Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-12-31
The State Master on the Orange.


With this session my official term Of
master closes. Had sufficient COM
mand of language, possibly l might be
able in a small degree to convey to you
my deep and lasting appreciation OF the
many honors, and what is Of even great
or value to me, the confidence you have
reposed in me, and the thousands of
friends that have stood 80 Loyalty by my
side during these ten years that you
have by your own voluntary act placed
upon me the high and responsible duties
of master of the Maine State Grange; a
responsibility which / regard to be as
great, and an honor second to no office
within the gift of the state. Your
friendship and confidence l hope to re-
tain as long as I remain on earth. In
the attempted discharge of the duties
imposed upon me to perform, my mis-
takes, fully realize, would make by far
the larger volume. While at times it
may be that we have been unnecessarily
harsh, it has been done with the single
purpose of maintaining the integrity of
what I believe to be the grandest Or
ganization of modern times.
1t was my lot to be called upon to per-
form the duties of master when there
seemed to be lack of respect for many
of our organic laws which involved
many intricate questions that had to be
met in some instances with firm hand
but always without malice to any.
With "The good of the order" as our
text we have done what we could along
constructive lines to build up the order
of Patrons of Husbandry, doing what we
could to avoid destructive agencies.
That our efforts have not been alto
gether in vain is evidenced by increased
mem bership above $4,000, by the we'll
established subordinate oranges all over
our state, by the improved social con-
ditions wherever the grange exists, by
the better understanding of many pub
lie questions, knowledge of which
has been brought about through the ad-
vent of the grange, and further through
the high standing of the order and its
great influence in leading and shaping
public opinion. All these things pay
eloquent tribute to the character of
work being done by the grange OF
Maine.
In doing these things the grange con-
tributes muCu W luo iuttuoh SiootnooS
of the state.
As the silent, invisible strength of
electricity from the heart of the dyna-
mo moves the great wheels of industry,
turns the wheels of factories, lights,
warns and moves the railways of our
time, so does an intelligent, conserva-
tive, we'll considered public opinion al
ways reflect itself in good government
and positive legislation. And methinks
can with prophets eye lift the veil OF
the future and see the cause of the
grange continue onward and upward
until it shall have become fixed guam
tity in the governmental fabric through
which we shall have attained an emil
nence not even dreamed of at present.
To do these things the grange must be
kept under the control of those who
have practical interest in its funda-
mental purposes. believe in the
grange. l believe in its ability to CON-
pletely revolutionize the rural life OF our
state: but to do its mission it must
never be allowed to be used as an in
strument to advance the schemes or
serve the purpose of the demagogue.
The opportunity for as rapid and sub
stantial growth in the future as in the
past is equally good, if aggressively car
red out and if it is kept in the course
set forth so clearly in our Declaration of
Purposes. from State Master
Gardner at the State Grange.