The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-06-12
The Landmarks of the Grange
Monthly Talk for Nav


that every human institution which has
perpe uated itself, and made itself felt
and recognized in the world as a strong
power and influence, has established
some distinctive ideas at the start, and
adhered closely to these ideas through all
their struggles for existence and recogni-
ton.
Some Of the grand old bodies which
have come down through the ages hon
orable in song and story to our own time,
have exactly the same ideas and exactly
the same ceremonies to-day which they
had when they were instituted thousands
of years ago The Masonic body is a
notable example Of how strongly ancient
ideas and rites and ceremonies (when
sacredly adhered to- bind men together
and aid them to WELD power and infu-
ence. King solomon spoke to his lodge
the same words to bind them together in
brotherly love and good feeling that the
mason Of to day uses.
Here is grand lesson for us to profit
by. Our Brothers in the early DAYS of
the Grange put forth to the world De
claratiOn Of Principles, couched in grand
language and teaching lessons Of frater-
nal good will and mutual help and point
ed out the landmarks for our guidance and
the breakers to avoid, in such marked
and torcible sentences that we can be
justly proud Of our great Magma Char
ia"
We cannot read and re-read this grand
document too otten--for it is our own
beacon light pointing to the desired ha-
ven. II we forget not its wise maxims
and follow its teachings the calling OF
the farmer will be elevated in the world
and we shall beproud to till the soil as the
noblest and most useful occupation among
men, and we may add the most certainly
profitable Of all others, when we learn to
combine as we ought.
GrandIy does this bugle call to the
yeomanry of America set forth the whole
practical philosophy of elevating the call
ING Of the husbandman and the means of
improving his condition, morally, social
", politically aud financially. In seven
clauses, pearls Of ideas are clothed in
golden words, starting with the corner
stone, United by the strong and faith
full tie Of Agriculture, we mutually re-
solve to labor for the good Of our order,
our country and mankind"
Then come the lessons Of thrift, econO-
my and prudent business management
the gradual unfolding of that magnih-
cent system Of cooperation which will
some day be the archimedean lever which
shall move the world->-the teachings
which do away with litigation, sectional
hatred and local strife-which bring con
sumner producer face to face-which look
to opening the grand natural arteries of
commerce and cheapening transportation
which will bring down high salaries
ami high profits, and yet loathes and
despises agragrianism and communism
which hold out fostering hand to gen
erai education, especially in practical
agriculture.
X Here too is taught, in plain terms,
that no Grange, if true to its obligations
can discuss political questions nor call
political conventions, nor nominate candi-
dates, nor even discuss their merits in its
meetings. Yet here tee the citizen is
taught to do his whole duty by trying to
influence for good the political party to
which each Patron belongs, but to keep
his politics out OF the Grange, for the
true farmers of all political parties ought
to become Patrons, restingassured that
the Grange will not in any respect inter
tere with their party views,
just now there are plenty of aspiring
patriots in every county in the State who
would fain persuade our order that its
mission is political, who would like Elk
ceedingly well to use the Grange to get
them an office. These djsintere8ted Of
fice-seekers are bowling terribly about
rising aboce party and reforming the
government, when the truth is that most
of them would kill the Grange, dead as
Hector, if they could get office thereby.
To prevent such unworthy Patrons as
these from Decorating our noble Order
to party purposes this anti-political rule
was laid down; and truly wise is that
Master who enfOrces it to the letter, and
stops party strife from entering our peace
ful halls.
Again, it is taught that while we can
not admit any but farmers to become
members of our order, yet we are not in
antagonism or untriendly to any other
honest trade or calling but wish to CO.
operate with all good men to benefit the
world. Last but not least lcomdn is
given an equal place in our midst, and
practical experience has proved this TO
be successful innovation on the usage
OF past time Nothing has made our
growing prosperity so pleasant as the
presence of ladies at our meetings. 1t
has toned down the asperities of debate
elevated our ideas and our speech, and
made us hopeful when sometimes de
spondent. "Esto Perpetua, Is the cry
OF all good patrons of this feature.
In conclusion, after careful study of
this documents for years, we say consci-
A, E.t IN, >,
Of purposes, we cannot see one idea or
word that could be altered for the better.
and we cannot see single one that could
be added 10 perfect and complete this
Landmark Of the Grange" Let it go
down to the future as the perfected wis
dom of all Tillers of the Soil in combin-
ing together for their own good, the good
of our country and all mankind.
We publish by request the above article
from the May mum Der OF the Monthly Talk.
Were our columns less crowded would
publish the Declaration of Purposes as set
forth by the National Grange. We dissent
entirely from the position that the Grange
cannot discuss political questions. In this
opinion are backed by the action of every
National Grange that has ever had an exist
ence. Every State. County and SubOrdi-
nate Grange that has ever made a report.
in Digest, issued by the National Grange in
1S77, on page 10. sec. :, we find. The word
ipolitics in the constitution means partisan
politics, and does not include or refer to gen
eral questions of political economy De-
ciSion ll2
This ends the discussion. Any Grange
can discuss any merely political question it
sees proper. Partisan politics are alone pro-
hibited and any other construction is not
only contrary TO law but practice as WE'LL
Journal OF Agriculture.
OEtibbeha County stock Raising.
StarksYiIle Times