Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-19

at the Meeting Of the Maine state Grange. st
Bangor, Dec. Is. 1888.
Brothers and Sisters of the State
Grdnge:-
The rapid flight of another year again
calls US together to meet the responsible
ties and enjoy the pleasures of our annual
gathering.
1t is pleasant to look upon each others
races, to exchange the cordial greeting,
and to mark the progress made by our
noble Order within our borders during
the year that has passed. Let us rejoice
that our ranks are comparatively un-
broken, that so little cause for sadness
exists, and SO much reason for gratitude.
The large number of Patrons present,
tells me that your interest i'm the purposes
and cause of the Grange is still unAagg-
ing, and that you have come here with a
determination to push on the good work
with renewed ardor and fidelity. l ex-
tend to you all the right hand Of fellow
ship and BrOtherly regard.
1t was privilege which afforded me
great pleasure, with Sister Robie, to
represent the State, at the recent meeting
of the National Grange which convened
Nov. 2lst, at Washington City. 1t was
an important meeting. There was a
Representation from thirtv-twO states of
this Union, and the cordial greetings of
the brothers and sisters from remote and
far-separated states, evinced that sectional
feeling had no abiding place in our organ
ization All the deliberations were har-
mOniOus, and regulated by the strong
ties of agricultural interests. The re-
ports from the State Masters of the several
states showed healthy and prosperous
condition of our Order. 1t was never
before 30 strong in purpose, or high in
excellence. am happy to say that the
condition of the Order in the State of
Maine compared favorably with other
states. When we compare the numerical
strength of our organization, we find
that we have scattered through our State,
relatively, much larger number of
Patrons than in any state in the Union.
There are now only two states, Ohio and
Michigan, that report more active Patrons
than Maine, and no one state during the
|past two years has made such an increase
Of membership. Ohio has nearly twenty
thousand Patrons, Michigan fifteen thou
sand, Maine twelve thousand five hum
dred, and Texas ten thousand. The
State of Maine has increased nearly fifty
per cent. in membership during my term
of office. In the year 1871 we had 8, $40
members, we now have IL ,250, an in
crease of 3,701 in ten years. The num-
Der of active subordinate Oranges in the
State is 17S, twenty of which have a
membership of one hundred or more.
| rejoice at such good results, but do not
attribute it to any influence of my own,
it is the fruits of united labor and earn
estness of faithful brotherhood aided by
devoted Grange press.
The unaffiIiated and affiliated members
of the Grange in the United States num-
ber many hundred thousand, and in point
of character and influence occupy a
high rank.
The meetings of the National Grange
have developed disposition to enter the
political field SO far as public questions of
political economy are made subjects
of political action, and where the inter-
ests of the farmer are involved in the
final settlement. An intelligent discus
.by partizan bias, with single purpose to
elevate, protect and sustain the interests
and rights of the husbandman, cannot
fail to secure the commensurate result.
The Grange is the only organization of
the husbandman of this Nation, by
peculiar methods of its own. Our Con-
stitution is respected, our laws are uni
form in their application, and our decla-
ration of purposes well matured. We
1haye an organization that has had an ex-
perience Of sixteen years, and we have
enrolled under our banner nearly a
million members. We do not today have
II the full cooperation of this vast army,
but there is latent sympathy which the
good works of the Grange will again
arouse into activity and power.
The Grange has become better under.
stood by all classes in this country, and
commands universal respect. We cannot
afford any longer to take back seats,
and follow i'm the rear of public senti-
tmept, but we must be more aggressive
and take our light from underneath
THE bushel, and set it upon the hill
lin order to cnlighten and formulate pub
Lie sentiment. 1 need not occupy time in
speaking of the dignity of agriculture.
Its antiquity, its intrinsic Importance, and
its numerical power, these facts are
known of all men. The husbandman
primarily feeds and clothes the p0pula-
| ton of the world. In war he feeds the
army and navy, and in peace is the prime
support of government.
I'VE have in the United States four
million farms occupied by many million
of our population. We have in the
State of Maine $1,000 farms, on which
reside nearly One-half Of our population
These agricultural homes are clothed with
peculiar interest and power. 1t is here
| that the family altar is set up, and the
strength and beauty Of the family il
{ Ideyeioped, which is recognized as the
unit Of our civilization. Lord Cole.
ridge, Chief Justice of England, at
recent reception in New. York City made
the following remark: "It seems 70 me
that Americas crowning glory is that il
lis q country Of homes: the solid con,
tent and satisfaction bred by the faci
that the farmers land is his own. Tht
merchant and the professional mar
GENERALLY owns his own home, and tht
cottage of the artizan and laborer be
LONGS to him. There is Inspiration alst
mower in q ..country Of homes.' 1t i!
! our strongest arm of defence, for by
Ownership We are all active members Of