The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-03-18
Grauge department.
Address Delivered Before the LIE Roy
Grange, February eth. 1875, by
Capt. Ira B. Reynolds, Secretary Of
the Grange.

Grange, February Z7tAs 1870, by
Capt. Ira b. 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
ject and correct the prevailing opinion. or
false storiss that the enemies of the order
have put in circulation, that the order OF
Patrons Of Husban6ry is an enemy to
abler tnan myself could not have
been persuaded to write up
this subject, and place the Grange where
it belongs, in the ranks of those who fa-
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 effect our Order, and as
this materially effects the good name and
intentions of the Grange, l make no other
excuse for introducing it here.
propose to consider the subject under
the following heads:
1st. 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 !
5th. The Grange is a friend of rail-
roads, but 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 20 be useful to each other!
lst. What is the grange! The grange
is a u non or combination of individuals.
for the purpose of selfeducation and self
protection, or in the beautiful langrege
of the National Grange in its declaration
of purpose: in essentials, unity; in non
essentials, liberty in all things charity.
Its aim is to educate it's members in
everything pertaining to their occur patton.
cations, and not dependent on any other
for anything necessary for their esi t.
ence. Cd. 1t was instituted for q partic-
ular class, known as farmers,
and for none others ; and exper ence
has demonstrated the wisdom Of
its founders. Oranges composed exclu
sively Of farmers, have no discordant el-
ements 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 elements. In
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
IL an entirely false position in regard 20
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
know. has expressed no opinion in re-
gard to railroad legislation, except it has
always affirmed that the people or their
in the State Legislature
or Congress assembled. have a right to
pass laws regulating the commerce Of
States or between States, con-
sequently 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 CT nation, to destroy or in.
jure any railroad; but we want tie prn-
ciple settled, that railroads or any other
corporations cannot combine for the pur-
purposes Of injuring Us. We are willing
tha. railroads should receive reasonable
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:shts whenever VIC farmers have
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. 1t
IS friend to railroads, bat it is opposed
to their being used by combined rings to
swindle the people out of thGr rights.
The farmers know that railroads prop
eriy and honestly managed are of great
benefit to them and their occupation: and
/! deny that the grange, as an order Of
farmers, is or has been, or ever will be, an
enemy, or even opposed to rail-
reads. In this wide, extensiTe
where tie most fertile
lands are isolated from navigable rivers.
railroads are necessary. The extensive
farming Of these lands demand them.
Farming and railroading must 60 hand in
hand. We grangers like to see the
steaming iron horse 50 rolling On its iron