The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-19
The True Purpose.
ZUMBRorA. Jan. 18th, 1877

Deor SRI read your article, head
ed every FOOLISH" with good deal Of
interest, as I do your editorials general
", and it seems to me you are right be-
yond dispute. The Order Of Patrons
Of Husbandry has no right to NEEDLE
with partizan politics, for the reason
that it is secret order, but it does not
follow that it will be incapable Of doing
good because of this restraint. On the
contrary, it can do great deal of good
as an educational institution, and can
thereby influence the politics of the
country materially, without word be-
ing said about politics in the grange
meetings.
Let me explain: The Order is a
brotherhood. One of its most potent
influences is to make it's members ac-
quainted with and friendly towards
each other; to dispose them to help
each other. Now, when brother Pa
irons meet outside of their grange halls
and get into conversation, it is with
far more friendly spirit. than would be
likely to exist between mere acquaint-
ances or neighbors. Hence, upon what
ever subject they talk, no matter what
may be their previous opinions or how
strong their prejudices, they treat each
others opinions with respect, refrain
from the use of offensive language, and
are willing to make allowances that
strangers will not make.
The consequence is that they ex-
change views, and each comes to appre-
ciate the train of thought by which the
other has arrived at the conclusions he
entertains, and each will probably dis
cover that his own opinions are, to a
considerable extent, the results of preju-
dice. In this way the barrier which
has kept them asunder is overthrown,
and a good understanding between them
is established. Instead of the republi-
can regarding his democratic neighbor
as an enemy, or vice versa, he comes to
look upon him as fellow-citizen hav-
ing the same patriotic aspirations as
himself, and being equally worthy.
But they both discover something far
more important. They find that in
their previous isolated condition they
have been taken advantage of and i'm
posed upon by INSCRIPTIONS and cum
ming political tricksters, who have kept
them opposed to each other for the pur-
pose Of using them to further their
own ignoble purposes. Just so long as
their prejudices could be worked upon
to make them the slaves of party, just
so long have their political acts been
such as party managers dictated; and,
of course, the result has been to enable
corrupt men to obtain control Of the
government and use it for their own
purposes and to the injury of the PEG.
pie generally.
The learning Of this lesson has tend.
ed greatly to weaken the hold of parties
upon the people, and this is one of the
good works already accomplished among
the agricultural classes by the oranges,
and it is very important work. AL
ready politicians have taken the alarm
So many of those whose corruption was
notorious have been refused further
honors, that the others have become fa1
more cautious if not more honest, and
as party claims are constantly growing
weaker, it is not likely that we shall
soon again witoess that abject submis
sion to corrupt politicians which has sc
long disgraced and injured the country
Before closing l want to commend
the course you are persuing. lndepend
ence Of party f:;ctation is the only true
policy for newspaper editor, and 20.
would be just as much Il party follower
;f VOL were to endorse the self .constitu
ted anti-moncpoly leaders, as if 20,
should advocate the claims Of the repub
l;cans or democrats. Continue to advo
cate correct principles with the assur
ance that, if the people can be convinc
ed of the truth of the principles po]iti
clans will not be slow in adopting ant
putting them IT. prac:'ce"
Yours Fraternallv,
A GRANGER.
Kenyon Letter.