Milford chronicle., 1920-07-09
NATIONAL GRANGE
TURNS DOWN LABOR
REFUSES TO JOIN ANY COMBINATION
OF POLITICAL FARM-UNI0N IN
TERESTS.
CONDEMNS CLASS APPEAL
DENOUNCES RADICAL LEADERSHIP SEEK
ING CHANGES DETRIMENTAL TO TRUE
AMERICANISM AND GOVERNMENT.

The National Grange issued an an
nouncement last Friday of its absO-
lutte refusal to engage in partisan pol
itics or enter into cooperation rela-
tionship with any labor or other or
ganizations seeking political results.
The statement, signed by T. c. At
keson. Washington representative Of
the, Grange, and A. NJ. Loomis. it's
Secretary, represents the position of
the older and more conservative ma
tional agricultural organization as Op-
posed to The newer and more radical
agrarian bodies which have been urg-
ing affiliation and cooperation with
labor unions and the entry of the far
mers' associations into partisan poll
tics.
During the last week." the an
nOuncement reads: "The Washington
Office of the National Grange has been
called on several times to take part
in political contests. either where
present members of Congress are be-
ing opposed by sO-called farmer-labor
coalitions or are being favored by
farm organizations. To all such calls
there is only one reply, and this state
ment is issued so that there may be
no possibility of misunderstanding
The Grange, whether in its sub
ordinate bodies, its county, or its
State, or its national organization.
does not participate in partisan poll
tics. The organic law of the Grange
prohibits a Grange from taking part
in political nominations or during its
sessions discussing political candi-
dates. This organic law governs the
National Grange as well as the small
lest subordinate Grange. 1t applies to
the Grange in any and every organiz-
ed form and to every Grange officer
acting in a Grange capacity.
Guided by a clear understanding of
this rule of conduct the Grange has
refused to enter into cooperation re-
latiOnship with other organizations
seeking political results or with any
labor organization. There are two
reasons for this: First, the principle
of refraining from political activities;
second, the clear belief of the Grange
that just at this time labor organiza-
tions are guided by narrow motives
of class selishness and led by radical
leaders seeking political changes det-
rimental to the principles of our Gov
ernment and to what the Grange con-
cefVes to be true Americanism.
"The principle upon which the
Grange rule is based in this political
action should grow out of unselfish
consideration for the greatest good to
the whole people; not the selfish inter
ests of a class or group. The Grange,
as an organization, therefore, refrains
from joining any partisan appeal, or
any group coalition, and is opposed /
to principles and to candidates for /
any purpose other than the best i'm /
terests of the whole public.
Least of all will the Grange enter /
into the most Objectionable of all pO-
litical activities, the dealing and dick
ering between the parties. threaten
ing class opposition, or playing one
against the other, with the promise of
influencing votes in large locks to the
party or the candidates who promise
them most That form of partisan
ship is the opposite of the principle
which actuates the Grange-'the
greatest good of the greatest number
1t is deliberately calculated for the
special benefit of the best organized
The Grange as an organiza-
tion refuses to be drawn into partisan
politics. It's individuals are left free
and are urged by every teaching of
the order to exercise every privilege
and every duty of citizenship. and to
do so in freedom, guided by their own
individual judgment.
"a newer generation. not familiar
with the history of the ground swell
of the 7O's or the Farmers Alliance
Of the sos, is now active in public af- {
fairs. This wave of farmer activity in
politics, which is now at its crest. is
neither novel or different. The Grange {
has lived through two such expert
ences, witness the rise and wane of ]
It's efforts, measured their results, and
has seen its own organizations and
weakened by the failure
20 achieve anything tangible. 1t is :
sound Judgment, based on the wis !
innn of the mast that keens the
Grange out of politics now. History i
proves that the fraternal, educational, +
social and cooperative efforts of the !
Grange win far more for country peo- I
Die and country life than political ac- s
ivity or political Office. For fifty-three +
'ears the Grange has fought for wise !
egislation, for sound policies of gov
,rnment and for honest and econOmi- 4
al administration, willing to let the :
electors of the nation choose the men il
o make and administer the laws n
Without the attempted domination of 8
ny class, clique or group of the cit Y
zenship." o