The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-23

from Monsieur Julien, confectioner, who
supplied "twelve pounds crackers at
$780,
! Address Delivered Before the Lie Roy
Grange, February eth. 1915, BY
! Capt. Ira II. Reynolds, Secretary of
the Grange.
Worthy Master:-For Some lime have
been thinking and hoping that some Of
our prominent Changers Of this State, or
western States, would take up this sub
)ect and correct the prevailing opinion, or
false storlss that the enemies of the order
have put in circulation, that the order of
Patrons Of Husbandry is an enemy to
railroads: l am sorry that some one
ADLER than myself could not have
been persuaded to write I'd
| this subject, and place the Grange where
it belongs, in the ranks Of those who ia
vor the Improvement Of our country bv
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. It is
right and proper for us to discuss all
questions that effect our Order, and as
~4AAS AAAGCA I01Ay CAVSIS IAc KOOu name ana
intentions Of the Grange, make no other
excuse for introducing it here.
propose to consider the subject under
the following heads:
LIST. What is the Grange! il.
I'd. For what purpose was it insti.
tuted?
80. For whom was it instituted?
18th. Who is responsible for the war
against railroads
5th. The Grange is friend of rail-
roads, but an enemy to the way they have
been and are being managed.
9th. Low can the railroad and the
grange, or farmers. be reconciled and
made to be useful to each other
LIST. What is the grange! The grange
is union or combination of individuals,
for the purpose Of self.education and self
protection, or in the beautiful language
! OF the National Grange in its declaration
| OF purpose: in essentials, unity; in nom
essentials, liberty; in all things charity.
| Its aim is to educate it's members in
everything pertaining to their occupation.
TO make them independent in their avo-
cations, and not dependent on any other
for anything necessary for their ext t.
ence. I'd. 1t was instituted for partic-
ular class, known as farmers,
and for none others and experience
has demonstrated the wisdom of
its founders. Oranges composed exclu.
sively of farmers, have no discordant ell
emcnts to contend with, consequently
they thrive and fulfil the object of their
! organization. But those made up Of
farmers, mechanics, merchants, millers,
lawyers, &c, have found it, 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 politi-
cal purposes, or for something foreign to
the real object for which the Grange was
instituted.
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
was 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
l know. has expressed no opinion in re-
fgard to railroad legislation, except it has
always affirmed that the people or their
| representatives in the State Legislature
or Congress assembled. have right to
pass laws regulating the commerce Of
States or between States, con-
sequent]y a law made by a
State regulating the rates of
railroads in the States or by the United
States regulating the rates between
States, we claim would be constitutional.
Notwithstanding we hold these views we
do not desire any law to be passed either
by the State or nation, to destroy or in
jure any railroad; but we want the prin-
ciple settled, that railroads or any other
| corporations cannot combine for the pur-
purposes of injuring us. We are willing
| that railroads should receive reasonable
compensation for services rendered, but
we want no monopolies of any kind, or
combination of companies that can at
their own will and option raise the rates
| of fre;ghts whenever VIC farmers have a
large surplus of grain to market.
4th. The grange was instituted for the
benefit Of the farmers, and makes war
upon no honest occupation, bnt it does
make war against the management Of
railroads, if protecting itself is war. It
is a friend to railroads, bat it is opposed
to their being used by combined rings to
swindle the people out of their rights.
The farmers know that railroads prop
i \