The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-24


try and mankind.' Under the head
Of "Specilic Objects,' we find in para
graph ) some useful hints on rational
agriculture and business co.opera-
ton. In paragraph 1 we find lucid
explanation Of our "Business Rela-
tions," showing that we desire no
anta9onisms Of any kind; that while
''wc are not enemies of railroads,
navigablc and irrigating canals, nor
OF any corporation that will advance
our Industrial interests" eve are
opposed to such spirit and manage
ment of any corporation or enter
prise that tends to Cypress the peo-
pic and rob them Of their just profits.
we are not enemies to capital, but
we oppose the tyranny Of monopolies.
we long to sec the antagonism be-
tween capital aad labor removed by
common consent, and by an cnlight.
ened statesmanship worthy Of the
nineteenth century"
In same paragraph, under the head
Of "Education," occurs the following ::
'Wc shall advance the cause Of cdu-
cation among ourselves and for our
children, by all just means in our
power. We especially advocate for
agricultural and industrial colleges
that practical agriculture, domestic
science, and all the arts which adorn
the home, he taught in their course
Of study"
lii the 9th paragraph, under the
caption "Ihc Grange not Partisan,'
is the following: eve cmphatically
and sincerely assert the oft repeated
truth, taught in our organic law, that
the Grange-Na ational, State or Subor-
dinatc-is not a political or party or
ganization. No Grange, if true to
It's obligations, can discuss political
or religious questions, nor call po.
litical conventions, nor nominate can
didaCcs, nor even discuss their merits
in its Meetings.
The improper construction placed
upon this paragraph by many has re.
tarded to some extent the work of
our Order. The National Grange,
IN order to make this SO plain that
no mistake would be likely to be
made, struck out the words "political
OF rcligious' where they occur in
"Ihe Declaration Of Purposes" and
inserted in their stead the words
party or sectarian." by formal
resolution it also made the proLcc
tive tariff question, which has always
been party political question, le.
gitimatc subject Cor discussion in the
Grange; thereby clearly showing that
it does not propose to prevent mem.
bcrs Ct the Order from investigating
any and all questions. | DO not un.
deratand that ''party questions used
In this connection to be the qucs-
tlons upon which great political par
ties Of tho country may differ, such as
transportation, the protective tariff,
currency, etc, etc. If this were the
true construction to be placed upon
our organic law, We could discuss no
question OF a public nature, as they
arc all political-evcn working a
road, building bridge, or levying a
county tax, Paley says: "Political
economy is the administrator Of the
revenues Of a nation, or the manage.
mcnt and regulation Of its resources
and productive property and labor;
also the science which treats ofthcse
subjects"
The restriction intended by this
paragraph is to prevent thc Grange
from ever becoming q political party,
This is surely Il very wise provision
and should always be strictly ad.
hcrcd to.
A national farmers organization
without The power to discuss the DO.
lltical rights Of it's members. would
be farce beneath the dignity Of in
tclligent men. The farmers want an
organization that viii use it's influ-
cncc upon Tie Legislatures, State and
National, to protect their interests,
Just as other class organizations pro-
tect the rights Of their members; and
no organization can long maintain
standing with them if it does not rem
der such assistance.
Among the first acts Of the Order
was the agitation Of tie question of
regulating the power OF transporta-
tlon companies. In nearly every an.
nual address Of my predecessors. at.
tcntion has been called to the cxac-
lions Of monopolics, and the neccssi-
ty for Legislative control to prevent
their determinations and Injustice.
III