574 THE GKOUNDSWELL. 



profits. We shall advance the cause of education among ourselves and tot 

 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 the 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 National, State or subordinate is 

 not a political or party organization. No Grange, if true to its obligations, 

 can discuss political or religious questions, nor call political conventions, nor 

 nominate candidates, nor even discuss their merits in its meetings ; yet the 

 principles we teach underlie all true politics, all true statesmanship, and, if 

 properly carried out, will tend to purify the whole political atmosphere of 

 our country, for we seek the greatest good of the greatest number. But we 

 must always bear it in mind that no one, by becoming a Grange member, 

 gives up that inalienable right and duty which belongs to every American 

 citizen to take a proper interest in the politics of his country. On the con 

 trary, it is right for every member to do all in his power legitimately to influ 

 ence for good the action of any political party to which he belongs. It is 

 his duty to do all he can in his party to put down bribery, corruption and 

 trickery ; to see that none but competent, faithful and honest men, who will 

 unflinchingly stand by our industrial interests, are nominated for all positions 

 of trust, and to have carried out the principles which should always charac 

 terize every Grange member that the office should seek the man, and not 

 the man the office. We acknowledge the broad principle that difference of 

 opinion is not crime, and hold that progress towards truth is made by differ 

 ences of opinion, while the fault lies in the bitterness of controversy. We 

 desire a proper equality, equity and fairness ; protection for the weak, res 

 traint upon the strong it short, justly distributed burdens and justly distri 

 buted power. These are American ideas, the very essence of American 

 independence, and to advocate the contrary is unworthy of the sons and 

 daughters of an American Republic. We cherish the belief that sectional- 

 ism is, and of right should be, dead and buried with the past. Our work is 

 for the present, and the future. In our Agricultural Brotherhood and its 

 purposes we shall recognize no North, no South, no East, no West. It is 

 reserved by every Patron, as his right as a freeman, to affiliate with any party 

 that will best carry out his principles. 



Sixth. Ours being peculiarly a farmer s institution, we cannot admit all 

 to our ranks. Many are excluded by the nature of our organization, not 

 because they are professional men, or artisans, or laborers, but because they 

 have not a sufficient direct interest in tilling or pasturing the soil, or may 

 have some interest in conflict with our purposes ; but we appeal to all good 

 citizens for their cordial cooperation to assist in our efforts towards reform, 

 that we may eventually remove from our midst the last vestige of tyranny 

 and corruption. We hail the general desire for fraternal harmony, equitable 

 compromise and earnest cooperation as an omen of our future success. 



Seventh. It shall be an abiding principle with us to relieve any of our 

 oppressed and suffering brotherhood by any means at our command. 



Last, but not least, we proclaim it among our purposes to inculcate a 

 proper appreciation of the abilities and sphere ot woman, as is indicated by 

 admitting her to membership and position in our Order. 



Imploring the continued assistance of our Divine Master to guide us in 

 our work, we here pledge ourself to faithfully and harmoniously labor for all 

 future time to return by our united efforts to the wisdom, justice, fraternity 

 and political purity of our forefathers. 



