The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-16

no topics that we may discuss in the
grange? Far from it. If anything
there are too many if we had less of
them it would be better, if we had none
we should need no grange. 1t is the
need of discussing topics, in which our
true interests are involved, that gave
birth to our noble Order, and it is
through this channel we must seek light
and knowledge; therefore, it is to our
interest to know what is the nature and
form Of our government and what is its
proper function. It is our interest to
know our relative position to our gov
eminent. What it exacts from us and
what we have right to receive in re-
turn. Governments are necessary evils,
yet it is unfortunate they have their
prescribed limits. The best govern
ment is that which gives the most and
takes the least. The worst government
is that which takes the most, and gives
the least. Every citizen that yields
obedience to and fulfills the just com
mands Of his government, is entitled to
full protection by his government in
his life, liberty, persuit of happiness
and private property. When a govern
ment fails to do this, it is the inaialen-
able right of every citizen, so unpro-
tected, to protect himself. Again in
reading the Declaration of Independ-
ence, we find these words: eve hold
these truths to be self evident that all
men are created equal.' If then we
are created equal, should we not be
served equal before the law, or would
it be criminal offence if we should de-
mand equal protection by our govern
ment? Here is topic for discussion
in or out Of the grange.
AS this is only preface. Let US pro-
coed to point out, at least, some topics
which we may discuss in the grange, if
we leave out partizan politics, religion
and nationality. The rest of the field
is open. We may discuss any topic ef-
fecting our interests Or well being as
patrons, farmers, or citizens; we may
discuss the official acts Of any officer,
from the highest to the lowest; we may
discuss any law we deem unjust and op-
pressive; we may discuss the finance
question, the tariff and all tax ques-
tions; the transportation, patent laws
and civil service questions; the banking
system, or any other system or question
that stands between US ana justice.
The grange is school and the afore-
said topics are problems that we need
to solve, in order that may we vote intelli-
gently at the ballot box. Besides dis
cussing political economy we may dis
cuss the science Of farming, the proprie-
ty Of c-oco-operative buying and selling
and operative action in it's broadcast
for our advancement, socially, morally,
mentally, politically and financially, as
patrons and citizens. In this preface,
however imperfec:ly pointed out what
we may and may not discuss in the sense,
grange, many topics are omitted at
present that falls within our province
to discuss in the grange.
Worthy Master, there is topic forced
upon US, which deem my duty to
bring before this grange, because we
are deeply interested. It is topic that
will hardly bear the strain of discussion.
1t is too one-sided to admit of it. I
have reference to the city council of
the city Of Red Wing, imposing an op-
pressive tariff upon the wood haulers Of
Pierce county Wisconsin, under the
plea of measuring their wood. Let US
look into this not as lawyers, but a.
farmers, and see whether or not it is
not precedent which, if carried out,
will effect each Of US as farmers.
So far as l can learn some one or
more of the wood-haulers OF Pierce
county, Wisconsin, have been sued and
brought before court Us criminals.
either because they refused to have
their wood measured or refused to pay
for the same by Il person appointed by
the city council. II I am rightly in
formed, an appeal is made to a higher
court, to try the constitutionality of this
city made law. If II higher court sus-
tains this law, IN l the council enforces
It, it will be a heavy blow against the