Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-27
THE farmers FESTIVAL.


FAIR ATTENDANCE AND A PLEASANT AND
PROFITABLE ATHERISG-PREsENCE OF HON.
j. J. wooDMAN, MASTER OF THE NATIONAL
GRANGE, GOV. PROCTOR, AND OTHER D1srIN-
GUIsHED GENTLEMEN.
The farmers festival was held, according to
announcement, at Townshend, August 2Oth
There was Il fair attendance, though hardly as
large rs might have been anticipated from the
distinguished character of the speakers from
whom addresses were expected. The threat
cncd rain Of the day previous and on the
morning Of the festival kept many at home
that otherwise would have attended. There
WIS, however, a very respectable gathering,
numbering, perhaps, seven or eight hundred.
There were present the masters of Windham
county oranges: Osgood of Fayetteville,
Palmer Of Grafton, Stowe of Wilmington,
Miller of Westminster, Hastings of Windham,
Sergeant of Brattleboro Batchelder of Lon
donderry, Wakefield Of Wardsboro, Fesscnden
of Townshend; and one from Bennington
county, Fuller Of Bondylle A goodly num-
Der of members of the order from each of
the above oranges were present, and also some
from others not fully represented These,
with farmers and their families from Town
shend and neighborug towns, made up the
most of the assemblage.
Very acceptable music for the occasion was
furnished by the Londonderry band and a
choir of select voices interspersed the exer-
cses with appropriate songs. A pleasant
place for holding the festival was found under
the shade trees of Townshend common,
though unfortunately for the band and some
IF tho rapp1a ~, tho gro4c tbn pbnIa ,ror ~,
the wrong side during the hot sunshine of
some part of the afternoon but, as clouds
and slight rain alternated with sunshine, there
was no grea. discomfort.
The greater part of the forenoon was spent
in familiar intercourse, chat, and Interchange
of thoughts among the neighbors, friends and
acquaintance there brought together. This
mutual communication of thoughts, this UNI
restrained interchange of ideas, is not the
least valuable feature of these gatherings, and
it i; not privilege confined to any class or
order, where all are invited as on this occa-
sion. A compensation for the want of oppor-
tunity for familiar association, farmers may
find in these gatherings. Their tendency
should be 10 promote liberality of thought
and to correct narrow and exclusive ideas
The more formal exercises of the day were
introduced by brief address of welcome by
Geo. II. Houghton of Townshend, master of
the county grange, calling attention to the
advantages of such associations in giving the
opportunity to extend acquaintance among
individuals engaged in common cause, and
in promoting social and educational interests
Atthe conclusion of Mr.. Houghton's remarks
it was announced that Gov. Proctor had ar
rived at the hotel. A procession was then
formed, headed by the band, and Gov Proc
tor was escorted to the stand. Among the
persons here presented to the governor we
noticed venerable farmer of 90 years, Hen
ry Bailey, the oldest man in Townshend
There were now occupying the speakers
stand besides the masters of the several
oranges before mentioned, Gov. Proctor Hon
j. j. Woodman of Michigan, master of the
national grange Hon. A. b. Franklin, master
of the State grange, Hon. Hugh Henry, Rev.
Dr. Porter Hon. Abishai Stoddard, Judge o.
S. Howard, Prof. G. c. Boynton, Rev. II. NJ
Butler and Others
After music by the band and a song of well
come by the choir, an adjournment was taken
to the dozen or more long tables, tastcfully
arranged and beautifully laden, which indi-
Gated anything but the impoverished condition
of the class that furnished them, feared by
some of the speakers in the addresses that
followed.
Dinner having been attended to, speeches
were next in order, and Col. A. b. Franklin,
master of the State grange, delivered the first
address, Though laboring under the disad-
vantage of speaking in his own home-the
most embarrassing place for a public speaker
to appear is in the presence of his own fami-
ly and his intimate friends-he was listened
to attentively and applauded at the close.
Without attempting to reproduce helanguage,
we can only imperfecty report some of the
leading ideas of the principal speakers. Mr.
Franklin claimed that through the order of
the Patrons of Husbandry noble work was
being done in educating the class brought I'M
der its influence, not only as tillers of the
soil, but instructing them in their rights and
duties as citizens, and pointing out the high
and noble objects which should be life's great
aim The interests of agriculture had been
deprived of that consideration which their
importance demanded The farming class
oompOses the greater part of the nation, yet
they are the least noticed or favored in its
councils. Their occupation is considered de-
grading; burdens are heaped upon them :
laws are made to cripple agriculture rather
than to encourage it. Laboring under the
depressing influence Of adverse legislation, it
affords but meagre compensation. Taxation
il upaunal Tnr,,nrafin,,g l..
onactments opposed to the interests of agri-
culture. Who produce the wealth OF the
country, and who should be entitled to the
first consideration and fostering care of the
government 1t is the duty of the farmer to
ascertain why agriculture is made to assume
burdens not its own. 1t was the effort to find
remedy for these depressing influences that
led to the organization of the order of the
Patrons of Husbandry. 1t had feeble be-
ginning it struggled for existence through
its first years. But its originators built better
than they knew it became great power. Il
aims now at the moral and social elevation Of
its members and at educating them in theii
rights and duties as citizens. It aims tC
break up the isolation of farmers lives by EN-
ployng the most practical means of bringing
them into contact 1t brings them into asso
citation with those able to instruct; it teaches
them system it inoulcates higher and noble
aims it seeks to do good and to relieve dis
tress. 1t has awakened the farmer to senst
of his need of more thorough education ant
better knowledge of agriculture 1t ha
taught him to think deeply and to act wisely
to consider the duties he owes to himself anC
to his God. II has made him better neigh
Dor and better friend.
The saving of waste material for fertilizinl
purposes was advised. Fertilizers are CAPT
tai that farmers must have. They should un
derstand their nature and effect A knowledg