Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-06-26

Is solicited. Address all communications in
tended for this department to HENRY d
| HAAh0sD, Agricultural Editor Oxford Dem
ocrat, Paris, Me.
The Grange and the Farmer.
Every man is factor of society, anG
as such he is accountable for the man
ner in which he performs the dutie.
which devolve upon him, writes Ma
tional Grange Master N. j. Bachelor
in an exchange.
The first is to his home and family
The second is to his government, thai
permits him to enjoy the blessings and
happiness of his home and family.
The third is to better the conditions
and advance the interests of his chosen
occupation.
Since We are looking at the farmers
side of the question, what should be his
action and what can he do to better his
condition?
There are certain conditions existing
that must be met and overcome to OBJ
tain results desired by the farmer.
What legislation is needed must be Sc
cured by his combined efforts. As an
individual among seventy millions OF
people he is infinitesimally small, and
as an individual he is hopelessly helpless
to do one thing to obtain relief.
The moment the farmer attempts to
relieve any burden created by unjust
taxation or unequal distribution of it,
it makes no difference in what direction,
he is met by an organized force. No
argument is needed at this time to con
vince any intelligent farmer that such is
| the case.
1t is not enough that he complains and
wants something done, but he is morally
bound to do something himself and not
merely wish it done.
He has power and it is his duty to use
that power SO as to make it available
and his influence felt. So that if he
cannot make his influence felt or his
power available as an individual land
say he cannot), his duty is to make ii
so, and that can only be done through
his organized efforts.
Every farmer owes it to society to
assist in securing honest legislators and
lust representation. That lethargy
exists among farmers in regard to polit-
ical duties is evident from the class OF
legislators that represent them, com
posed as it is almost wholly of mel
from other professions and possessing
but little interest in the affairs OF the
farmer.
The farmer has submitted so long to
the powers that be that in many places
he has lost confidence in his ability to
do ANYTHING, and above all, needs the
stimulating influence of farm organi'
zation to awaken his energies and give
him courage. To do the work assigned
to him as a citizen he needs an under
standing of the questions of the day; he
needs preparation that will enable him
to act in the management of the affairs
of his time. In short, he must be able
to stand up and defend his interests
whenever it is required, and the ability
TO think quickly and act courageously
only comes from drill obtained in or
ganization, and farm organization
teaches him to have confidence in his
fellow farmers and acquaints him with
the vital questions affecting his interests.
The farmer was created social being
and needs the wholesome influence oi
organization to keep him so. His busl
ness is comparatively one of isolation
varying in degree according to his en-
vironment. The farmer who lives with
| in the boundaries of 100 acres becomes
very narrow and of little use to his com
munity. His family are correspondingly
dwarted as they are shut out OF society
and are improved as their opportunity
| for association increases. The In
dividual excluded from society will in
time lose his mental powers and become
| oblivious to his own needs as we'll as to
the needs of others. Here again hs
needs farm organization where he with
his family can meet with freedom ano
ease and while cultivating sociability
can secure mental culture and pleasing
| manuers-something that too man!
| farmers homes have neglected.
Without further arguments, all agree
that the farmer needs to organize, anC
without any hesitation We say thu
grange is his best organization. III
declaration of purposes is as hne a doc
ument as we have ever seen written oy
man. Its application to farm life, ant
fine sentiment contained, cannot be sur
passed. With its 32 years of existence
| in which time it has met the surveil
lance of every opposition, it has no
been found wanting in any particular
IL has stood the test, while many othe
organizations which have sought to i'm
prove upon it have met with disaste
and ruin. The plan of the grange IL
righ in being made co-existent with the
needs of the farmer, having an organi
zation in the township, county, state ant
nation, whereby it is able to serve hin
in every sphere. Anything short of thi
is deficient.
The grange may be called the liber
ator of the American farmers wife, as
was the first organization that gave t
woman the same privileges and rights a
are enjoyed by man. In doing this
has not only turned on the radiant ligh
of hope for her. but it has strengthened
the union of both, has created deepe
love for home, aud given inspiration fol
better thoughts. nobler deeds, and high
or aims for the future. Men need NOR
of the refining influence of women
There is nothing that so retines man q
a good woman, and no audience, associa
ton, or organization with women elimi
mated can be so modest, so refined, or 8
complete as with woman in IT..
There is nothing equal to the grang
in giving opportunity to the boys ant
GIRLS on the farm. Here the laten
ability of the boy is awakened and hop
engendered until we see him develops
Into a fuller and more complete man
In SO doing, he takes greater pride D
his work. more interest in the farm, an
his attachments for it are Increases
many times. The girl, now, has oppoi
tunity, and her genius brightens, whil
her refined nature responds readily Wit
graceful manners and greater anectio
| for all that is near and dear to her.
The impress of the grange on its men
bers has a great influence for good.
makes better men and better womer
and incites all to higher plane OF lif'