, 1876-05-13
Platform of the National Grange
Adopted by the National Grange, nj lis
Seventh Annual Session.
PREAMBLE.

Adopted by the National Grange, af IFS
Seventh Annual Session.
PREAMBLE.
Profoundly immersed with the truth that the
National Grange OF the United States should defiant
ly proclaim 10 the world its general objects We here
by unanimou ly make this Declaration OF Purposes
OF the Patrons of Husbsndry;
GENERAL oBJEcTs-
l. United by the strong and faithful tie OF aSrien
ture We mutually resolve TO labor ior the gUO1 ol
our order. our country and mankind
3 We heartily endorse the motto " IN essentia Is,
unity; in non-essentials, liberty; IN all things,
charity"
SPECIFIC osJEcrs-
g. We shah end=avor to aivtnce our cause by
lsboring 10 accomplish the following objects
70 deyelop better ami higher manhood and
fwomanho0d among ourselves 10 ehaiiSe the e'il- m
oOFs and attracfals OF our homes and 10 strengthen
uur attachments 10 our pursuits. To iOr er mutual
nierstandiI 2 AID cooperation To maintain IN
violate our laws and 10 emulate each IN hior 10
hasten the good time coming 10 reduce our S eA-
pen.es both individual and corporate. TO buy less
and produce more in order 10 make Que FIRMS SELF
sustaining 10 diversity our crops, and crop no
more than we can cultivate. To conlense the weight
of exports selling less in the bIshel and more on
the hoof and in the fleece To systematize our work
and calculate intellpentiy on probabilities 10 dls-
cOuntenGnce tie credit system, the mortgage system
the fashion SYSTEM and every other system tending
10 prOgigality and baukTuptey-
We propose meeting together, talking together,
working together buying together, and IN general
acting together for cur mutual protection ana ad-
yancement, OCCASION may require we snail AVOID
litigation much possible By arbitration IN the
grange. We shall constantly strive 10 secure entire
harmony, good will vital brotherhood among our
selves and to make our order perpetual we shall
endeay0r 10 suppress perOnal local, sectional ana
national prrjuices, all unhealthy rivalry, all selfish
ambition EaiJhful adherence to th9se principles
will insure mental, moral, social and material
advancement
BUSINESS RELATIONS.
l. For our business interests we desire to bring
producers and oonsumers, farmers and manufacture
into the most direct ana friendly relations poSl-
bic. Hence We must dispense with surplus OF mid
demen, not that We are unfriendly TO them, but We
do not need them Their surplus and their exactions
diminish our profits.
interest whatever. On the contrary, all our acts
and all our efforts, so far business Is Concernad,
not only for the benefit of the producer and con-
sumer. but also for all other interests that tend 10
bring these two parties into speedy AMI economical
contact. Hence We hold that transportation compa-
MES o; every kind necessary 10 success, tat
their interests intimately connected with our In
terests and harmonious action Is mutually advan-
tagaous, keeping IN view the frst sentence in
declaration of principles OF action that Individual
happiness depends upon general prosperity"
We shall, therefore, advocate for every State the
increase every practicable way of all facilities for
home producers and consumers all the productions
of our country We adopt it our fixed purpose To
"Cpen out the channels in natures great arteries,
that the life blOoi Of commerce may How freely"
We are not enemies OF railroads, navigable and
irrigltng canals Of any corporation that will ad
vance our interests, any lah,ring classes
La our noble order there Is no communism, no
a;;rarianiSn-
We opposed TO such spirit and management Of
any corporation enterprise tends tu OppresS the
people and rob them Of their Just profits We are
not eneIns to capital, bnt oppose the tyranny Of
monopolies. We long to see the antasonism between
capital and labor removed by common consent, and
by an enlightened craftsmanship worthy OF the nine
teenth century We are opposed 10 excessive sala-
res, high rates of interest and eNorbtInt Per cent
profits in trade. They greatly increase our burdens
and do not bear proper proportion to the profits Of
prodncers. We desiIe only selfprotection and the
protection of every true interest Of land by let
innate transactions, legitimate trades and legitimate
profits.
EDUCATION.
We shall advocate the cause Of education among
ourselves and our children, by all Just within
our power. We especially advocate fOr our asricGl
tuIa and industrial colleges that practical ricul-
ture, domestic science and all the arts WHICH ado-n
the home, be tan=ht IN their courses Of study
THE GRANGE NOT PARTISAN.
5. We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft
repeated truth taught III organic law that the
grange, national state subordinate, not pOlIt-
zeal or party organization. No grange If true 10 its
tons, call political conventions nominate clndi-
a. ties nor even discuss their merits in its meetings
u tie principles teach unlerlIe all true poll
ties an ne craftsmanship, and if properly carried
out will tei. to purify the who'e polltica. atmOs
phere of our a. rntTy. For seek the greatest good
to the greatest u, 'nber
We must alWays 'ar IN mind Il at no one, by becOn
ing Patron of Hush udry, gives up that inalienIbe
rirhts and duty which belongs To every American
citizen take proper crest IN the politics OF lis
country
On the contrary, it is right r,r every member - do
all in his power egit!maeiy 10 I. .ience Ion gooI the
action of amy political party TO 'hIch he fe.on2s
II is his dUty to do all he IN Tn party To put
down bribery corruption and tric. 'ry' 10 see t't
none but competent, faithful and h, nest Iit, who
Will unfnch'Sly stan! by mluStl al interests,
are nominated ior all positions of trust I'd TO have
carried ont tie principles whch should alws vs. char
acterize every grange member that
rHE OFFICE SHOULD SEEK THE MAN, AND Not TIE
NAN IHE OFFICE
We acknowledge the bruad principle that differ I
ence of opinion is crime and hold that progress
toward truth Is male by differences of opinion, " |
while the fault lies in bitterness of cont oversey"
We desire "A proper equality, equity and fairne ;
protection for the weak restraint upon the strong
in Short justly distributed burdens and Justly DIS
tributed power these American iieis the very
essence of American Independence and 10 advocate
the contrary Is unworthy Of the sons and daughters
OF an American republic.
We cherish the belief that sectonalism IS and Of
right should be, dead and buried with the past Our
work Is for the present and the 1uture In our ag-
rlcul;ural brotherhood and its purposes nail
OgnIZe no North no South no East no West
1t Is reserv to every patron as the right of a |
freeman, to affiliate with any party that viii best
carry out his principles.
OUTSIDE COOPERATION
G. Ours being peculiarly farmers institution, We
cannot admit all to our ranks
Many are excluded by the nature of our organi-
pnfl thar.