Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-16
OPENING DAY.
CONTINUED from page y.

cations Of candidates is set forth in
clear and well-defined language. In
it's present form it was framed and
submitted by the National Grange and
ratified by the State oranges. It is
the organic law OF every subordinate
organization, the only chart and COM
pass that we can use, and we must
rigidly follow it's intentions If we wish
or expect a prosperous voyage by the
grange ship OH the sea Of prejudice
and criticism, and the satisfaction of
visiting peaceful shores. The ruling
of Past Master Woodman of the Ma
tional Grange is that the order of P.
OF H. is a farmers organization and
none but those who are actually en-
gagged in agriculture, in other words,
are farmers in the general acceptance
of the term, and have no interests in
conflict with the objects and purposes
of the order, are eligible to member
snip in our order. This language, clear
and explicit, and its meaning unmis-
taxable, is made by one of the oldest
men ever in the national chair as
master. A subordinate grange cannot
decide by majority vote as to the quail
ifications of an applicant.
1t is the duty of a master of SUBJ
ordinate grange, both by the laws of
the order and his or her official obj
CATION, not to allow ballot to be taken
on the application of a person who
from any cause is clearly ineligible to
membership. Covering all the points
herein involved, / quote from the
Maine Farmer which says truly, in
strong language:
HE who holds touch with the cur
rent of grange work in New England
and especially in Maine, must be con-
scious Of an increasing interest in all
that pertains to the best advancement
of the rural home. AT the same time
this very condition has kindled desire
on the part Of designing persons out
side to manipulate the order, if pos
sible, for personal ends. Never was
there a demand for wise leadership
like the present. never a day when the
true friend of the grange should cry,
Hands Off to the outside influences,
becoming, in certain sections, boldly
aggressive. If this order lives and
thrives 1t will be only by holding firm
ly to the purposes for which it was
created. 1t was instituted solely for
the benefit of those directly interested
in rural life and the development of
the farm. 1t was intended to be an or
ganization differed by men and wom-
en- from the farms, interested in rural
schools, and DESTROYS Of building up
the rural life of the State. ~
with singleness of purpose it has
stood loyalty to its purpose and the re-
suit is degree of strength never
thought possible, but the crucial period
in the history of an order like this,
comes when those outside attempt to
control its policy and selfish interests
seek to influence members
"Open the door and admit to men,
bership those whose ambition is to
gain fbothold that they may shape
future political action and the order
starts upon a policy which: will surely
end in its destruction. Open the doors
for those not personally identified with
agriculture and inevitably agriculture
will be shut out of the grange.
True it is that man is a many-sided
being and all must be cultivated, but il
is also true that the upbuilding of this
great fundamental industry is of such
transcendent Importance, its scope OF
work so broad and it's conditions sc
complex that it will surely suffer I'M
less recognized as the chief purpose
for which the grange came into being
The pride we all feel over the ac-
complishments Of the past six years
the strengthening Of the bonds OF
union for the promotion of agriculture
realized by every patron, is the out
come Of the conservative policy which
has dominated the workers and this
must continue. The grange has wor
! its way TO the front because it's lead
n ers have held firmly to the defense OF
the farm and the farmer and the pro-
motion of their best interests. And in
the days to come. this defense must be
more pronounced because the condi-
tions are to be more exacting. Only
by holding firmly, steadily, persistent
ly, to the course mapped out and fol-
lowed by the great bulk Of patrons
can the order maintain its position OF
hope to increase its influence