Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-22
means to develop the advantages OF this
most beneficial institution.

Agri ulture has always had ana SnOulu
continue to have, controlling influence
over the varied business pursuits of the
great body polite. The waters or the
great ocean furnish the true level or all
the oays and inlets which from part OF
its design and extended usefulness, so
agriculture, being the original source OF
all productive industries. is the power
which regulates labor and furnishes the
material basis for prosperity. and fortu-
nately, representing the ocean OF LABOR,
life and business relations through 1t anu
t by it all the interests or the country
/ should and do fad one common level
/ If agriculture takes the lead OF all other
vocations, feeds and clothes the Nat!oh.
gives life and material to the manufac
turer, and business to the sails OF COM
merce, those who follow it should be
! proud of such leading position, anu do
all in their power to dignity and elevate
( it. There are many ways when III Iol-
lowed will make farming more pront-
able. 1t should be made more attractive.
! The hermit lives at the foot of the ladder.
| He is isolated, unsocial and repulslve:
/ He subsists on the natural prouucilons Oh
! the soil. and his cove rings ana clothing
are of primitive character 1t Is long
distance from his cave or nut TO the
surroundings of enlightened CIVILIZATION,
such as YOU find in cultured society All
along the line, from the hermit until you
reach an educated and refined FAMILY,
Won will find different grades of happl-
ness, intelligence and enlightenment. In
order to reach top of the ladder Deautifv
your homes with shade trees, vines ana
! flowers, remember the day appointed Dv
the Grange as Arbor Day. so that when
the farm labors of the dav are finished
the farmer can sit under the shade OF the
extended branches of the trees when ne
has planted, midst the beauty ana per-
| fume of flowers from the garden Whlch
his wife and daughters have watched ana
watered with faithful care; ana thus
surrounded by family of healthy boys
and bright girls, the farmers nome can
be made paradise. Our fathers from
necessity were obliged to build the log
cabin far away from any nelghDor. HIS
accompaniments were his axe, his gun
and his dog. and when the smoke rose
from the rude chimney and curled over
the frozen Hill it went up alone
into lonely sky. The days of
loneliness have passed away by the
Introduction of populous nelghoofhooos,
and however isolated a farmers family
NAV live he can find society, friendship,
generous hands and warm hearts at the
gate of the subordinate Grange. A dis
tinguished lecturer has truthfully said
that can unsocial life begets seltishnPss,
egotism and envy, and that vanity which
vaun eth itself, and way down in the
deep recesses of the heart, unsocial men
and women despise joyous and happy
people, because they envy them"
The Grange weekly meetings send
warm current of sociability and friend
ship into the farmers family without
which life would be blank. The farmer
has peculiar advantages for mental study
and social enjoyment during the months
of snow and storms of winter, which be-
long to no other vocation. 1t is his period
of rest and comfort The Grange should
flourish during the winter months. Much
Improvement can be made arolnd the
tireside with the wife and children, but
at the Grange meeting we can read
together, talk together, sing together,
improve together, cultivate socabilitv
and devise the best methods to make
farming profitable, dignitied and pleas
ant. Do not let the best opportunities
for advancement be lost. Avoid secluse-
ness aud narrow mindedness, and always
bear in mind that we are everywhere in
partnership and close communion with
the sons and daughters of the "home
farm" and that those who live and thrive
surrounded by pleasant fields, meadows,
streams and woods, and cultivate the
soil, are members of the same noble
family, having in common the same in
terests and sympathy, and should there
fore all be Patrons of Husbandry.
The most important recollectIons and
the warmest memories hang over our
homes. Around tie family hearthstone
cluster the public and private virtues of
our Nation. ProprietOrship il our
strongest power; he who owns home
has q castle and will defend it. Man
connects his home with love of country.
Fortunately for the Nation that there are
within its borders four millions of agri-
cultural homes, and in the State of Maine
GA 800 farms and homes of which Oh
52S are cultivated by the owners. The
Grange teaches us how to build up happy
and contented rural homes, and ineuIcates
the principles of independence and self
reliance, and shows us how we can take
care of ourselves. The preamble of the
Grange constitution declares that
"fIuman happiness is the acme of human
ambition" Human ambition leads man
kind into narrow and uncertain path
ways. Professional life, mercantile
pursuits, high and honorable official
positions have their recommendations
and are worthy of the ambition of the
most gifted. But there are shadows there
which do not fall on the daily routine of
the vocation of the husbandman. Success
in all other pursuits is very uncertain;
there is doubt and hesitancy when you
have to feel the public pulse, there is a
lack of true manhood when you are
obliged to resort to deception and sharp
practices, there is no happiness when you
lose your own respect without gaining
the respect of your acquaintance.
Patrons, be content with your occupa-
ton, and so act that your sons may feel
the high responsibility of an enterpris-
ing and industrious husbandman. and
teach your daughters that the highest and
noblest position of matrou is the wife
of an independent yeoman. The many
defalcations and criminal frauds which
have been practced in the financial and
business world during the past year are
, worthy of consideration. There is
useful lession from these experiences
1. L.,