The Republican journal., 1884-12-25
The State Orange.
ABSTRACT OF GRAND MASTER ROBES AD-
DRESS.

At the meeting of the state Grange at Houl-
ton last week Governor Robe. the Grand Mas
ter CT the order, delivered an excellent address.
reviewing The condition of the nation and the
state with special reference to the interests of
the farmers of the land he following eX-
tracts comprise the important features OF The
address
A> IA nation we have passed through the try
in9 ordeal of heated presidential contest, but
the storm OF political excitement has passed
over us. and our free country is in the full eI-
iolment Of its rights and our proud Ship of
State rides upon the ocean of universal peace,
the pride OF a civilized world.
Now that the national election Is over let US
As Patron. Of Ilu>bandry. in view of the que>-
uondbe transactions of the past. eliminate that
which is good from those influences which
have been 50 dem0raliZing to public morals
and bulid thereupon for ourselves Il higher and
better political sentiment. a> the groundwork
OF future political action. Conservatism and
independence are essential clements in Amer
lcan politics, and among 10 class are these
elements more conspicuous than among the
farmers.
The order Of patrons in Maine is speedily ad-
yancing. In but few localities has there been
falling Oft III membership. one need of the
grange Il concerted action to bring the 0r9an-
zatioh to the front. The localities where the
grange Is permanently planted are ENJOYING
iIt ltIt W llt accrue from lllf ~ Sltil
Many oranges have erected new halls. and the
State Master recommends that when possible
every subordinate grange il the Stale erect
and own Il home.
All The business Interests Of tha world seek
>tlt-plotecll0n through associated effort. The
hgrlcuii ural classes, upon Which al. olhCr in
dGstlie> depend. are far behind in an alliance
offensive and defensive. By the labor OF the
farmers others grow rich. The man who ham
dies the crops the farmers raise gathers the
wealth. The transportation company, b.. mon
opolt and pooling. gathers Il i0ll which may
absorb the earnings and agricultural profits of
" mole state. 1 he farmer is powcrle>> to 10
si>l the pressure OF combination. Legislatures,
lAc courts and The executive are subject TO The
powerful pressure monopoly brings TO bear.
Midst such surroundings the fallner net d> 10
seek The opportunity 10 project h.n>ef. The
-fAh2t opens Tie door. The subordinate
grange l. he Unit OF Il great power, with its
supreme head ia the natiola grange, where
lie voice pi a thousand localities widely >eU-
I.tted can concentrate.
home market enhances the value Of the
farmers land and increases his ,'tsh receipts.
! ht value Of cultivated acres is more than
double III those counties in our Slate. which
are ciasscd as manufacturing counties. The
great industries OF this country should be -
protected mat iabUrcr> >huuiu be enpio ed and
we'll paid and d. far a. possible manufacture
what We u>e ana build UP home ularkets.
An "enil9hltncd a@rcuture' means pro-
gIt>s by educational forces. The meall> OF
tducajion for The farmer are all about him. in
The soil he tiil>. the stock he keeps. the crops
be raises, and in all his surroundings in earth
and ar Hence the pursuit of the farmer calls
for as much education any Of The learned
professions. though in different direction. l.
may not be practicable for all to be skilled in
The obtu>e sciences, but the more varied The
farmers knowledge the greater the scope for
hl- faculties. In ibis way knowledge cun>ti-
tutes power and nowhere i it more rrmuner-
alive than in The domain of agriculture.
We are passing through crisis which is St
Nt1tiy testing the permanancy of free govern
mtnl, and no class OF people are more Ioyai OF
more interested than those that own HE soil OF
the nalion. hen the hour OF trial comes thi,
class must of necessity meet all responsibilities
How important that the farmer understand
ana consider lnIelllgently the perils which
threaten this nation.
Great questions of public policy claim the
attention OF the grange, Partisan politics should
moi stand III The way OF knowledge and i'm
provement. The grange should live above
party, and should hold the interests of our ru.
raj homes and the welfare Of the eight million
farmers Of this nation above all part, consider
ations.
There are many bright spots in the agIicul-
ture OF Maine, and it is generally admitted thai
during the past twenty years there has been a
steady increase in the amount of the produc.
/ tIDnS VI TIC SOIl, ana an lmbfONCntnt III the
quality OF the farm stock.
There have been many contributions from
sources foreign to the farm, which have pro-
duced this result. General prosperity in man.
utacturlng, mining, commercial pursuits and
other industries have opened markets. There
are other causes which have improved the con.
dltlon of the farming interests of Maine
Among the foremost are the town, county and
State Agricultural Societies, supplemented by
the efficient and well directed efforts of the
Agricultural Board.
There are clements of success in the grange
which no other Organization ever discovered OF
practlced. l recommend careful study OF
everything connected with the grange, anG
from my own careful observations and long
experience, am sure that our Order will stand
the test of the severest scrutiny, and when un.
derstood will be the best appreciated.
There Is 30 more important interest than
hearty and generous support of the grange
press.
Another help in this direction is the grange
library, which, when possible, every subord
nate grange should procure.
Our insurance companies, and mutual aid
societies, on account of their safety and econ0.
my, deserve the patronage and support of ev
cry patron. Our State College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts should be supported by the
farmers of our State.
The organization of Patrons of Husbandry
should be III no way partisan in its purposes
1nttHOus OF dcls, Dut IL mas a deep interest H.
self government, and should be an effective
working force in the economy of any political
party in bringing about all necessary reform.
The farmers of this country are opposed tC
our patent laws which give SO much power anc
profit to the manufacturer and seller of patents
and often infict injustice and eXtorton upon
innocent persons who may gnoranlly infringe
patent. Discuss this question in the grange
and ask your congressman to remedy the evil.
The grange sets its face against the manufac
ture and sale of all spurious articles, the use OF
which not only Injuries the producer but de-
frauds the customer, and it demands suitable
legislation that shall stamp out deception anc
wrong, not only in the manufacture of butter
but in the adulteration of syrups, spices, lq
uors, drugs, fertilizers and the long list of art
cles used in the farmers family and on the
farm.
i appeal to our young men who are enlisted
for farm life to join the grange. 1t l.. a gooo
fitting school for the farm. Young women OF
the home farm join the grange, and grace its
various exercises by your refined presence.
Officers and members of the Patrons OF
Maine: The future advance of our organization
is directly committed to your care; the eyes OF
the great public rest upon your endeavors anC
practices. Looking into the future SO full OF
promise and great possibilities, let us continue
t. walk between the handles of the plough in