come up
. Congress. Minnesota's 10000 Grange1
q must depend upon thass oily piece I
q sleek humanity. Billy Windom, wh
q scarcely knows the difference between
: Southdown sheep and q Hydr,nlic Ram
or that illustrious statesman with q
!. guano reputation Bill King. And =
e the Grange is happy.
/. The ritual and the 'ssocial ieature =
. well enough, but they are NOT Umcael
= 70 keep snch vast organization aIlv
= The business fsatnreF has bsen ma1