The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-02

A friend who is a prominent officer
of the Patrons of Husbandry in this
State sends US the following memoran-
dunn: "A Detroit correspondent of
the New York Times, speaking of
Michigan politics, says "the Changers
are strong in this State, and have some
prominent men identified with the or
deIa Iatincluding ex State Senator Cyrus
q. Luce, OF Branch Co., ex-Speaker j.
J. Woodman, Of Van Buren Co., and
ex.State Senator j. Webster Childs OF
Washtenaw); but it is understood that
they will present no candidate in con-
nected with the Governorship, prefer
ring, il is inferred, to secure such rep
resentation as they eau command IL
Congress. The same correspondent
also SAYS that James NJ. Neasmith, q
substantial and popular farmer OF
Schoolcraft, who has already served
two terms in the State Senate, will be
a candidate for the Republican nomin-
alton for COMMISSIONER Of the State
L and Office"
Our friend assures us that, while
these eminent citizens may he ayaila-
bile for Office, aud would undoubtedly
serve the public well in any position to
which they are likely TO be called, yet
they will be true to the Granger plat
form, which substantially disapproves
active Office seeking. We have intend
ed for many weeks TO take some favor
able opportunity of presenting tho
principles of the Patrons Of Husband
ry-pow become q great power in the
land so far as they relate to our sa-
tional politics, and 10 not know that
We can do 80 better than in this con
nection. They seem 10 us very excel
lent, and III the main we should be
glad tn see them the motive principles
of all men in both parties. We extract
from lbe Declaration 81 Purposes ::of
the National Grange, adopted Febru-
AIRY IL, 1874:
}. We emphatically aud sincerely
assert the oft-repeated truth taught in
our organic law, that the Grange, Ma
tional, State or Subordinate, is not a
political or party organization. No
Grange, IL true to its obligations, Can
discuss political or religious questions,
nor call political conventions. nor nom
inato candidates, nor even discuss their
merits iu its meetings. Yet the princi-
plies we teach uLderlie all true politics,
all true statesmanship, and, il properly
carried out. will tend TO purity the
whole political atmosphere Of our conn.
try. For we seek the greatest good 10
the greatest numder.
We must always bear in mind that
no one, becoming q Patron OF Hus
bandry, gives up that inalienable right
and duty which belongs to every Amer.
ican citizen, to take q proper interest
in the politics OF his country. On the
contrary. it is the right for every mem.
bsr to do all in his power legitini stely
to infuance for good the action Of any
political party To which he belongs.
Ii is his duty to do all he can in his
own party To put down bibery, corrup
ton, and trickery: TO see that none
but competent, faithful, and honest
men, who will unpinchingly stand by
our industrial interests, are nominated
for all positions OF trust; and to have
carried out the principle which should
always characterize every Patron, that
the Office should seek the man, rnd not
| the man the Office.
We acknowledge tue broad principle
tuat uluefence Vi OpluiOu is no cflule
and hold that progress toward truth il
made by difference Of opinion" while
"the fault lies in bitterness OF contro
versy." We desire proper equality
equity, and fairness: protection til,
weak; restraint upon the strong; il
short, Justly distributed burdens ant
Justly distributed power. These are
| American ideas, the very essence oi
American independence. and to advo
cate the contrary is unworthy Of th'
sons and daughters Of an American
republic.
We cherish the belief that sectional
ism is. and of right should be. dsat
and buried with the past. Our worl
is for the present and the future. Ii
our agricultural brotherhood and IL
purposes we shall recognize no North
no South, no East, no West.
ID is reserved 10y every Patron. a
the right OF freeman, 10 affiliate witt
any party that will best carry out hi
principles. Kalamazoo Telegraph.