The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-11-26

regard this new Organization as !,
vaiuao Die ally in this struggle for the
emancipation of the indnstrialinter5
ests OF the country from the despot.
ism of nionopolies. It is dealing
neavy blows in the fight, and can
not fail to accomplish mach good
| 1t - worthy the aid and ENCOURAGES
ment not only of farmers but of All
classes engaged in industrial pur-
SUITS Yet our organization. with
Its perfect system of State, COUNTY
and Subordinate Oranges, is regar-
oed as the great medium through
winch the ears and minds of the
masses IN the rural districts must be
reached and made to understand the
situation, and warned o fithe irnpen
ding danger. By request of the
National Anti-Monopoly League.
Judge Black drafted petition to
Congress praying for the Legislative
regulation of inter State Commerce
by railroads. The League kindly
offered to furnish copies of it to our
order for circulation for signatures
by Subordinate Oranges; and I di-
rectcd them to he sent out under
the endorsement of the National
Grange. [ submit this action to
you, and trust that you will take the
necessary steps to encourage Pa
irons everywhere TO interest them
selves in circulating them and car
rying out the recommendations of
the League. run1ssa 89yra adi g
/ Then let us, with renewed eour-
age, hope and perseverance, renew
every effort heretofore put forth,
and acknowledge, encourage and
utilize all the means and forces
which are being employed by other
classes to educate and enlighten the
people upon this subject, and in
duce Congress and State legisla-
lures to meet this question and for
ever settle it in fairness, protecting
equally the interests of the people
and the rights of the railroad COM
panies. s58sa heH sass l.nos
THE ORDER NOT PARTISAN aa
| have been asked to dcfire
| what class of political questions
may be discussed in the work of a
Subordinate Grange under the laws
of our Order?" This. matter has
been so closely defined by the con-
stitution and laws of the Order, that
further explanation seems unneces-
sary. Our constitution provides
Religious or political questions
will not be tolerated as subjects of
discussion in the work of the Order
and no political or religious tests for
membership shall be applied" In
our declaration of purposes
eve emphatically and sincerely
assert the oft-repeated truth taught
in our organic law, that the Grange
National, State or Subordinate
is not political or party organiza-
ton. No Grange if true to its ebli-
cations, can discuss political or re-
ligious questions, nor call political
conventions, nor nominate candi-
dates, nor even discuss their merits
in its meetings. sg7g s.af e# a
Yet the principles we teach I'M
derlie all true politics, all true
craftsmanship, and if properly car
rien out will tend to purify the
whole POLITICAL atmosphere of our
country, for we seek the greatest
good for the greatest number"
To the above the following decis-
ion of the National Grange was ad-
ded: "The word "political'' in the
constitution means partisan politics,
and does not include or refer to gen
eral questions of political economy"
AS members of the Grange belong
to all the different political parties
and religious denominations, to al
low questions to be discussed in the
Grange meeting of sectarian ma
ture would lead to discussions and
disintegration. Hence the Master
of the Grange must use due discre-
ton and protect the feelings and po-
litical or religious views and beliefs
of members from assault or undue
criticism.
The Order was never intended
and cannot be made to serve the
special interests of any party, yet to
| prohibit the discussion of all ques-
tons relating to public policy would
be to defeat some of the very objects
of the organization. There are ia
| vors which we need and reforms
which we seek which must be OBJ
tanned, if at all, through the legisla-
tive department of the Government
This can only be reached either
through the influence of public opin-
ion, by petition or the ballot box
We therefore claim the right to in
fluence public opinion by the dis
semination of documents, the circu
lation of journals devoted to our in
terests, and by public lectures.
We must discuss in the Grange
all questions relating to the farm and
the household. and all questions per-
tanning to the great public welfare
which are not strictly partisan in
their nature. But when we come
to political action and the ballot
box, we say to our members: Work
in the political parties to which yor
| belong, putting down bribery, cor
runtion and trickery, and see tha