The Portland daily press., 1889-09-02
TALKING TO FARMERS AT FRYEBURG.
Ex-Cov. Robie Made Short Speech
introducing Col. Brigham.
The National Worthy Masters
Second Speech to Maine Patrons.
Good Results Which the Craneers
May Hope to Achieve.
Especial to the PresS.l

Especial to the Pressl
FRYEBURG, August 31.-The Fryeburg
Grange held very enthusiastic meeting this
afternoon at Martha's Grove. The large
audience was called to order by Mr.. B. w.
McKeen, the Master of the Grange. He,
after few words of welcome, introduced
ex-Gov. F. W. Robie, the Worthy Master of
the Grange of Maine. Gov. Robie said /:
This is the first time that ever visited
this western part of Oxford county. have
never before been inspired by these noun
tains and hills. rejoice that thesbanner Of
the Patrons of Husbandry has been planted
in your SOIL have held many public offices,
but L consider that to be Master of the State
Grange is higher honor than any of these
The Patron knows neither North, South,
East nor West, but all are bound together by
the sacred ties of agriculture The time has
been when this land was nation of farm
ers, who were governed by Washington, the
model farmer. Many changes have taken
place since then. Now onlyl25 per cent. of
the capital Of our country is invested in ag-
riculture. Yet the highest and best things
of farmers life cannot be estimated in
money. We are noble sons of noble sires,
and let US never forget the virtues of our
forefathers. Brain power must ultimately
AuiO IA Jul iduu anu ~ ludbtClo uUt Wu6butT
this Is found in man or woman. This state
OF affairs the Grange. which recognizes the
equality OF the sexes, will help very much to
bring about"
Ex-Gov. Robbie, at the close of his interest
ing remarks, introduced Col. j. H. Brigham
OF Ohio, the Worthy Master of the National
Grange, who spoke upon the agricultural in
terests OF Maine and the United States. He
said one of the great questions of the day is
that Of monopoly, o., whether the few shall
Power is gained by the concentration Of
force, All professional and laboring men
nnd that there is success and strength in
union, and so they band themselves together.
Farmers, too, must organize for the same
dence helps those Who % help l' themselves. s MY Mr..
Brigham said: I'VE, say, for l am farm
er, have depended for the advancement of
our interests. too much upon those who are
not farmers. We have complained of hard
times again and again in the same old long
metre tune. 1t has become proyerbial. We
must stop this and concentrate all our minds
upon the helpful investigation of the causes
that lead to this state of things. We ought
to commence at once, and cooperation will
make short work Of 1t. Corruption, extray-
subjects for investigation. The farmers are
more to blame for these evils than any other
class of people, for they hold an irresistible
power II It is only organized. By the free
mans ballot we can bring reforming influ-
ence into the public life of this country that
will give real and true civil service. We
can do any thing that is right. Farmers
have been governed by party and prejudice
far too much. We have set by SO doing low
standard of public life before our sons. The
organization of farmers will not only help
their financial prosperity, but will advance
those things which are of more Importance,
the social culture aud education of its men,
bers. The latter will fit them to ad0rn any
station to which they may be called"
Col Brigham at the close of his able ad-
dress expressed the great desire that all in
terested in agriculture should become men,
hers Of the grange. A reception to the
Patrons of Husbandry was given at the close
of the exercises.
The auditorium was finely decorated in
honor of the occasion with bright flowers,
ferns, traces of yellow corn and fruit. The
music was well rendered by large choir
Miss Hattie Pike of Fryeburg sweetly sang
several solos. The opening prayer was Of
fered by Rev. Mr.. Davis of North Fryeburg,
and Rev. Mr.. Stone, also of Fryeburg, pro-
n0unced the benediction.