Year: 1873

those interested in the question. Thi
is principle long since establishe,


by all writers on political economy
and it has been bred into our bones
So soon as it is proclaimed that tn


Patrons have determined on a sepa
rate political organization, there will
arise storm of opposition hereto
fore not dreamed OF in our philoso
ply.


AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION.


Many good and conscientious mer
have carefully gone into this organ.
ization with the positive assurance
both of officers and the constitution
that politics could not and should
not be introduced into Its discuss
Ions. A violation of this instrument
and OF these pledges at this stage Of
the contest, will meet with positive
and determined opposition, and will
raise a war within its own gates,
which will destroy its harmony, and
defeat the object of its own founda-
ton. All loyal Patrons can take no
other course than to oppose any
such a movement. Its rashness and
inconsistency will disgust men who
profess to act from principle. They
cannot, and keep within their hearts
that devotion of solemn vows which
they have made, otherwise than op-
pose all political action in the
Oranges.


ALIENATION OF PARTIES.


The most serious consequence to
the Patrons, If they plunge into a
separate political action, will be the
alienation of both the Republican
and Democratic parties. When they
once launch their political barque
they will have no right to expect fa-
vors from those parties-but, on the
contrary, the most determined opos-
ition on the stump, in the press, at
the polls, and in the halls of legisla-
ton. The Republican party has
too glorious record, and has saved
the people in too many hard fought
battles to surrender the fields to any
party or fraction with but one plank
in their platform. Many Patrons,
will never, in violation of their
former pledges, abandon the proud
banner of the Republican party, to
follow the lead of few such men
who hope for preferment and honor
by the disruption of party which
has saved the country from rebellion
and the public treasury from pillage.
This, too, will cause diversion in the
ranks of the new movement.


A GRANGE TICKET.


The rash and inconsiderate of the
Patrons are now demanding clamor:
ously for rushing headlong into
pollti IS, and for nominating separate
State and County tickets. There
is cause for this, in their estimation.
There are interested elements which
are tanning the flames, and feeding
the fires, which, if their counsels
prevail, will soon engulf the whole
organization in ruins. The calm and
reasonable-those, who, from past
history can see the end from the be.
ginning of this suicidal policy, will
resolutely refuse to take any part or
lot In the matter. a Adhering Loyalty
to the Constitution of the Order.
they will wash their hands of all
participation in the political nomina-
tions as Patrons. Thousand of
dollars, in the hands of the sbrewd-
est political managers, are operating
to throw dissension into the ranks
distract and disperse the Grange, and
divide the Republican party, and
elect mongrel Legislature consist
ing OF an equal cross of railroads,
Democratic and anti-temperance, of
which the .monopolists, having the
most money, will enjoy all the fruits.


ADHERE TO OLD PARTIES.


Those Republicans who recognize
that all our hopes, nationally and
politically, for the future, depend on
the perpetuity and stability of that
party which has safely carried us
through SO many storms, will be re.
luctant to follow any other standard.
They have other hopes and interests,
beside the regulation of railroad
tariffs, to look after, and nowhere
can they expect to find party with
such broad and liberal principles,
faithfully lived up to, as in the
Republican party. 1t is folly to ex-
pect or ask such a party to abandon
its organization for another party
with one idea. Then are the Patrons
ready to break lances with that hon.
ored party, and incur all its opposi-
ton, in the field and in Legislature ?
1t is well to consider these things
calmly. Cannot more good be done
by remaining in the party to which
the Patrons severally belong, and
there exert their influence in mould
ing the great political parties into
immense engines of power, to carry
out the great object proposed by the
Agricultural movement now engross-
ing public attention.


WILL THEY RISK IT.


Ifthe political Changers are deter
mined to break away from their old
political associations-rush rashly
over the constitution of the Order
defy the opposition to secret political
societies-brave the opposition of
the old established parties-enter
into fight unequalled in viru-
lence by any contest for years-throw
their banner to.the breeze with one
plank, inscribed with the names OF
new and untried men, they will call
down upon their heads swift destruc.
ton, merited and timely. They will
have but few old and accredited
stumpers to defend their banner in
the canvass-but few presses, if any,
to defend their cause before the peo
ple-but little means to meet the
enormous demands of spirited
canvass-with divided councils al
b ome, and with certain defeat in the
future. Are the Patrons prepared 10
meet this issue?


WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?


They now have the cordial good
will and sympathy of all political
parties. These parties are ready to
give the desired aid, when not bought
up, or defeated by chicanery at the
ballot box. The Changers are now
strong enough, if they will adhere
to their old party organizations, and