Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-22

ton OF the people of the rural sections
mentally. morally and materially. and
| would advise their continuance.
The grange has its mission. Its mis-
sion is backed by the home. From the
agriculturalists of the nation there
comes no agitations with wild theories
| Of impossible reforms. The Patrons
come with all strength to uphold the la W
and TO make better the conditions under
which We live. The agricultursts are
II majority of orr country. They
represent property ana the accumu-
| lations OF industry. In the organi-
Iation Of this class the country has no
cause for fear ami much to hope for.
Property is the object OF thrift The
property owners are the police of the
republic. it goes without saying that
the grange viii devote its time to the
hetterment of its membership.
Already much benefit has come to the
! members but it has not nearly reached
! the limit Of its usefulness. The organ-
! izdti0n owes something TO the State in
| The same sense that the individual
| does. The grange then should ana
! does concern itself with public Ques-
/ tons. TIE citizen vino cares nothing
| for the good Of the common citizenship
Of the State is unworthy of the benefits
of good government nor will he
| long enjoy them if he remains indiffer-
! ent.
Now, YOU say you advise the grange
| 70 so into politics, and answer that is
just what it is. Some 20 into politics
for the good OF their friends 60 others
FOR lo crnnI of =,
the good OF themselves. The hope of
This republic lies in those who 20 into
politics for tie good of the nation and
for the bettcrnlcnt of humanity every
where. The grange cliiipt go into pol
tics for the places that IRE to be had.
There are about nine millions too many
at this already. The grange can go
into politics. however te'see to it that
those who have public places shall no,
forget that they are public servants
and must render an account of their
work
Tie agriculturalists of the nation are
! in q position to impress upon the par
t;sans of the land the great fact that
hey have in their hands the making
and unmaking of political parties.
/ With such an organization always on
the heights of patriotism. overlooking
the field, who doubts that whatever
rarty might be in power the people
would receive the best service possible
at its hands? The immortal watch
word, Eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty did not lose its meaning when
the war was over. 1t is the watch
| word of peace as well.
NATIONAL GRANGE.
The 3Sth annual session of the Ma
tional grange was held in the beautiful
city Of Portland, Oregon, where every
| effort was made by the loyal patrons
of Oregon and Washington, reinforced
| by the citizens and board of commerce,
| to- entertain the members of the Ma
tional grange acceptably and protita-
| bly,, to the end that the order or Pa
irons Of IIusbandry might be benefited.
| We found the people of the Pacific
coast to he more like the New Eng
| lander than those in any other part of
| the country m which we have been.
| We were very agreeably surprised to
| find the order so we'll established in the
west. and we believe the visit to the
Pacific will, as a money investment,
| finally result to great advantage to the
order
At the public reception the members
were made welcome by the governor of
| Oregon, the mayor of Portland, and the
citizens Of the State.
Excursions We're furnished the Ma
tional grange to Corvallis. the state
agricultural college being located there
where we were very cordially received.
| The board Of trade gave an excursion
to the coast, 116 miles down the Column
bia river. and on our return they
brought us by boat 125 miles up the
Columbia to the Dallas, where they
| left us to proceed on our homeward
| journey.
| Although not many in numbers, the
Pacific coast contains as loyal and en-
thusiastic Patrons as there are in the
| whole country.
! The session continued ten DAYS and
| acted upon as many questions affecting
| the future of the order; chief among
| which, calling for immediate attention
and support from the entire member
ship, is the good roads bill the move-
ment to obtain a government parcel
post delivery, and opposition to the re-
peal of the Grout laws for the protec-
ton of the honest dairyman. These
measures should at once receive the
undivided support of all our members,
in urging upon our representatives in
Congress to give them support. The
National grange also reaffirmed its po-
sition on the following questions which
We are sure to win if we are persistent,
as they are right:
Provide for postal savings banks.
Submit an amendment to the con-
stitution providing for the election of
United States senators by direct vote
| of the people.
Submit an amendment to the consti-
tuition granting the power to Congress
to regulate and control all corporations
and explanations! preventing monopo-
", and the use of their corporate pow
ers Equestrian trade or arbitrarily es-
tabliSH prices
! tContinu4d ~ pagV -