The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-12-18
THE NATIONAL GRANGE.
Twelfth session.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

DECLAkAFIDN OF PRINCIPLES.
The following is the declaration Of
principles which were passed by tie
Grange Friday night:
We, the members of the National
Grange, desiring to define the precise
1 objects of the Order of Patrons of Hus-
bandry, and place them before the mem
/ bershlp of the order throughout the
+ Union, do hereby set forth the following
proposition with our distinct declaration
OF purpose relating thereto:
! The industry upon which our order is
based Is agrculture-the most impor-
tant of all industries-the founda-
ton and support of all others-the
true basis of all our national prosperi-
| ty. We have observed the condition
of our people, and viewed with alarm
| the encroachments upon their natural
rights. While agriculture is the chief
source of all wealth, and therefore de-
serving of at least equal recognition with
other vacations, it is deprived of its lust
rewards and oppressed by methods of
law. 1t is made to bear grievous bur
dens not its own it is compelled to pay
taxes which an equitable distribution
would place elsewhere; it is forced by
wicked combinations to submit to hurt
full determinations against its products
both IN transportation and in the marts
OF sale; It's votaries have been and are
now denied that consideration in public
affairs to which the magnitude aud the
importance of their calling enttle them
The laws of the nation and of the several
States are so framed as to divert from
on l,, 4, -. II
are the great incentives to toll, and an
earnest remonstrance against their in
justice spurned.
In view Of these truths we are bound,
in defence of our manhood, to assert our
rights, and we therefore declare our un-
alterable purpose to emancipate agricul-
ture from the burdens unjustly heaped
upon it, and the means by which we shall
seek to secure the desirable ends
l. We shall strive earnestly, within and
without our order, to extend the benefits
OF education, which shall comprise knowl-
edge of public affairs and the methods of
selt-government.
2. We shall demand admission in the
Legislatures Of the several States, and in
both houses of the National Congress,
for representatives of agriculture chosen
directly from its votaries, as the only
means of relief.
3. We shall accord to other industries
all the rights, privileges and immunities,
which we claim for our own, and join
with their representatives in earnest en-
deavors to i'm press upon the Government
of States and nations habits of wise
economy and frugality as essential to the
thrift and prosperity of all the people.
4. We shall give constant care and
attention to the public schools, in which
the youth of the nation are deeply inter
ested, limiting expenditures therefor on
ly by their usefulness, striving always for
that higher and practicable enlighten-
ment which should become the distin-
gushing feature of a free people.
After the above had been adopted the
following was also presented and passed:
In accordance with the above objects
of our organization, and the methods by
which they are to be obtained, we pledge
our unylelding devotion to the work
marked out. We believe the principles
enunciated in our declaration are in full
accord with the highest welfare of our
country, and that they deserve support,
especially by all farmers The history
of agriculture on this continent shows
that no organization in its behalf has ever
been attempted without direct effort on
the part of those who prey upon its pro-
ducts to neutralize the work; and the les
sons of the past establish the conviction
that our only hope is in full and cordial
cooperation of farmers, wherever loca-
ted, to insure that success which is with
in their grasp,
We appeal, therefore, to good men and
women, whose interests are our own, to
join their efforts with ours, confident that,
with their support, we shall not wait long
for the consummation of our hopes. We
appeal to the agricultural journals of the
land, asking their great influence in aid
of the above object, as potent means for
the attainment Of great object. To
these forces and to the intelligence of our
people we present the purposes which
animate many thousand of farmers in
every State Of our Union, and reverent-
ly trust in the direction of the wise Prov
idence by whose decree we were made
tillers Of the soil, that our efforts may be
rewarded by the full accomplishment of
the measurers which justice demands in
the relief of an oppressed industry and
the higher enlightenment of its vota-
ries.