Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-09
THE GRANGE PICNIC.

FINE DAY AND SUCCESSFUL MEETING.
The third annual picnic of Protective
Grange, p. of H., held at Brndley's grove on
Wednesday, was attended by about 200 per-
sons, of whom some 90 came by excursion
from the towns along the Brattleboro & White
hall railroad. The neighboring oranges in
other parts of the county and in New Hamp-
shire were also to some extent represented,
and there was a small sprnkling Of agricultu-
| rists and other persons not connected with
the order. The weather, though quite warm,
was pleasant, and the proceedings passed of
very agreeably and successfully throughout
The disposal Of the eaiables with which the
| tables were loaded when the dinner hour ap-
preached was not triflng ma tier, nor one
which anybody seemed disposed to slight, and
it was two o'clock when the exercises at the
stand began. The main features OF the pro-
| gramme were speeches by Geo. ii. HoughtoR
OF Townshend, master Of Pomona grange,
Rev. A. b. Truax of the Methodist church,
Brattleboro, Col. A. b. Franklin of Newfane,
| grand master Of the state grange, and Hon.
NJ. w. Davis OF Westminster, member Of the
Vermont board of agriculture, interpreted
with singing and organ music by the Goode-
nough and Perry families of West Brattleboro.
Hon. Dorman Is. Eaton, from whom speech
was expected, was unayoidably absent in New
| York. Not the least interesting feature of the
singing was Master Ernest Goodenough's rem
dering of the Farmers Song" which was
vigorously applauded. Rev. Mr.. Clayton Of
West Brattleboro made the opening prayer.
G. W. Sargent, master of Protective Grange,
made welcoming address, and Mr.. ]. G.
| Newton read statement of the principles of
the order.
Mr.. Houghton began his speech by saying
that the object had in view in meeting togeth-
| er as on the present occasion was, briefly stat
| ed, education. This was to be obtained, not
merely, nor perhaps chiefly, through listening
TO what was said by the different speakers
who occupied the platform, but through per-
sonal contact and private conversation, neigh
Dor with neighbor. 1t sometimes seemed to
him th0t everything tended to the deprecia-
ton and neglect Of the interests of agricul-
ture-that all other interests were better cared
for and protected but, after all, the farmers
| get as good as they deserve II their inter-
ests are neglected, they have only themselves
to blame. 1t is apparent, however that far
mers have made some progress within the last
decade. One great hindrance to their ad-
vancement is a lack of unity and cooperation,
which in part arises from mutual distrust
They must acquire confidence in each other,
and this will follow upon better ACQUAINTANCE
and closer fellowship. Whatever draws the
farming class together must do good.
The speech of Rev. Mr.. Truax, though in
a humorous vein, contained some excellent
points. He believed that the grange had done
much to bring prices down, to reduce the rate
of interest on money, and to diminish profits
generally. He believed in small profits In
aiding to bring this about the grange has
done good work. He dwelt upon the neces-
sty OF higher education for farmers and
he advised them TO invest their surplus money
in farm improvements rather than put it out
at interest, and protested against the destruc.
ton of our Vermont forests.
Col. Franklin gave brief sketch of the
rise OF the order of Patrons, and stated why
such an organization was needed. The idea
OF the grange as primarily business or money
saving institution he denounced as erroneous.
This feature of the grange was not contem-
plated by its original founders it was one
which had been added subsequently, and one
which had proved Of much more injury than
benefit. For farmers to attempt to injure le-
gitimate trade, or 10 go into branches of bust.
ness about which they know nothing, was
neither wise nor profitable. The great object
of the grange is to secure TO the agricultural
class its just dues, and its proper share of in
huence in politics and in the community; in
other words, TO educate and elevate the farm.
ing class Col. Franklin spoke good word
for the new commissioner of agriculture DR.
Loring, and for President Garfield; claimed
it to be the duty of the federal government
TO prevent the extortion of railroad monopo
lists in the matter of freight traffic and made
favorable mention of the new state tax law
which he claimed had its origin in a resolu'
ton passed by the state grange Good hal
already been accomplished in many directions
by the order, but much remains TO be done
and 1t should know no such word as fail
The concluding speech, by M. w. Davis o.
| the QlaIa hoard NUa nf f..I. H.
aeter than any which preceded IT, Our farm
ers as a class, he declared, are poor our
farms are poor, and daily becoming poorer
our sons are leaving us, our farmhouses ar,
being deserted, nature is gradually closing il
! upon us-and what are we going 10 do abou