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

surplus and their cXactlOnS diminish our
profits. We wage no aggressive warfare
against any ether Interests whatever On
The contrary, al our sctS, and all ctr
efforts. so far a. business is concerned,
are not only tor Tao benefi, OF the pro.
Queer and consumer. but also for all other
interests that tend to bring these two
parties into speedy and economical con-
tact Hence we hold that transportation
companies OF every Kind are necessary to
our success. that their interests are init
matoly connected with our interests, and
, harmonious action is mutually advanta.
gous keeping in view the first sentence
IN our declaration OF principles OF action
, that "hdiviIltI happiness depends upon
general prosperity" We proclaim our
! ,culud COu,ic;Jln that We cannot expect
10 help oarselyI, Ia ans form that in
wolves the injury OF others. We shall,
therefore. advocate for every State the in
crease in every practicable way, of all
facilities for transporting cheap'y 10 the
-eaboard, or between home producers
and consumers. all the productions OF our
country. We adop, it as our fixed pur
? pose 10 ''open out the channels in natures
gleat arteries that the lie blood of COM
merce may low freely We are not
enemies OF railroads. nayigab'e and irri-
/ eating canals nor OF any corporations
I that will advance our industrial interests.
nor of ans laboring classes. In our no.
/ BILE order there is no communism, no
agrarianism. We are opposed to such
excessive salaries. high rates Of interests
and exorbitant per cent. profits in trade.
They greatly increase our burdens, and
do not bear 4 proper proportion TO the
profits OF producers. We desire only
self protection aud tie protection OF every
true interest OF our land by legitimate
transactions, legitimate trade and iegiu'
mate profits.
We shall advance the cause OF Educa'
ton among ourselves and Tor our children
by all Just means within our power. We
especially advocate for our agricultural
and industrial colleges hat practical agri
culture, domestic science, and sll the arts
which adorn the home, be taught in their
course Of study.
5. We omphaiicslly and sincerely as
>erl the olt-repeAIed truth taught in our
organic law. that the grange, national.
state. or subordinate. i not q political
or panty organization. No grange, IL
tue TO It's obligations. can discuss p1lili
cal or e..gious questions, nor call poiili
cal conventions. mol nominate candidates
nor even discuss their 1eri,S in l. meet
ings. le, the principles We tea h under
lie al true politics. ali true states nanShip
and. if properly carried out. vii tend to
purify the whole political atmosphere oil
our country. For we seek the greatest
good to the greatest number. We must
always bear 10 mind hat no one by be.
coming q Patron OF lIusbandrI gives
up that iualicnable right aud dut which
belongs 10 every American citizen to take
proper interest in the polite; OF his
country. On the contrary. II i ight for
every member to do all in hi power
lttg..imaic'y 10 inluenCe Tor glod the
action Of any political party 10 " hieh BIO
belongs. !. is bis duty % 10 all he can
in his own party 10 pu, down
bribery, corruption and ,rickery to see
that none but competent, faitl ful and
honest men, who will unflinchingly stand
by our Industrial interests. are no Minated
for all positions OF trust; and o have
carried ont the principles which should
always characterize every grange mem
Der, that ~ office >hould seek ne man,
and not he man the office
We acknowledge the broad principle
that difference Of opinion is no crime,
and hold that progress towards truth
is made by differences Of opinion. " while
the fault lies in bitterness Of cont oyersy.
We desire proper equality. equity and
fairness; protection loI the weak. re
slrAiut upon The strong; in short. Justly
distributed burdens and Justly distributed
power. These are American ideas, tho
very essence OF American independence.
aud 10 advocate the contary is unworthy
ol the sons and daughters OF an Ameri.
can republic. We cherish the belief that
secliona.ism is. and OF light should be,
dead ana buried with The past Our
work is .OI The present and the future
IN our agricultural brotherhood and lis
purposes We shall recognize no North, no
South, no East. no West.
1t is reserved By every patron. as the
right Of free man, to affiliate with any
party that will best carry out his princi.
pies.
6. Ours being peculiarly a farmers
institution. we cannot admit all TO our
ranks. Many are excluded by the nature
OF our organization, not because they are
professional men. or artisans or laborers,
bat because they have not q sufficient
direct interest in filling or pasturing the
soil, or may have some interest in con.
hict with our purposes. But we appeal
10 all good citizens for their cordial CO.
operation 10 assist in our efforts towards
reform. that we may eyeniuallY ramona