The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-12
Cost Of Government.


caption we propose to consider some
of the principal features of our po-
litical make up" that we think may
be discussed through the grange, as
as a organization, without interfer-
ence with its tenets of faith or a
breach of obligations.
Industry, as I understand it, is the
keystone in the arch Of a govern
ments prosperity; without it struc-
tural form would be incomplete, for
it would have neither foundation nor
circumference, consequently no in
dividuality. Then, taking this stand
point as basis from which to start
out in our examination of the rela-
ton we sustain to the government,
and it to- us, we think that, we are
upon grounds that are debatable in
the oranges.
And, if we can make this point
once plain, there will be disclosed to
us the great field for labor which
is humanitarian and instructive; for
the two elements, primal in the con-
struction of our social and national
= fabric are: Labor, and its result
Capital. A philosopher determines
the solution of scientific problem
by analysis, or, tracing from effect
to cause for the motive power, and
when discovered, tells you the law
: or force governing in that part of
the economy which to you, from the
surface confirmation, appears strange
and enigmatical.
And, as with science in the ab-
stract, 50 with life, as we see it de-
veloped in the individual, the family
and the nation; the same sub-struct-
TIRE Of thought eliminates in the &C
ton of forces that build up each Of
these departments that are SO intri-
cately woven into the web of infinite
possibilities; so that we find that our
relation is co-existent with and par
allel to that plane Of thought. Then
we, being the embodied principal of
the infinite plan, by virtue Of our
intelligence, expressed through con-
scious form, the question comes
home to us for an answer: what are
we doing for ourselves?
Now, Mr.. Editor, it may be claim
ed by some Of your readers that we
are stepping out Of the practical In
to the speculative. We claim not.
We merely want to show that these
questions are all humanitarian when
viewed from the bedrock of human
circumstances, and, consequently,
stand pre-eminently higher than the
stuff and slum Of party growth, or
political intrigue, and forwhich rea-
son, may be handled by the organi-
cation which, in our mind, is the
only method left by which we can
purge ourselves Of the corruption
entailed upon us by reason of ou1
failing to comprehend the true ak
iom of life.
Then, starting again with the
question of labor, as the natural
process through which all the plan:
of Deity are reached, we ask why
its place being primitive, its interest:
should not be first to be considered!
For, if the true purposes of life are
made known 20 us, there is no othel
plan of growth or development, anc
that individual or power which take:
of the efforts of another, or of the
masses, without giving value receiv
ed, is simply 6lching from the right:
and enjoyments Of others, and, ii
time, will have to meet this infringe
ment with principal and interest; TO
we must ever keep in view this fact
that as nature, by an equilibrium
holds in harmony the laws governin!
matter in the physical realm, so, also
will she maintain the balance Of ;