Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-23
OFFICERS ERECTED.
Continued from page ~

AJ
number of resolution We're introduced
which were referred to various com.
mittees for consideration. One resolu-
ton asked for the erection of a grange
home on the Maine State fair grounds
for the convenience of patrons durin.
fair week
The only report submitted during TIL.
day was that of<the worthy lecturer.
Hon. w. w. Stetson, which was read
at the morning session. 1t was an able
and interesting paper. deserving the
vigorous applause it received. 1t is
given below in full.
Report Of Lecturer.
TO the Members of the Maine State
The three things which are most intlu-
entail in making persons safe members of
society are true sense of responsibility
a Just sense of values and a wholesome
self-respect
History teaches that majority of the
persons who have attained distinction
We're born in country homes. So far as
human vision can reach it is clear that
the men and women who are to be re.
sponsiblc in large measure. for the prog
reSS OF the world are to come from the
farms. From whatever source they come
II is certain they must receive that train
ing in the home and school which will fit
them for the labor which the world needs
| to have done. The preparation for life
which was sufficient for days that are
past Will not be sufficient for days which
are to come We live in a larger world.
with broader horizon than was known
to our ancestors. Communities states and
nations are neighbors. No one can be
what the times demand of him unless he
| is cosmopolitan in capacity, training
knowledge. A part of these powers are
inherited; the others are acquired. Par
ents must transmit to their offspring ca
pacity to do and to become. The child
must master himself. the subjects he
studies, the situation in which he is
placed. and know the age in which he
nves. III, These masterful qualities depend
upon that courage capacity. industry and
| independence which come from living
close to nature and achieving it's con-
quest. The strong people of any commu-
nifty have been tried in the school of
struggle and trained in the university of
| emergencies. They have had their re-
sources tested in ways which have de-
veloped in them observation. thought. de-
sire to study and a Willingness to work.
The degeneracy of Il people has begun
when they have ceased to produce con-
trolling characters in its rural homes
| Whenever the rush for the centers Of
population becomes the absorbing passion
of the nation. and when these centcrs
have grown to be the controlling factor
in the nations destiny. then the day Of
doom has been set, and the catastrophe is
certain. The masSing of large numbers
of people in small areas the indulgence
III vicious habits and customs. the con-
taminaton which follows unlicensed lux
! ury are mankind'S tercest enemies and
cannot be withstood unless Il stream of
pure. strong. rich blood flows into these
| reservoirs from the surrounding rura!
communities. Upon the farmers OF the
country rests the responsibility of fur
| nishing boys and girls Of such fibre and
capacity as will make it possibl" for them
to grow into the leaders of the nation.
This cannot be done unless our people are
readers students thinkers and have that
| quality and power which make them
strong in personality and rich in charac-
| ter. They must breed in their children
high ideals. furnish them with that in
SEPARATION which will start them oh the
/ road to their realization and be the
source and wellspring of those qualities
which make for steadneSS. ruggedneSS
and righteousness.
Those things which exert the largest
control over us are the powers and in
hlences which come to us by Inheritance
Acts that We do unconscously show The
tone and tenor of our lives. Hence the
Importance of breeding in children those
instincts and tendencies which will pur
suade them to thoughtfulness. courtesy.
dignity. sense of responsibility. d desire
to be the best and do the most for others.
1t takes a number of generations to in
still a principle into il body of people
with such commanding strength as will
make it Il controlling influence in their
lives. The tendencies we inherit are pow
erful in helping to walk in the right
path. or they lead us astray in the wrong
way.
A just sense of values makes it easy for
Jus to exalt important things to the first
place and retire those of minor conse-
quence to their proper station Many
lives are ruined because the mistake is
made of devoting the most of the thought
and large part of the effort to things
that are not worth the while. We strug-
gle for those things which perish with
their day and can accomplish no valuable
end while they exist. No matter should
give us serious concern which is not OF
+ service to us or use to others.
No person is safe member of any com
munity who has not sufficient reasons for
} entertaining a wholesome respect for
himself. If he is wanting in those quail
tiles. destitute of those powers, or lack
ing in that capacity which. make him of
use to the world he will soon join the
dangerous class. 1t gives one pause wheff
| he realizes that when one loses his self
respect. he loses the most powerful lntlu-
ence within him to right living.
The way in which one meets these i'm
portant questions is materially affected
by ones physical surroundings Tho
Equality and character of ones physical
life depends largely upon his success in
producing and his intelligence in consum-
ing. These matters are intimately con-
nected with the burning question of the
day. l. e.. competition. Machinery and
monopolies have so changed the condi-
lions which control on the farm, that
thoughtful people are concerned as to the
results which are to follow these revou-
tons While it is not clear what social
, ISM paternalsm. communism or any yer
to be invented ism may bring us. yet 1t
is apparent that we have been eXtfaVa-
giant and wasteful in producing and
Wasteful and eXtravagant in consuming.
ANY one who has made study of the
waste which takes place on the farm Is
appalled, at the added cost of the article
produced by uninteligent methods. Large
as is the waste in production. yet 1t Is
doubtful if it approXimates the waste sur
i / fered in consumption. There is moral