San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-10-06

tes0s " Aut0xueeS auu o1uOSUStaAe P0k
cent. profits in trade. They greatly
increase our burdens, and do not bear
. proper proportion TO the profits Of
producers. We desire only self.pro.
lection and the protection Of every true
interest Of our land by legitimate trans
actions. Legitimate trade and Legitimate
profits.
EDUCATION.
We shall advocate the cause Of edu.
cation among ourselves and for our
children, by al just means within our
power. We especially advocate for our
agricultural and industrial colleges. that
practical agriculture, domestic science
and all the arts which adorn the home,
be caught In thoir course Of study.
T. THE GRANGE NOT PARTISAN.
3. We emphatically and sincerely g.
sert the oft-repeated truth taught in our
organic law, that the Grange, National,
State, or Subordinate, is not political
or party organization. No Grange, II
true to its obligations, can discuss polit-
ical or religious questions, nor call polit-
ical conventions, nor nominate candi-
dates, nor even discuss their merits in
its meetings.
Yet the principles we teach underlie
all true politics, al true statesmanship
and if properly carried out will tend to
purify the whole political atmosphere
Of our country. For we seek the greatest
good to the greatest number.
We must always bear in mind that no
one, by becoming q Patron of Husband
ry, gives up that inalienable right and
duty which belongs to every American
citizen, to take proper interest in the
politics Of his country.
On the contrary, 1t is right for every
member to do all in his power legiti-
mately, to influence for good the action
Of any political party to which he be-
longs. 1t is his duty to do all he can
in his own party to put down bribery,
corruption and trickery; to see that
none but competent, faithful, and hon.
est men, who will uudinchingly stand
by our industrial interests, are nomi-
mated for all positions of trust; and to
have carried out the principle which
should always characterize every Patron,
that
THE OFFICE SHOULD SEEK THE MAN, AND
NOT THE MAN THE OFFICE.
We acknowledge the broad principle
that difference Of opinion is no crime,
and hold that progress toward truth is
made by differences of opinion" while
"the fault lies in the bitterness of con.
troversy."
We desire proper equality, equity
and fairness; protection for the weak,
restraint upon the strong; in short,
justly distributed burdens, and justly
distributed power. These are Ameri:
can ideas, the very essence of Ameri-
can independence, and to advocate the
contrary is unworthy Of the sons and
daughters of an American republic.
We cherish the belief that sectional
ism is, and of right should be dead and
buried with the past Our work is for
the present and the future. In our
agricultural brotherhood and its pur-
poses we shall recognize no North, NO
South, no East, no West.
1t is reserved by every Patron, as the
right of freeman, to affiliate with any
party that will best carry out his prin.
ciples.
OUTSIDE COOPERATION.
G. Ours being peculiarly a farmers
institution, we cannot admit all to oul
ranks.
Many are excluded by the nature Of
our organization, not because they are
professional men, or artizans, or labor.
ers, but because they have not a sufi.
cient direct interest in tilling the soil,
or may have some interest in conflict
with our purposes. But we appeal to
all good citizens for their cordial co.
operation to assist in our efforts toward
reform, that we may eventually remove
from our midst, the last vestige of tyr.
amy and corruption.
We hail the general desire for frater.
nal harmony, equitable compromises,
earnest cooperation, Is an omen Of our
future success.
CONCLUSION.