The Portland daily press., 1889-12-18
GRAND MASTER ROBIE TO THE GRANGE
Progress and Influence OF the Pat
rons of Husbandry In Maine.
Valuable Suggestions to the Farmers
OF the Pine Tree State.
The Grange as Factor In Securing
Beneficial Legislation.

sion OF the State Grange began here with an
attendance which speaks well for the pros
perity of the organization. The great crowd
which was In the city last night was aug
mented this morning by fresh arrivals.
Especially noticeable is the large humber
present from Aroostook county. When
Grand Master Robie called the meeting to
order the Grand Opera House was filed. 1t
was the largest attendance at the opening of
the annual session In the history of the order
in this State. The forenoon was devoted to
the perfecting of the organization. In the
afternoon, the reports Of the grand officers
were made. The interesting al valuable
address Of Grand Master Robie follows:
This is the most important point in the history
OF our organization as state Grange. 1t is the
central point around which all the memories Of
the past cluster, and point Of departure into the
experiences of an unknown future. 1t is the re-
view stand, from which we can look back upon
our acts our ach evements and our mistakes rem
der grand trial balance of the years work, and
thereby make comparison with the results Of
other years. Wenow have an opportunity to re-
view the field of Grange endeavor nd ascertain
the latitude and longitude Of the Grange ship, so
that, as loyal Patrons, can rejoice over the ad
vancement which has been made in the great pur-
poses for which the Order of the Patrons Of Hus-
bandry was wisely established therefore well
come to this annual meeting, once more, the
worthy representative delegates of the subordi
date Oranges of the state Of Matne, gathered for
Individual observation and examination, and COL
lectively to devise means for our future advance
ment. You will be called upon to act and to legls-
late for the interests of 81 subordinate oranges
already organized in our State representing an
aggregate constituency of over 1000 active, in
telligent and loyal Patrons of Husbandry. The
position which you occupy is most honorable and
the responsibilities are great and dignif d, cali
ing for sound judgment and careful research.
From this grand standpoint of observation, we
first naturally look back upon our past history
and hasten to bring forward those golden sheayes
which Grange endeavor has harvested for the ben
eht and advancement OF the husbandmen and the
matrons who occupy and cultivate the farms Of
our State and nation. This is our sixteenth apnuaI
session as State Grange. 1t is wise and well to
look back to the earliest days of our organization.
just sixteen years ago, and observe the small and
uncertain existence and tenure that measur d the
introduction of our order into the State and care
fully consider the ways and means of our develop.
ment. There are those present today who partici-
pated in the work OF the first session of the State
Grange. They are living witnesses of the severe
criticism, ridicu!e Jealousy and the many Difficult
ties which surrounded and handicapped the early
efforts of the founders of our order, and all of
which stood in the way of the pioneers of Grange
work in the introduction of the purposes of our
order into the State of Malne Many have been
the obstacles that each year in turn have impeded
the progress of The organization of the Grange
into he agricultural towns of the State. Often
times the most serious opposition has been the
indifference OF the farmers themselves. But all
OF these retarding Influences have cen overcome
largely by the unceasng and jealous eff orts of
the old and true charter members of the subordi
nate Oranges, supplemented by the aid of a worthy
line OF new recruits, constantly increasing the ag-
gregate numerical force OF our organ cation. The
failures of the past have been sources of profit. in
consequence of their lessons for our future guild.
ance. As rational organization, we have Ia d
the experience of nearly quarter OF a century.
The time has gene by when we have to apologize
for our presence. Our purposes, acts and mem
bership are known OF all men. To be Patron of
Hush ndry is a sufficient recommendation to the
confidence and respect of the public and should
be card of Introduction into the best society in
the la q. The life giving principle of associated
MN interest has finally triumphed on The farm
and the mora force of the princi les of the grange
asserted by its Declaration of Purposes" has
period Of doubt has passed away, that IT'S suprem.
acy aud yitaly are acknowledged everywbere: and
that us Influence and benefits are more extended
than at anv previous perio In its history
AS this Is the last time shall be eal.td upon 10
deliver your annual address, In order 10 round out
ycS attention 10 WHAT 70 ns ns ss call
Ing power OF our numerical strength, the primary
cause OF the high character of our membership,
extrts upon public and social life IL is not aIfo
gether our secret work, which only assists and
Periects US I'D our organizatio !. and OF erwise is
immaterlal. But 1t Is our noble dec araiiOu of
Purpos. s." and now known of all men ii I had
any parting advice TO give, / world ask that this
wonderful instrument be read and made the sub.
ject Of discussion at eah succeeding annual me- +
lug OF the subordinate Pomona and State Oranges
= AT the st. ouis session. in February 1878, the
Nation Grange issued its first Declaration of
Purposes" portion of which II ads as follows:
we Shall endeavOr TO advance our cause by
lab0ring to accomplish he following objects.
II dew lop better and higher manhood and
womanhood among ourselves. To enhance the
comforts and attractions of our hor es, and
strengthen our attachments TO our pursuits TO
foster mutual understanding and Corporation.
To maintain inyiolate our laws and to tmulate
each liner IN labor to hasten the good time com
Ing. To re uce our expenses, both Individual and
corporate To buy less and produce more, i'm
order to make our farms self-sIstaining To di-
Gu tivate To condense tile weight of our exports
sci ing less in the bushel and more on hOof and IN
neeee; less ~ lint. and more in warp and woof
10 sys,ematize our work, and calculate intell-
gently ON probabilities. To discOuntenance The
credit system, the mortgage system, the fashion
system, ana every other system tending 10 lrod.
1--WE propose meeting together, talking topeth.
er, working together buying together, selling to-
mutual protection and advancement, as occasion
may require. We shall avoid litigation as much
as possible ny arbit' aIion in the grange We shall
constantly strive TO secure entire harmony, good
will, vital brotherhood among ourselves and TO
make our order perpetual. We shall earnestly
and national prejudices. all unhealthy ryalry all
selfish ambition. Faithful adherence to these
principles wili insure our mental, moral social and
Al the same time they declared it to be their
purpose to bring consu er and producer together;
advance the cause of education among the broth
erhood and for their children by ali the means in
their power; to DESTROY seetonalism and. last but
abilities and sphere Of woman.
THE POSITION OF WOMAN.
The last but not the least of the purposes of
the Grange, according TO Its official declaration
and sphere Of womaR This was the i, ''iT crowpins %
work of the founders of our order in admitting
her TO full membership and 10 equal position with
the male sex, thus recognizing the equality of the
two sexes. 1t was noble departure from the
sentiment and practice which had heretofore
associations OF the land Our declaration OF pu--
poses thus gives TO woman the Influence and
power which are needed In building up AMI pro-
an equal interest Woman occupies "a prominent
position on the "home farm" equal to It's distin-
guished master. ana as matrOn she discharges i'm
portant duties which no other person can do as
well hence IN the economy the Grange we fnd
that the equality of the two sexes Is fully recOg-
niZed. The Grange door "swlngs inward at the
gentle touch OF woman as TO the ruder knocking
Of man." While we admit The justice of the prin-
cpe Of equality let us not forget its logical con-
sequence, and not cease our efforts until the
American woman shall enjoy all the rights of
American citizenship when the American Con-
stitution was framed and adopted. one hundred
years ago. woman was hardly recognized outside
of socia circles. married woman lost her legal
Identity as soon as she had a husband; he was
acknowledged and prOte ted by the laws which
he hin self made, as the legal guardian of The
wife. By force OF m ,rriage law the twain was
pronounced one, and that ore was the husband
she was the slave OF his despotic will Today en-
tirely contrary 10 the old regime, woman is recog-
niZed by the laws Of all the States as distinct
and independent person, capable of acquiring
holding, conveying property. She has the right 10
engage in any legal business, carry on trade
make contracts, sue and be sued, and enforce All
the rights and obligations which are the preroga-
iives of free and independent citizen. The dis
tinctiOn brtw en- the two sexes In political rights
Is also undergoing great ch nges Dy the prng1eSs
of the age. and the march of ofcvlzation. Several
of the new territories of this nation foreseei d
the inevitable conclusion Of sober thOueht and
sound judgement. which are fast changing deep
seated predjudices. have aced themselves
in accord with the progressive aud enlightened
spirit of the age by cOnferring upon woman the