The Somerset reporter., 1894-09-20
FARM. GARDEN anc
HOUSEHOLD.
Development of the Grange.

from the remarks Of Hon. j. II. Brigham
of Ohio, delivered at a meeting of the
Board of Agriculture at the Weirs, n.
/ H..
Mr.. Brigham made humorous illusions
OF an edfying character and then pro-
ceeded to the body Of his lecture. The
farmers had interests that required atten-
ton; conditions existed for which he was
not sure the farmers themselves were not
to blame. Men have learned that in
organization is power and power made
available. believe that organization is
useful found in the army the essential
use of organization. Unorganized men
are unequal to organized force. | am
here to press upon your minds the necess-
ity of organization among the farmers.
We have lost much in the past from lack
of union. Some farmers are discouraged.
| am not without hope. He told the
story of the young man who courted for
years without propounding the all-impor-
lant question. SO she turned from Joe
for he, Joe, was too slow. She married
first and second husband and again
a third, who likewise died. At this point
the lady had lost some of her charms and
realizing this turned for fourth TO Joe,
She invited Joe to tea, took him from
there to the cemetery, mourned over her
dead and leaning over Zoe said, Poor
old Joe. Had you not been so bashful you
might have been lying here too"
If anyone thinks the farmers are dead
and want to be buried they are greatly
mistaken. They are much alive and do
not propose to be buried.
Organization is a means to success.
We Iced to study our business and | see
as we 20 around that we need to master
it and we propose to aid in all that will
help We believe in progression and shall
help every force that tends that way.
You are going to see these old farms re-
claimed and made to blossom. If we see
combinations that are exacting too much
we are going to see that this does not oc-
cur. We are going to try to right the
wrong OF unequal taxation, by the force of
our organization. 1t is our fault that it
is unequal. We want to see that too
costly government is reformed We are
opposed to extravagant expenditure
We are to blame for the fact that those
who serve us i'll have chance to serve us
again. We are going to see that this
stops.
We want TO improve the social condi-
tons. 1t is not necessary so much in
New Hampshire as in some other parts of
the country. Without social life we can
not round out the man and woman that
we want. We are going to make the
farm home one Of pleasure-an attractive
home. We are going to make better
men and women of these boys and girls
on the farm than they would be without
the opportunities that the grange affords.
Educate and broaden these men on the
farm. We must give the country schools
greater attention. Here he made a plea
for better teachers. We must give great
er attention to the higher education.
Was the A. and M. at Durham founded
to duplicate the work of other institutions
No, but TO educate in agriculture and the
sciences that pertain TO agriculture. You
have the institution and it was for agricul-
ture. Keep strong men in it. 1t is nc
disgrace to have the hands bronzed with
toll, yet hear farmers talk about educat
ing their sons to gain living without
toll. We want these institutions to
counteraet the feeling shared by farmers
themselves, that it is not quite as gentee
to earn ones living by farming or by tot
as by some other method.
A word in relation to our duties as cit
zens of the republic. Farmers must TAKE
a lively interest in politics. We have
had the power 10 have model govern
ment in every state. but we have not usee
it. We must in the future. We want t.
make patriots first; we are not going tc
organize farmers party, but TO stanc
with those of all industries that are fo
good government.
Mr.. Brigham then pointed out the fault.
Of labor organization in interfering Will
those who desire to labor. He had beer
and funds of farmers. Our position
should be understood, and that we stanc
for the rights of all and are opposed tt
tyranny.
Next we want fair representation o
the farmers in Legislatures. We may no
always need one there, but it is safe t.
have one there. We want the boys t.
feel that the road to success is as direc
from the farm as from any other place.
We have not farmers enough in con
gress had we it would not have been fire,
wool and protected cloth and iron ano
coal the farmer was not there but tn,
trusts were.
Mr.. Brigham was followed by Hon
Alpha Messer, lecture Of the Nationa
Grange who in abiding to education sale
that it comes all along life's ways. A
school the doorway is only .ned t.
education. The reason that we have no
got along faster is that we have not KEEP
up with the wheels of progress.
There are some men of whom it is sale
that they creep into the world There
are men on the farm who work all day
and sleep all night that are of little use t.
the world There are not one-half o
this class that there were twenty-five year.
ago; could the power that we possess BIT
used when we act as individuals, eacf
mans farm would be petty kingdom
The grange has taught men and womer
their own value. They have an oppor
tunity to measure themselves by others
We owe much TO women we should no
have grange in existence, believe hao
it not been for the aid of women.
Mr.. Messer passed to the consideration
of work and its importance. Work ha.
made New England what it is and wher
she fails it will be because we shall ceas,