Year: 1873

and the people; that the only way
to bring about reform in politics and
to secure honest officials is to turn
over the Offices to the Changers, who
are of course immaculate, and have
an exclusive patent upon honesty.
Let US see now upon what substantial
foundation all these claims are
based. We want to know whether
this party will fulfill the promises it
is making; whether it will carry out
the principles expressed in its plat
form. We wantto know what secur-
ity it can give for its good behavior
fit should be succe4ful at the polls !;
and we know of nb better way Of
judging Of its hon esty in the future
than by its short past. Has its action
thus far been consistent with its pro-
fessions? When the Grange Order
was growing, its leaders and teachers
assured the people that it would have
nothing to do with politics-that it
could not without a violation of its
constitution. But when it grew
older and stronger, and they thought
they had the power to do as they
pleased, they pulled off their false
faces, stripped the Grange of the
mask which had hidden its base po-
litical designs, and revealed it in its
true character as political party.
Smooth it over and whitewash it as
much as possible, and yet the fact
is beyond dispute that the Changers
in this County who assited in making
a ticket, or connived at such action,
have violated not only the pledges
made to the people and their breth-
rem, but their National Constitution.
They have disgraced their Order in
the eyes of the people, entirely stop
ped it's growth and ruined its infiu-
ence and prospects. The following
circular, sent out by the State Grange
reveals the ridiculous position in
which the Order is placed in this
County:


Iowa STATE GRANGE, p. OF II.


OFFICE OF MASTER,


CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia, Sept. g., 1873.


Information has been received by
the Executive Committee that sew
eral Oranges in certain PORTIONS Of
the State have made Grange
nominations for county Offices
using the order for such
purpose, in direct violation Of Ar IT,
Gle XII of the National Constitu-
ton. While we recognize the duty
of every good Patron to exercise his
rights of citizenship in wise and in
telligent manner, yet to use the Or
der and our organization for the pur-
pose Of partizan politics is, in the
opinion of the Executive Committee,
in direct violation of fundamental
law of our Order, and productive of
serious and potent evil. Therefore,


Resolced, That the brothers con-
stituting the Oranges taking such
action be requested to take immedi-
diate steps to remedy the error into
which they have been led, and we
ask them to do this in fraternal kind
ness at the same time they should
understand that it will be the duty
of the Executive Committee to rec
ommend to the Master of the Nation
al Grange the revocation Of the chart
ers of such offending Oranges, If any
further steps are taken in that direc-
ton.


Done by order of the Executive
Committee of the State Grange.


A. B. SMEDLEY, Master,


SPENCER DAY, Secretary.


Here is abundant proof of the ny.
pocrisy of those who are 80 loud
in their professions Of honesty
disinterested political integrity. If
this is Grangs honesty, away with 1t.
II these men and this party prove
thus corrupt and unreliable, IL they
thus early prove false to their pledg-
es, their friends, their Order and
it's constitution, thus early and shame
fully sacrifice honor and truth in a
scramble for the official loaves, how
can they expect the people to- trust
them? Can we anticipate that in
case they succeed at the polls they
will administer the affairs Of the peo-
pie any more honestly than they
have their own affairs? Shall their
past acts or their promises be taken
rs an index to their future conduct?
They admit that the Grange order
has committed an error in becoming
a political party, and tell us that af-
ter this year it will reform. The
Grange has been prostituted in order
to help its leaders into political pow
er, but hereafter it will be virtuous.


In February last the Democrat said:
"The Treasurer, Mr.. Baker, was on
the point of repaying the money to
the individual taxpayers as fast as
Al 81 hn