Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-19


In another place this morning, We pub
fish the address OF Hon. Frederick Robbie
IA Worthy Master Of the Maine State
Grange Of Patrons of IIusbsndry, deliver
ed at the ffteeuth annual meeting of that
body at Bangor, Yesterday afternoon.
This Is the sixth time that State Master
Robir has appeared before the members
OF this great Order aud the farmers OF the
State, with an address Of considerable
length. dealing largely with the somewhat
commonplace subjects Of practical and
administrative agriculture It ia high
NEED of praise to say that they have very
generally reached an elevated tone OF treat
ment aud have seldom duplicated sach
other In any ssentlal points. While each
year has usually brought some new or in
teresting topic Tor the special considera-
ton of members of the Order there IL
necessarially much OF general thought
about practical matters of the farm which
makes up quite a store of bulk in these
addresses, about which little that is really
new or startling can he brought forward
This makes it the more difficult to always
be attractive, polished and forcible, hence
the higher Il the compliment we bestow
when we say that the address given TODAY
does not fall below the former standard OF
the several able productions which Mr..
Robie has spoken to Maine patrons aud
farmers.
The Order Of which Mr.. Robbie /, the
executive head In Maine ia large aud in
huential, composed of our most intelligent
farmers, and in Maine as well as through
out the Nation has called oits work some
OF the ablest representatives OF modern
agriculture. This organization, SAYS Mr..
Robe, belongs to the farmers of the coun-
try, and when II becomes controlled BY
any other class or interest It ceases to be,
the organization 1t was designed to be,
and forfcits all claims for the farmers
support. There Is no one interest that so
accurately measures the magnitude and
the prosperity of a country as its annual
crops, the work under Providence, of
farmers hands. 1t is because of this that
agriculture has the highest claims for
recognition, aud the organization Of Pat
rons is Designed to further these interests.
TO push on their advancement, to evoke the
aid Of science, and to support wise, eco
nomical and honest government.
The grange has been social, educa-
tioual, moral and political force. II has
shaped national and state legislation, die
tsted appropriations and expenditures. and
proclaimed public policy on many i'm
portant matters. 1t Is worn out expression
to say that the grange has been the grand
est educator the farmers OF this period
ever had, but II is not far from the truth,
and II is so common that the truth OF 1t ia
frequently overlooked. The grange, more
than any other organization OF farmers has
been responsible for the making Of a minor
Department of Agrieultures Cabinet office
In the Nation; it has been foremost in the
work OF establishing the National expert
ment stations, 1t has always been hostile
to monopolies, combinations and trusts
which have uniustly discrimins ted against
agriculture; and II has insisted upon pro
lection TO the American industries, aud
the development of American resources. |
sometimes it has not been so prudent |
spout other matters. Ii has introduced
into ns closed Assem- elies and public dis
cussions, questions with which, in our
opinion, ii has had no bushes to NEEDLE. |
ms has not been often done IL ia true !
mad 1t been the days Of the Order would |
nave long ago been numbered. There are /
an abundance of subjects which are le-
gitimste for Its stock in trade of speech 4
ana report, without touching those delicate
questions the discussion OF which is sure
T" engender discord, dissention and disso. |
luton. To these the Grange is vie in /
adhering, aud the closer it sticks to them
the longer will be its tenure of existence. |
All through Master Robes address
are points and suggestions of much impor-
lance which will receive the thoughtful
consideration of farmers all over the State,
whether belonging to the order or not
while there are not few pertaining more
closely to the work of the oranges, which
viii no doubt form the basis Of repeated
debate and discussion at the subordinate
and county meetings the present winter. It
well that this annual message to these