Year: 1874

most direct and friendly relations possible
hence we must dispense with the SURPLUS of
middemen. We wage no aggressive warfare
against any other interests whatever; on the
contrary, all our acts and all our efforts, az far
rs business Is concerned, are not only for the
beneht OF producers and consumers, but also
for all other interests that tend to bring
these two parties into speedy and economical
contact. Hence we hold transportation com.
panieS of every kind are necessary to our sue
cess that their interests are intimately con.
nected with our interests, and harmonious
action is mutually advantageous, keeping in
view the first sentence in our declaration of
principles of action, that individual happiness
deepens our general prosperity. We shall
therefore advocate for every State increase in
every practicable way of all facilities for
transporting cheaply to the seabOard, or
between home producers and consumers, all
productions of our country. We are not
enemies of railroads, navIgable and irrigating
canals, nor of any corporations that will
advance our industrial interests, nor of any
laborlnR classes. In our noble order there is
no communism and no aggrarianism. We are
opposed to such spirit and management Of any
corporation or enterprise as tends to Oppress
people and rob them of our Just profits. We
are not enemies to capital, but We oppose the
tyranny OF monOpolies. We long to see the
antagoniSm between capital and labor removed
by common consent and by enlightened states
manship worthy of the nineteenth century.
! We are opposed to excessive salaries, high
rates of interest and exorbitant per centsge of
profits on trade, as they greatly increase our
burdens and do not bear proper proportion to
the profits of the producers. We desire only
sell protection aud protection of every true
interest offered by legitimate transactions,
legitimate trade, aud legitimate profits. We
shall advance the cause of education among
ourselves and for our children by all just means
within our power. We especially advocate for
our agricultural and industrial colleges that
practical agriculture, domestic science, and all
arts which adorn the home be taught in their
courses of study.


Fifth. We emphatically and sincerely assert
the oft repeated truth taught in our organic
law that the grange, natiOn1l, State, or subOr-
dInate, Is not political party organization.
No grange, 1t true to its obligations, can dis
cuss political or religious questions nor call
political cInventions c. nor nominate candidates,


nor discuss their merits its meeting. Yet


the principles We teach underis all true poll


tics, all true craftsmanship, aud 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.


But we must always bear it in mind that nc


one by becoming a grange member gives up


that inalienable right and duty which belong.


to every American citizen to take proper


interest in the politics of the country. On the


contrary, it is right for every member to do all


in his power legitimately to influence for good


the action OF any political party to which he
} belongs


Sixth. By the nature of our organization, il
being peculiarly farmers institution. we can


not admit all to our ranks. Many are excluded


not because they are professional men, or 4rti
sans, or labOrers, but because they have mo-


sufficiently direct interest in tilng or pastur
! ing the soil, or may have some interest in oon
tiict with our purposes but we appeal to al
good citizens for their cordial cooperation t,
Z assist us in our efforts toward reform, that w
may eventually remove from our midst the as
ve'tige of tyranny and corruption.


Seventh. 1t shall be an abiding principl
with US to relieve any of our oppressed ant
: suffering brotherhood by any means at ou
command.