Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-04-06
Address of Welcome.
Made at Pomona Grange, Thursday
March 2nd 1899

lMlGe Al tOlUtlld NtidL-tn Ah''@-'N'''.
March End 1891
OF the many pleasant duties that we
are called on to perform few afford rs
more pleasure than the one assigned 70
me by Grange No. PA, the pleasure OF
bidding vou welcome here to day. Since
last we met in the capacity OF the
Grange in this place many wonderful
events have occurred. Our nailon mas
been called on to assert her dignity, TO
enlarge her army. TO strengthen her
navy. to discipline her citizens III the
art of war. all because one Of the most
iIli+arate and uuchristian ofnations seem.
iuglv has found pleasure in adding
cruelty and suffering to our nelghborS,
tbe Cubans. 1t is one of the charac-
teristics of the American people that
when thev have sufficient the cruelty
and tyranny of an ungrateful nation
they are amply qualified TO sympathy
witirthose of like passion and so when
the dignity of our nation Is in question
when the emblem of all that IS true, all
that il elevating IS insulted when the
cause of humanity is the issue then the
soldiers and citizens answered nobly 70
the call of our president anxious to ana
in liberating Il portion of enslayed hu-
manitv ready to declare their love
there allegiance to the flag OF the union.
Politics forgotten. sectlonallzm FOR
gotten. they answered to the call
mighty army marching from their nome
NOT because of revenge or OF conquest
but because of the cry of hunger and dis,
tres. because of the burdens of the cruel
taskmasters have aroused the sympathy
of a liberty loving people Even the
most sangline hopes of American heroes
were more than realized. For from the
shop. the farm, the pulpit, the bar, the
halls of congress came forth those
sturdy patriots ready to bear thelrarmS
in the cause of right. And so dear
friends the events of the year nave
crowded on us thick and fast Our
beautiful battle ship Maine as she
sped on her peaceful mission carrying
the greetings of liberty-loylng people
little thought of the treachery that lay
beneath those Cuban waters and WAlch
hurled into eternity without moments
warning two hundred and sixty-slX OF
those who were dear to every American
citizen.
In Havana harbor lies the remains OF
one of our fair ships, total wreck nuF
silently prOclaiming to the passer5-py
and succeeding generations the syLnpd-
thy and love we entertain for those VINO
are battling for the right Inc winds
as they whistle among the broken rag
ments seem to bring to our ear tnat cry
of distress which touched the sympa
thies of every man, woman ana chlld OF
America but the same wind also
brought TO our ears that shout Wnlch
caused the kingdom of Spain to quake
which caused continental Europe TO
nd Snun141
in every part of the known world the
cry which echoed and reechoed, we are
coming Father William thirteen mi
lion strong.
But dear friends the war is over the
last battle has been fought, the smoke
has cleared away and the sun shines on
a nation united in hand and heart ma
ton Of loyal liberty-loving people na-
tion without an Arnold.
But the last year has likewise been
an important one in the history OF organ
jzation. Society has organized IN man
ifold ways for the protection OF this hu-
man family, many societies report a
largely increased membership, greater
zeal. better attendance than former
wears. whether this is true OF the Grange
/ am not prepared to say, but organlza,
ton has laid fast hold of society and
fraternal have been the means by winch
the human family can meet and grasp
each others hands in fraternal TREND
ship. They have been ore OF the Dnl-
warks of society ana enabled hun TO
soar TO great height and provide Tor
their temporal wants in way ia which
he could not have done had they not
existed. OF the many fraternal socle-
ties that are now in existence, do not
hesitate to say that none are more de
serving of our consideration than the
Orange. None have purer principles
none promotes socialbility better and
none seek 10 educate the members OF
| the order in the questions OF every day
life. And it is for the discussion or
these subjects that we have assembled
here today TO study the problems that
confront rs on the farm and IN our
| home. TO give our best methods TO those
| of our brothers and sisters and 10 take
| in return the result Of their experience
aud tina enable each other 10 Woi
| to q better advantage, 10 be more sys-
| tematic.in our plans and ways Of living
| TO make the burdens of life lighter and
make rs all more dutiful parents, pros
perious farmers better citizens and
more useful in our different positions.
| Then dear brothers and sisters ] bid you
welcome to our hall welcome to our
homes, welcome 10 everything that Will
add to your happiness and may your
deliberations be OF such character that
our noble order may build up and that
| others of our friends and neighbor,
may come and cast in their lot with Us
and that the day may be fastened IN
| which the farmers of our great country
8 hall stand together one mighty army
| dismaying proper recognition.
ISAAC NJ. DYKE.