The Somerset reporter., 1891-11-26
FARM, GARDEN AND
HOUSEHOLD.
Political Dutles s

We quote the following paragraphs
from the address of DR.. G NJ. Twitchel,
Lecturer of the State Grange Z. Of H. be-
fore the agricultural institute held in 6.
A. r. Hall, Skowhegan, last week
One of the great causes for depression,
through which the agricultural sections
have been passing. has been that those
engaged therein have let 90 OF public dn-
ties bnG allowed the power rlghtfuliy
theirs TO pass into the hands Of others
If better day Is coming, as we believe
it is, if agriculture is to receive the at
tention it, Importance demands, If ;he
farms of Maine are to be the hones of a
happy, industrious, conteniei and pros
porous class, then surely there are evil
| to he corrected, there are currents to be
changed.
| stand here a. member Of the order
OF Patron- of Hus 1audry, an order unc-
ed on frateruai principles, where men Of
all political parties come INTO Fellowship,
aud therefore where politics is a foro d.
DIN theme, and yet the message have TO
~ liytr is TINT You my brothers and sis
| 'rrs have not been tfut to the obligatiou
you have taken, You have yet to bee me
iled with their spirit, else there would
be no call for us To stand here AMI urge
| The necessity of more earnest efforts IT.
secure personal action along political
| lines which will insure the largest meas
ure of blessing, and the puriticaiion of
the body polite. With parties the grsng'
has, and can have, nothing to do, bu
with politics. everything. When you
vote Is matter to be settled at the bar
of our conscience, hut that YOU vote is
duty resting upon every member of the
Order.
For one, rejoice that the farmers OF
Maine have not been called away from
the real issues OF to day, by those who,
situated differently, seek relief through
class legislation. God forbid that we be
| allowed to drift into a condition where
class shnl. be arrnigned against 'lass. II
either Of the propositions put forth by
those who have attempted to organize
farmers party, be good, they are worth
| as much to the manufacturer as to the
| farmer. The evils of to-day have result
ed from our own indifference. We, as
| individuals will do well to take the lessons
to ourselves, because falling to recognize
the full measure Of personal responsibility
we have drifted aud allowed tothers to
act
There is to my mind no call for new
ing faith with old associates, until we as
individuals have fought for or sought for
that better way which would lead out of
present difficulties. The great danger
now threatening our republic, is in the
inactivity of free-born American citizens
in relation to the political issues of the
day. The lawless never rest, the disturb
ers of public peace never cease their eff
forts. The selfish, grasping monopolist
never let's 60 his grasp and the persistent
cry of each is for the additional pound of
flesh. Resulting from this there appears
upon the surface to lead political par
ties, to leglslate for the public good, to
administer in the halls of justice, men
who are promoters of evil, disturbers of
pc ace and destroyers of the fundamental
principles of our free government. In
town, county, state and nation this Is the
drift, because we have not acted.
| said there can be no divorce of class
es without positive injury to all. neither
| can there be divorce of interests. You
who toll on yoDder hillside farms cannot
| find your largest measure Of blessing un
less the buzz of machinery is heard in the
village. The greater the activity there
| the greater upon the farm. You who toll
in mil or shop. must never forget tina,
your very existence hinges upon the
strength Of that arm working in the flelus
for your support. We are all members
Of one body, and no one can say to an
other II have no need of thee" Among
the political facts of the hour none stand
out In holder relief than this co.depend-
ence of classes.
Seeking for relief from unjust burdens,
working patiently for such legislation as
will promote the welfare of the farm and
home, standing for the principles which
underly all good government and which
will insure the greatest happiness of all.
your duty and mine Is to yield nothing of
right, to sacrifice nothing OF principles,
to stand in our places though the heavens
fall.