Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-05

thls s.Great head" Who might otherwise
have continued 70 lobby for railroad cor.
porstious, until this .lnsidious destruc-
tive foe' had succeeded iu organizing all
the farmers Into grangcs, thus doing
away With the ''lsolatlon" and bringing
home TO the farmer some little 's0clal
pleasure and festlvity," and possibly dis
pelllng the enemy Of "Ignorance" which
is "particularly efficient for evil among
the farmer."
Thls danger,-thanks to the secretary
-ls happily avoided, and the farmers
having been thus enlightened, will make
short work Of their ''lnsidious" and
dangerous foes" who promote the
organization OF granges.
TIE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GRANGE.
The department OF agriculture We re-
gard ~ one Of the important achieve
ments Of the grange. For years we
worked unceaslugly for it.
We were not Ignorant OF the fact that
political interests would be considered
In selecting the head Of the department,
but We fully believed that no man would
ever be elected to the highest office In
the gin Of the people, who would wholly
ignore and disregard the Wishes OF the
vast army Of tillers Of the soil without
whose votes no man can be elected. To
SAY that we have been sorely dlsappoint-
ed, 10 To state the case mildly.
Our wishes were not considered 10 the
selection OF the present incumbent, aud
our dissatisfaction may not result In his
retirement from position for which he
ls evidently not suited. But II the fact
ls made public, that there is not single
farmer, or an Organization OF farmers,
that indorses his expressed views, or IL
CARDS him as true friend Of agriculture,
Il nav have szlutary influence In the
selection Of future secretaries OF sgri-
culture.
IN TEXAS.
The union Of the farmers grand state
alliance with the grange we feel very
confident will result In large Increase
In the membership Of the grange 10
Texas.
THE DEATH ROLL.
Since our meeting of one year ago
Brother and Sister CHARTERS Of virginis,
well and favorably known to some OF US,
have been removed to the life beyond.
THE GRANGE PRESS
has kept the important objects we seek
before the people, and the
chief thing We regret, IL the fact that so
few of the farmers, and In fact so few OF
our members, lend helping hand by
extending the circulation OF papers de-
voted to our purposes. ;,
One Of the Important things to do, and
10 now, Il to send these papers Into
every farmers home. When we can do
this, victory will be In sight.
ECONOMIC QUESTIONS.
Il IL not the purpose Of the grange to
dictate or control the opinions OF our
members upon economic questions. we
encourage investigation. discussion aud
the use Of all proper means OF obtaining
light and knowledge. We hope to see
our members become thoroughly well
informed on all the issues OF the day, In
order that they may intelligently use
their political power. This is as far as
the order can 20 without infringing
upon the rights Of citizenship.
Any attempt to commit the order Tor
Or against any proposition, which Is ike
ly soon to become an lssue between polit-
Ical parties, and is yet \ subject OF dis
is, In my opinion, unwlse. Men
revise opinions hastily formed.
EDUCATION.
Education IL the chief end and pur-
pose Of our order, and the good work
roes steadily on. About 1900 subordi-
nate oranges have been already organ
zed, every one Of which has been, and is
, school for the farmer and his family.
Isolation, distrust, superstition, preju-
lice and ignorance are giving place to
,oclzl enjoyment and culture, confidence,
we'll grounded faith, llberality, charity
md Intelligence. Henceforth the
Iarmer will be consulted, and his opinion
will be received with respect and be duly
lie is no longer the "meat"
,f self-sppointed political bosses, but q
nan who feels the pulsatiou OF power
heretofore neutrallzed and wasted.
The public official or political party
hat hereafter Ignores or dlscrimlnates
against agriculture aud the farmer will
meet with prompt rebuke. Never be
fore In the history Of our country was
every act, utterance and vote OF public
officials scrutlnized as they are to-day.
Every election will be call to judg-
ment. Promises must be kept; mis-
takes will not be overlooked. The peo-
ple demand honesty, courage, states
and patriotism, all OF which
comes in part from the quiet Influences
Of these schools, that were established
more than two decades ago among the
farmers.
This educational force must be con-
tinued and strengthened. The grange
has become one Of the necessities In the
farmers life and In the needs OF the
ARID LANDS OF THE WEST.
There IA movement to bring under
cultivation large areas Of arid lands 10
the West, through the instrumentality
Of government aid. The time will no
doubt come when this land will be need
Ell. when such action will be wise and
but that time has not yet
come.
The Increase OF cultivated lands has
been too rapid In the last quarter OF a
LET CIRCUMSTANCES DECIDE.
There has been much discussion about
the policy Of general or special farming,
and this was begun before there were so
Ia.