The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-21
Colonel Brigham's Address.

Colonel Brigham took poll of the house
before commencing his address, asking those
who were grangers to raise their hands. AL
most all of those present raised their hands.
Colonel Brigham then said;
am glad to see that so many haYe come
into the fold, but there are few sinners
here that we must reach out after. Referr-
lug TO what Governor Rsbie said, that the
farmers were in need of assistance and that
nobody but the farmers themselves could
help themselves, he instanced numerous
combinations of trades and professions for
mutual improvement and profit. If all the
people with whom farmers have TO deal dur
ing their lives and even after death-do so
for the undertakers have an association
why should the farmers not also combine?
The conditions of a farmers life are not
what they should be, but they will not be
better until the farmers better themselves.
The farmers must organize and agree on
principles and plans of work for their own
betterment.
Every intelligent man knows that many
men each pursuing his own way are power
for nothing but harm to themselves. But
organized, they can do anything they want
to so long as it is worthy object But, said
Col. Brigham, there are many farmers who
do not desire to join any organization, be-
cause their fathers and grandfathers did
not belong We call these old fashioned
farmers who move in a deep cut, moss
backs and we. generally let. then, alone as
he said, to see that the Patrons have such a
strong organization in Maine. and only hope
that it will increase for in Grange matters as
in politics, the eyes of good many other
States are turned to Maine There. is say
ing, you know, that as Maine goes
SO goes the Union. Governor Robie told
you how much the grangers have done. l
have been riding around your State lately
with my eyes open and l have come to the
conclusion that IL takes sharper men and
more shrewdness and Intelligence to make a
| living off farm in the stony soil of Maine
| that Is necessary in the West where all that
| is necessary is to tickle the ground with a
| hoe and harvest is the result. III these
| people Join the Changers they will make it
| more of power than 1t is. Nothing more
need be said of the benefits of organ
jzation: now few words in re.
in regard to the work to be done. There is
| work enough 20 do. Farming does not pay
| Other occupations do pay. There must be
something wrong, here, and the oranges
ought to find out what it is, and if possible
to remove it. The farmers claim that they
are over taxed. This claim is doubtless
true, because land which is the. principal
property held by farmers cannot be hidden
or falsely valued, as stocks ana ponds can
this and apply the remedy. They can i'm
prove the social condition of their wives an(
families by introducing social features at tn,
Grange gatherings. They can do an educa
tional work among the farmers, giving then
more and better ideas of their work in all III
bearings, and teaching. wisdom by other
experiences. Then the oranges would wiel(
tremendous influence in purifying party
politics. Then addressing the sinners ii
the audience Colonel Brigham said he pre-
sumed that they, like almost everybody
sympathized heartily with the Grange, but
we want something more than sympathv- a
the woman whose husband climbed a tree
leaving her to fight bear, needed more
substantial aid than pat on the back an,
words of encouragement.
The committee on the annual meeting O
the Pomona Oranges reported that the Stat
cester town hall, October 9th.