Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-12-18
ANNUAL ADDRESS
State Grange, at Belfast, Tuesday,
Dec ~, 1889.

Ihis 10 tue most Important point IN the
history of our organization rs State Grange.
welcome to this annual meeting the worthy
representative delegates of the subordinate
oranges OF the State Of Maine, gathered for
individual obseSyati0n and examination. and
collectively to devise means for our future
advancement. You will be called upon to
act and to legislate for the interests Of 304
subordinate oranges already organized in our
State. representing an aggregate constituency
Of over II 600 active. Intelligent and loyal
Patrons of Husbandry. The position which
you occupy is most honorable and the respon-
sibilities are great and dignified, calling for
sound judgment and careful research.
As q national organization. we have had the
experience of nearly a quarter of q century
The time has gone by when we have to spol-
ogize for our presence. Our purposes, acts
and membership are known of all men. To
be Patrop of Husbandry is . sufficient rec
ommendation to the confidence and respect
of the pnblic, and should be a card of intro
duction into the best society in the land.
The life giving principle of associated e fort
of men aud women having the same common
interest has finally triumphed on the farm,
and the moral force of the principles Of the
grange. asserted by its "Declsration of Pur-
poses" has gwen the grange such power aud
force that its period of doubt has passed
away. that its supremacy and Vitality are
acknowledged every where; and that its infiu-
ence and benefits are more extended thar at
any previous period of its history.
The Position Of Women,
The last, but not the least OF the purposes
of the grange, according to lis official dec
lsration, is to icculcate q proper appreciation
-
was .he crowning work Of the founders Of
our order in admitting her to full member
ship and to equal position with the male sex,
thus recognizing the equality of the two
sexes. 1t WAS potle departure from the
sentiment and practice which had here
tofore ruled the organic law of all the
prominent secret associations Of the land
Our declaration of purposes thus gives
to woman the Influence and power which
are needed in building up and pro-
tecting an industry and pursuit, in which she
has an equal interest. Woman occupies q
prominent position on the ''home farm
equal to i,s distinguished master, and As ma
tron she discharges important duties which
no other person can do a. we'll hence In the
economy of the grange we find that the equal
ity of the two sexes is fully recognized. The
grange door "swines inward At the gentle
touch of woman a. to the ruder knocking OF
man." While we admit the Justice of the
principle of equality, let US not forget il
logical consequence, and not cease OuI
efforts until the American woman shAli en-
Joy all the rights of American citizenship.
The Interests Of Agriculture.
There are great principles that are con
nected with the economy Of the Grange
which makes it a great auxiliary for the ad'
| vancement, progress and benefit OF tht
farmer. Experience shows us that in the
great struggle for success in the busnes'
world no man can stand alone We must
depend largely upon ourselves, but we must
| fail if We do not acknowledge q mutual de-
pepdepce. We can not paddle our own
canoe. There is no pursuit that has 80 much
individuality a. that of The farmer
Agriculture has interests peculiar to itself
II must be guarded. defended and protected
bv its own craft. We cannot depend upor
apy single self, for some of our interests may
he and probably are, in conflict with others
When corporations. transportation compa
uies. u,iddlemen aud consumers combine fol
| selfish advantages against the interests Of
| farm products and the farm. 1t must be bold
| lv met by the same methods Of cooperation
and organization through the united efforts ol
the farmers. Much has been said about the
| necessity or organization, and eloquent e.
.avs have been written and delivered on coop
GRAFTON. This 10 all right, but what good doe
| il do il there 10 no actiou? We are NOT to lool
upon the grange too much as an end. but 1t II
ouly an end to accomplish we'll defined puf
noses. There should be in business vel
regulated unity Of in crest. according u
which trade should resul; in mutual sdvan
tase. No other commerce is legitimate
| The farmers should cooperate to secure thl
uuity. This great and veil defined princi
ple Of our order, "to buy together and eel
| ioeether." should not be overlooked. Th'
| progress made in this direction has been YER
allow. aud il 10 difficult for rs 10 leave OIL
rut,: but what was once denied Is nov prac
ticed.
| Abands.ed Farms.
We hear Of many complaints about tn
small pecuuiary profits from our farms
IL true that in Maine, New Hampshire an
| Vermont, we fod many abandoned farms
and farms for ssle at price that would ne
/ nav for the cost OF the buildings efecse
thereon. This unfortunate condition Q
sections Of our farming area is 20 apparent
,h., tho legislature Of New Hampshire b
made an appropriation OF ezSoO. fof con
petent commission ITO inquire into the canse
of the decline Of agriculture" . the e.
thas e,me remedy may Be found that VI
restore these farms BY occupancy TO- tnel
original self-supporsing condition IN
| resula Of careful examination an
inquiry show . serious Ard lane
tabIe condition Of many hsfetefees pso'
perous farming districts. 4 careful eeasa<
srsrioe Of this subisss via sses saaA. y "a
hrre majority Of essss. fsfns navs pc
ahsedoaed 10 ssnseQssDee ct - toDfev
a A>.e and Yanaenne Dnnne4 In whteo uRUan