The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-24
POLITICS AND RELIGION
~ TIL CHANGES
A Different Sort Of Democrat
BY A. GAYLORD SPALDING

ny A. GAYLORD sPALDING.
DEAR EDITOR 1t is evidently a wise
regulation 70 exclude from the oranges all
exciting and butter disputes and discus
sions W partizan politics and sectarian re-
h=Iuu. hIch tend to distract and divide
the order since the success and prospect
~ NJ any people or enterprise require
spirit n harmonic unity and cooperation,
hrm ami unwaNering that the winds can
not shake But the principles Of true
politics and true religion are very different
things we want a new political dictlon.
airy for workIngmen. When politics means
home interests, and every day duties of
labor, production, wealth and comfort.
then It properly belongs to the grange
We also need a new defining ~ religion.
When that Is made 10 consist Of the prin-
ciPles Of love, affection, brotherhood SIS
terhood, lt At once becomes most heavenly
IN character, and ut for the patrons and
the family.
The politics Of party, as understood by
professional politicians, is Of course wholly
unsuIted to grange exercises, because the
principle Of equity and brotherhood is not
its basis. Its motive is selfish and IL
methods a continual strife and conflict for
personal station and aggrandizement. and
the spoIls NJ office. 1t i rough. heartless.
wrsnghng, and unprincipled, and consists
OF cunning tricks Of leadership and caucns
management, election days, counting
votes, and rooster growing. 1t Is the pol
rites Of othce-seeking and lottery gambling.
and net Of the common people of salary
grab and monopoly, and not Of plain.
honest production; Of the small souled
trinket peddlIng few, and not Of the fair
and sober farmer, mechanic, and worker
The religion Of sect, like party politics.
Is thing Of popular ristocratic-profes-
slonal church leadership-of theological
dogmas, controversy and speculation. 1t
gives an easy living to men in high seats
q sanctimony, who pick their bread from
the hard tollIng class. II Il not the RELIC
ION Of humanity, and not the kind for the
grange. Ii dwells too much IN the thick
clouds Of mixed and debatable theologies.
ana scars too far above the heads of com
mon minds ana common sense. We want
the practical, with less theory and SUNDAY
formula, and more real solid work of moral
reform and social Improvement less "A
costly and gaudy steeples, and more Of
home culture. That is sensible grange ~
hglOn, which emancipates from the bond
age Of party, and sect, ana Mrs Grundy
Partlzan editors ana leaders are bigblv
gratlhed with the fact that the oranges are
non political, and expect, therefore. 20
retain their party leadership as heretofore.
and secure the offices and emolumsnts
right along, under the old names.
The late election Is exultingly claimed
as a glorious democratic triumph. But
examine the facts. Is It not mistaken
Interpretation Aye, that is tile delnslon
OF lt. Certainly, it is a very different sort
OF democracy, so far as the grange vote is
concerned. There has been a considerable
OF land slide under our very feet. and
We stand on advanced ground. Some
don't seem to know it, vet 81 it il. never
theless. Tell the secret to conoressmen
and politicians. With the granpers. il Il
no" democracy with IN equal rights
plank. The reform element Is infused
which elevates 1t wonderfully.
woman suffrage is a marked and hap
py feature Of the grange. Woman, in the
old parties, has no recognition as a part Il
the human family, except as a mere sub
Ject, but Is kept down as something Jetolc
the human-an inferior grade. But now.
she rises up, is welcomed to the grange.
to ITS politics, and its new government
Her domestic services fit her most admi-
rably for government housekeeping, and
such cleaning out Of the filthy Augean
stables of masculine corruption will be
marvellous III our eyes Our bachelor hall
government will be changed by the new
order, from house of moral disorder to a |
ladies parlor home Of industry, refine
ment, trugality, and economy. Man with
out woman is but half man, nor even
that because she is the ''better half" But
with her help, corruption must fall. and |
monopoly cease.
The grange philosophy remodels our old |
politics IN all ITS practical arrangements.
ana brings the ruling power home to the |
people. 1t individuates them, and makes
EACH ONE personally responsible and indie
pendent. Home strength and manly dig |
nifty are self-sustaining, and more impoP-
tant to the country than any mere outside |
law. 1t is its own law, and if united. il |
is public law. Unite, then, dear workers |
combine in compact body Organize |
and cooperate throughout our great and |
proud country. We have sense enough |
among the people, scattered round, con.
fused but it must be transferred from the |
city to the country-from the tender and |
delicate professionals to the rough-skinned
industrials. The farmers home is made
his royal palace.
The November election is past, and we
wait a whole year for another, But the
can never wait 30 long for the
How political wagon. He requires his
aRaw. meals, with his regular toll and to
a on legislators and congressman is
~ nNN.A