The Somerset reporter., 1907-08-29
Field Day of the Somerset Pomona
at Lakewood
Splendid Day and a Great Gathering
of the Patrons of Somerset

of the Patrons of Somerset
The Annual Field Day of the Som
erset Pomona came off at Lakewood,
Thursday, August %. 1t was just
such a day as had been anxiously
hoped for, and called out one of the
largest gatherings of members of the
order ever held in Somerset county.
AT 1890 a. m. the audience had as
sembled at the band stand and was
called to order by Geo. B. Walker,
master of the Pomona, who called
upon the secretary of the Pomona to
offer prayer. The first speaker was
Hon. B. W. McKeen, ex secretary Of
the Maine Board of Agriculture. He
spoke along Grange lines comparing
the Declaration of Independence by
our ancestors, with the independence
that established the freedom of the
farmer when the Grange was organ
lied. The Grange meant the indie
sents the education that is broad and
lasting. Our education is gradually
changing for the better, the business
of the farm is being elevated and
agriculture is being brought to a
higher plain, and all this because of
the Grange. One hundred years ago
our fathers met in Independe hall
and established this republic. 1t was
at first an experiment.. Now its per-
maneney is ass ured. Let us stand by
principles that give to all an open and
fair chance, that will maintain I'M
sullied our flag, and elevate our COM
mon citizenship.
Hon. NJ. L. Merrill was the next
speaker. He claimed Somerset as his
home and was therefore at home in
the grand state of Maine. He spoke
of the beautiful sceneries here in this
State unsurpassed anywhere in this
country. He wanted to refer to our
declaration of purposes, and mention
ed the fact that we did not have com
plete liberty and independence till
after the war for the union closed.
Slavery existed previous to the war
giving lie to the assertion that this
was free country. The hand of the
martyred Lincoln gave us a free
country. But there is something
wanting now in this State of Maine
that must be consid cred, and this Or
ganization that we represent here to-
day is in position to correct these
great errors. Mr.. Merrill spoke en-
phatically against the extravagant ap-
preparations that were made by the
last legislature and considers that it
was unnecessary and wholly uncalled
for. The Grange has in the past ad-
vocated and defended certain laws
that govern the sale of products to
protect the legitima ate products of the
farm. 1t has also adjusted taxation in
such manner as to cause more OF an
equality in taxable property. Mr..
Merrill believes that we are having
entirely too many offices with head
quarters at the State capital. He has
represented the Patrons of Husband
ry in opposing unnecessary officers
and thereby unnecessary salaries, and
he believes that the Grange is with
him and has been with him in his
efforts to oppose unnecessary ex-
pense. The Grange must and will con-
tinue to be conservative, but at the
same time will be aggressive. 1t
must be opposed to large aggregations
of wealth, wrongly taken from the
people. The Grange stands for all
that is good and grand in it's princi-
piles of right and justice. Let us al
ways turn to the higher purposes OF
life.
This closed the morning session.
At the opening of the afternoon
session an increased number had
gathered at the stand to welcome the
speakers of the afternoon.
Company E military band rendered
an inspiring selection after which,
Hon. F. A. Derthick, Master of Ohio
State Grange, opened the speak
ing. The speaker came from Ohio to
learn how things are done in Maine.
There are fifty Thousand patrons in
Ohio who stand for the same princi-
pies and are engaged in the same
great work that the patrons are in
Maine. The bed rock of our order is
educational and social advancement.
The speaker mentioned of war that
we have heard SO much about. How
it was carried on and its object. We
are now engaged just as ardently to
carry forward great movements but it
is done with brains and not with bull
let's. The grange represents a new
order of things and rests upon a
foundation that is permanent, upon
principles that are lasting. The
speaker referred to work and custom
in Ohio and mentioned them to illus
trate points in practical work and
practical life. Learning how to do
things is the way to success. 1t is not
SO much in splendid form and physi-
cal force as In practical knowledge
gained by experience combined with
a will to learn and to do. Mr.. Der
thick believes in husband and wife oc-
casionally and quite often too, break
ing from hard work on the farm or
elsewhere, and going out into the
world to see something and get ac-
quainted with others outside of their
own family. 1t is the Grange that
comes right in here and supplies the
opportunity, takes its members in
hand and leads them out into broader
fields of usefulness, widens their
knowledge and sociability and makes
better men and women Of them. Nor
is that all, 1t is through the efforts of