The Portland daily press., 1884-12-18
TEE STATE GRANGE.
Abstract of Grund Master Robie's Ad-
dress.


st the meeting of the State Grange ct Houl-
ton this week Governor Robie, the Grand
Master Ct the order, delivered an excellent ad-
dress, reviewing the condition of the nation
and the state with special reference to the in
terests of the farmers of the land. The follow
ing extracts comprise the important features Of
the address:
AS nation we have passed through the try
ing ordeal of a heated presidential coLtsst, but
the storm OF political ezcitament has passed
over US, aud our free country is 10 the inll en-
iOyuent of its rights, and our prond Ship OF
State rides upon the ocean OF universal peace,
the pride of a civilzad world.
Nav thst the national election is over let Us
as Patrons of Husbandry, la view OF the ques-
tioaa5le transactions OF the past, eliminate
that which is good from those influences
which have been so demorazng t public
morals aud bnild thereupon for ourselves a
higher and better political sentiment, as the
RroundWo Of future political action. Con
servntism and Independence are essential ella
ments 10 American pol tics, and among no
class are these elements more conspicuous than
among the farmers.
The order Of patrons in Maine is speedily ad-
vanciDg. In but few localities has there been
falling off in membership. Ons need of the
grange is conceretd action to bring the orgaui-
zation to the trout. The localities where the
grange is permanently planted are eDj ying
the foil benefits which accrue from tae syttem.
Many garages have erected new halls, aud the
State Master recommends that when possible
every subordinate grange Ia the State erect
and own home.
Ali the business interests of the world seek
self-pr Steetion through associated effort. The
agricultural classes, upon which all ether in-
dustres depeud are Far behind In an alliance
offensive and defensive. By the labor OF the
farmers others grow rich. The man who ham
dies the croBs the farmers raise gathers the
wealth The transportsti ton company, by mon
opoly and pooling, gathers a toll which may
absorb the earnings and agricultural profits OF
a whole ST. ts. The farmer is powerlesS to re-
sist the pressure or combination. Legislatures,
the courts and the executive are subject to the
powerful pressure monopoly brings to bear.
Midst such surroundings the farmer needs to
seek the opportunity to protect himself The
grange opens the door. The subordinate
grange is the unit OF great power, with its
supreme head In the national grange, where
the voice of a thousand localities widely sep
GRATED Can concentrate.
A home market enhances the value Of the
farmers land and increases his cash receipts.
The value of cultivated acres is more than
double in those counties in our State, which
are classed as manufacturing counties The
great industries Of this country should be so
protected that laborers should be employed
and well paid and as far as possible manufac-
ture what We use, and build up home markets.
An "enlighteued agriculture" means pro-
eress by educational forces. The means Of
education for the farmer are all about him, in
the soil he tills, the stock he keeps, the crops
he raises, aud in all his surroundings in earth
and air. Hence, the pursuit OF the farmer
calls for as much education as any of tho
learned professions, though in differeut
direction. 1t may not be practicable for all to
be skilled in the obtuse sciences, but the more
varied the farmers KNOWLEDGE the greater the
4. =. IL
constitutes power and nowhere is il more re-
munerative than in the domain OF agriculture.
We are passing through a crisis which Is Sc
verely testing the permnancy of a free govern
meDt, and no class OF people are more loyal or
more interested trsn those that own ths soil of
the nation. When the hour of trial comss this
class must of necessity meet all responsibilities
How important that the farmer understand
and consider iptelligeutly the perils which
threaten this nation.
Great questions of public policy claim the
attention OF the grange Partisan politics shonld
not stand In the way of knowledge and im-
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 party consider
atioDs.
There are many bright spots in the agricul-
ture of Maine, and it is generally admitted
that during the past twenty years there has
been a steady increase in the amount OF the
the quality of the farm stock.
There have been many contributions from
sources foreign to the farm which have pre-
Jucs1 this result General prosperity in man
uiacturiug, mining, commercial pursuits and
other Industries have opened markets. There
are other causes which have improved the con-
dtion of the farming interests OF Maine.
Among the foremost are the towD, county and
Ststs Agricultural Societies, supplemented by
the efficient and we'll directed efforts OF the
Agriculture al Board.
There are elements OF success in the grange
which no other organization ever discovered or
pracgiced recommend q careful study OF
everything connected with the grange, and
fron my own careful observations aud long
experience, am sure that cur Order will stand
the test Of the severest scrutiny. and when un-
derstood will be the best appreciated
There is no more important interest than a
hearty and generous support Of the grange
| press.
Another help in this direction is the grange
| library, which, vhen possible, every subords-
| Date grange should procure.
Onr Insurance companies, and mutual aid
| soclsties, on account OF their safety and econo-
my, deserve the patronage aud support OF eS-
| cry pairoD. Our State College of Agriculture
| aud Mechanic Arts should be supported by the
| farmers of oar State.
The organization Of Patrons Of Husbandry
| should be in no vay partisan in its purposas
| methods or acts, bat it has deep interest in
| self government, and should be an effective
working force in the economy OF any political
| parry in bringing about all necessary reform.
The farmers OF this country are opposed to
| our patent laws which give so much power and
| broht to the manufacturer and seller OF patents
| and often iafliot injustice and extoFtion upon
| innocent persons who may iguorantly 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 snitabls
| legislation that shall stamp out deception aud
wrong, net only IN the manufacture Of butter,
| hut in the adulterationo of syrups, spices, lq-
uors, drugs, fertilizers and the long list of art-
cles used in the farmers family and on the
| farm.
| appeal to our young men who are enlisted
for farm life to join the grange. 1, Is good
| fitting school for the farm. Young women Of
the home farm join the grange, and grace its
| various exercises by vonr refined presence.
Officers and members OF the Pa-
irons of Maine: The future advance
| OF our organization is directly COM
| mitted TO your Gore: the eyes of the
great public rest upon your endeavoFs
and practices. Looking into the future 80
full OF promise aud great possibilities, let us
cont'uus to walk between the handles of the
plough 10 the full expectation OF the final tri-
1mph OF Faith, Hope and Charity with F.
| deity.