The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-03-22
Address of Welcome.

Following Is the address of welcome
to Somerset Pomona, March 18th, by the
Lecturer Of Athens Grange
Worthy Master, Brothers and Sisters
of Somerset Pomona Grange:
Welcome Pomona Fair skies and n
summer sun have attended you on your
journey to our home; and now you will
find the harbinger of spring Is already
here putting forth buds of promise In all
our hearts, and ere long the white
mantle that covers the earth will disap-
pear and mother nature be all ready for
the farmers cooperation. So, however
pleasing 1t may be to me TO express the
welcome Of my grange, 1t Is quite im-
possible to give adj quate expression to
the sentiments yelling up 10 the hearts
of the members of the Athens grange,
and the deep pleasure 1t affords them OF
entertaining Somerset Pomona.
It Is happy revelation to the patron
that the grange Is the embodiment Of a
better and higher plane OF life on the
farm and source of restful and joyful
recreation to meet Ia fraternal fellow
ship and labor for mental and social sd-
vancement.
It lie a year and a half since Pomona
extended the fraternal hand to Athens
grange; and, II we have sometimes felt
that you had left US to our fate, we are
happy to say we have been able to stand
the test through our excellent powers OF
absorption, having appropriated much
that your influence for good has directed
to other fields. Our Pomona is our guild
ing star in the search for social equality
and the educational uplifting OF the
farmer, while the subordinate grange Is
part of that coherent power that links
together the fraternal chain that en-
circles q people whose vocation forms
the foundation upon which the hope Of
the nation must rest.
SO, with the Astounding delight of ar
ticpation Athens grange welcomes you
to its home and to Its hospitality. the ex.
terDal evidences of which are but transi-
tory, yet expressing In its wake deeper
sense of our loyalty to the Pomona and
to the duties that come through instruc-
ton and cooperation. More and more
do the people OF other nations look to us
for the staff Of life. Our domain Is 80
broad, our climate so varied, our know
ledge so increasing we are enabled to
make pestilence, drouth and famine local
and of short duration. SO let us
earnestly hope that the brotherhood Of
man will be speedily recognized that the
apity of nations may be permanently
established.
Never 10 the history of our country
has the work 10 agriculture so received
its due tribute TO the resources 1t con-
tributes to the wealth, the power and
the character building of the nation as
at the present time. Today the public
press, the statesman, the politician all
acknowledge that the farmer through
organization, is potent factor in the
distribution Of power, wealth and wis
dom. The cause for this awakening is
manifest In our legislative. branch OF
government more than anywhere else.
1t Is perplexing problem to the wisdom
of the sages. More practical and hUme-
spun education is the order Of the day In
our graded institutions OF learning; and
it Is true the sons and daughters on the
farm must be prepared for those greater
responsibilities that make for political
patriotism. The nation will surely need
them to maintain its stalwarr national
character. 1t Is pleasing to know that
we are q part of Latlon that aspires to
such lofty ideals Of life.
AS an organic ltion, the Patrons of
Husbandry occupies prominent place
In implanting these ideals In the hearts
Of the yeomaDry of our land. These
priceless blessings teach US that we
should look upon our fields, our forests,
our herds and our fncks, our schools,
and our character not 10 the spirit of
brutal subsection, not with an unlim =
ing hand, not In he spirit of selfishness
but with u regenerated nature born Of
that fraternal spirit that is teaching US
through the combined work Of our noble
order 10 btautify the face of nature, 10
preserve the wealth of the soil, to sup.
plement the education of our children !;
that to know myself is greater know.
ledge pointing to the illustrations ex.
amples OF men and women reared on the
farm whose characters have illumintd
the pages OF history from the beginning,
and are pi lars of strength to our great
Republic whose Outstretched arms are q
symbol of help to the weak and whose
motto lie the plowshare and the pen.
SO, In conclusion | would say the well
come of Athens to the members of Son.
erset Pomona is but a loving tribute r-
flecting the joy Of your presence and
uour uoad mOrka