The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-09

aside from the mental amusement that
may be derived from a half hours read
ing upon those subjects on some rainy
day.
I ask again what is the information
that the Minnesota Patron is most de-
sirous of obtaining? Of what does he
most desire to hear? I answer:-that
which most effects his material inter-
ests.
1st He wants to know when and
how, to dispose of his redundant prod.
ucts, to the best advantage.
I'd How and where to find the cheap
est market in which to supply his press
ing wants, out of what has been left
him by the greedy spectators.
Sd. He wants to know by what Iegiti-
mate means'he can lift the burden of tax
alton, laid so largely upon his shoulders;
to the end that the law may BE- equal
lied, and as Jefferson said, that "labor
might be lightly burdened."
These are paramount to every other
material consideration. l know Of but
two remedies.
lst. Association for information and
cooperation.
2. Political Action.
l, as a Patron, am politician. Not
a politician in IN oditus sense-not as
Patron, trying to build and strengthen,
any of the old Evolutionary parties of the
past. Perhaps mil ht rather say,
advocate what is polite and econo-
mic-that which pertains to our mate
rial intrests-that effects our rights as a
class and calling. Some fear that the
Grange may become political. In my
early youth there sprang up political
party, that made war upon one of the
oldest institutions of the world. An in
s5itution that had withstood for unknown
centuries the shock of revolutions, and
the rise and fall Of dynasties. Purity Of
character, eminence in learning and abil-
ity, prominence as citizens, or patriotic
devotion to country, were no protection
to its members, against the fanatical
and uncharitable assaults of it's oppo-
nents.
The ban of prescription was put up
on every individual member of the order.
They were to be precluded from every
political position Of honor or profit.
If there is an Order in the world that
is not political, it is that of Masonry.
No candidate for public Office is nomi-
mated within its secluded walls--no par
tvs claims are advocated or denounced.
But what political action did the assail-
ed institution take? Did they vote for
their opponents? They went to the
polls, and like consistent men voluntar-
lily, intuitively, and unanimously voted
against their opponents; and many 9TH
er good men co-operated with them.
The union of their assallants, had unit
ed them, and they acted together for
self protection. Can you learn a lesson
from the past?
To have your opponents respect you
you must make them fear you, for fear
is the only remedy that will efectually
operate on the selfish, the uncharitable,
the INSCRIPTIONS. Make your power
felt.
Summers great argument in favor of
extending the ballot to the freedmen
was that they might protect themselves.
Brothers, you have the ballot, use it for
the same purpose. Let me ask you,
are you as wise as your opponents?
Are you as party ignoring as your ad-
versaries?
need not 90 to the great commercial
cities of our common country. New
York, Boston, Philadelphia, OF Chicago,
for noticeable examples to convince you
Of the sel6shness Of the moneyed inter-
ests, and of their complete abnegation
Of party. l will cite you only to our neigh
boring city Of St. Paul, where live the
Railroad Kings Of our State. A State
Senator is wanted to counterfeit the in
fuence Of the "Grangers." The very
chief of the railroad interests is selected
and triumphantly elected by the vote Of
all parties. Two years pass blythe
term of a Senator-another is select
ed and elected without even a show Of
opposition, and in "A city, too, where
party spirit is as rampant as in any part
of the State. What does it mean? It
means that the interests Of commerce.
traffic, speculation, monopoly are para
mount to party considerations. Broth
er farmers, I ask you again, are you as
party-ignoring rs Chamber of CON-
merce? Are you as wise as your op-
ponents?
American farmers! You and your
ancestry have hewn your way, from the
rocky shores of the Atlantic to the fer
tile prairies of the Great Valley; nay,
our brothers have climbed the Rocky
Mountains, and are spreading for hun
dreds Of miles along the Pacific coast.
Are we less potent, are we of less con-
sequence than our ancestors Of a hum
dred years ago? 1t was then country
of farmers, governed by farmers, with Il
farmer for its President Do not, be-
seech you, resign without a struggle,