The Portland daily press., 1878-09-19

enlarged upon an idea suggested by the Cover
nor's remarks, that the population and the ill.,
dustrial interests have been waning for many
years past in our state. The agricultural inter-
ests were also referred to as bsing on the
decrease, and some of the obstacles in the way
OF their advancement were enumerated. The
reason why young ren leave the farm and
enter other pursuits lies not in the fact that
labor in this direction does not receive sufficient
compensation in our state, for Maine compares
favorably in the fertility of its soil With any
state in the Union. The cause of the difficulty
should rather he attributed to thu influence in
home circles where the youth are encouraged
to engage in other pursuits that bestow a livel;-
hood without manual labor. Our educational
system is ia great MEASURE responsible for the
unfavorable manner in which farming is re-
garded. Another difficulty with which our
farmers have to contend, is the taxation which
is go burdensome as to greatly cut off the mar
gin of profit. The Doctor then dwelt very
forcibly upon the evil effects of huctuating
currency upon the business interests. We can
not have prosperity until our currency is estab-
lished upon true standard of value. In con-
clusion he urged, for the promotion of
agricultural interests, that the truth of the
responsibility of farming be iLculcated in a
greater degree in the minds of the rising gen.
GRAFTON.
7. II. Thing, Esq. the head of the Changers
in this state, was next introduced, aud spoke
substantially as follows:
ADDRESS OF D. H. THING, ESQ.
Mr.. Presudent-I thank you in behalf of the
fatroDs OF Maine for calling me to the stand
| before this audience upon this occasion, for
| recognize 1t not as a compliment to me, but as
| Kindly and fitting recognition of the order
which represent. but in view of the catholici-
| ty of the audience before me let me widen and
| broaden tho salutation with which in behalf of
the Patrons of Maine greet you today. LIST
me repeat the greeting and salute you not only
as brother Patrons, but as brother and sister
farmers also. And Mr. President let me here
say that we as an order Of Patrons entirely and
most emphatically disclaim all feeling of ennity
towards other classes. occupations or profess
s1ons There need be 20 revalues, no Jealous
les, no antagooisms. When our principles pre-.
val, as prevail We believe they will, it will be
found that sothers are benefited as we'll as our.
selves.
We as an order are laboring not ouly to ad.
vance the material interests of the farmer and
farm laborer, but also to elevate their social
position, to develop their Intellectual powers
and disseminate that intelligence which will
make them of greater value to themselves and
to the world. Farmers in our country are the
great conservative class. The man who owns
MS farn is to certaiu extent real estate and
every boulder ne removes, every rod of drar
ne lays, every tree he plants, every building Of
renee ne builds or adorns, but strengthens tht
Ties winch bind him to mother earth, aud his
interests tend more and more strongly to de
velop MS patriotism and his loyalty, aud in al
emergencies they are the class to be depended
upon, not only for propelliIg force, bnt fol
conservative influence. We are not of, aud WI
object in the strongest terms to being classet