Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-15
Waterville Warmly
Welcomes Grange.
CONTINUED from Page One.)


to YOU, but as an organization and as a
municipality, we are not strangers, but
true and fast friends, for / believe that
in 1903, a mutual feeling of interest
and friendship was formed between us,
that time can never sever. If the
records read correctly, your meeting
here in 1903 was both pleasant and
profitable to you, and had not you
made a favorable impression upon our
citizens at that time. you would not
have been invited here for this meet
ing.
Your organization is one that any
might well be proud to hold aftilia-
tons with, made up, as it is, of such
representative men and women as l
see before me at this time; men and
women who are trying by their inliu-
ence to elevate and cnnOble their fell
low beings, trying to make better
homes, and bring more advantages to
the occupants of the home, particularly
so to those that are isolated. But
thanks to the now common use of the
telephone and rural delivery, and
many other things that the influence of
your organization has done much to
bring about, these isolated homes are
fast passing away, and we are being
welded into one vast family with in
terestS common to all.
Those who organized your society
builded well. far better, ] think, than
were their fondcst anticipations, and
when the cardinal principles of your
order were selected, it would seem that
they had prophetic vision, for, not
only We're they appropriate for that
time. but what more fitting could be
had for the present, with the ceaseless
struggle for wealth and power that
one sees on every hand, than those I'M
der which you are today working.
IN essentials, Unity Unity stands
for strength. and without unity, no
county. state or organization can long
withstand the forces from without
that are always exerting their infiu-
ence to tear down and rend asunder
When one pauses to think that of all
the population of our country nearly
so per cent. are engaged in agriculture,
and that nearly 20 per cent. of our
total wealth is represented by the
products of agriculture, fair estimate
OF the possibilities of your order may
be made, if all who are entitled by
occu patton to hold aftiliation with you
should put into execution the first
cardinal principle of your order.
I'm non-essentials. Liberty" as you
believe the greatest possible liberty
should be granted to all, if, by the ex-
ercise Of this principle, one does not
Interfere with the well-being Of
others.
'In all things, Charity The ex-
ercise of charity is the greatest virtue
Of mankind, and it is a Divine CON-
mand that we exercise this virtue
toward each other.
1t is usually customary, I think
when extending the freedom of a
municipality to visitors, to make a
special feature of telling, in general
way, at least, something about the re-
sources, the industries, the railroad
facilities, the hotel accommodations,
the churches, the schools, and the
people Of the municipality. It is not
my purpose at this time to do any
thing of this kind, rather leaving you
to form your own impressions of these
things by your observations while
here. And as to our people, 7 trust
and fully believe. that they will render
you such hospitality that you will have
no hesitancy in coming to our city
again at no very distant day.
1 am here this evening. rot as an in
dividual. but as the representative of
the citizens of Waterville and am
speaking. not for myself, but for them.
Yet I think I may be pardoned if I say
to you that a personal element enters
into this occasion that I cannot well
ignore, and that is, although I have
not the honor of being ore of you, am
very near to you, and can feel with
YOU in the great work that you are
carrying out, and have knowledge of
the necessity of persistent, organized
effort along the lines that you are
working. I have this sympathy with
you because I was born and spent my
early days on one of the little farms of
Maine, upon which my grandfather
fellcd the trees, burned and dug out
the stumps before he could plant his
crops, and upon the same farm my
father spent nearly all of his eighty
six Woodworking years, not having
the privileges that you have made it
possible for the farmers of today to
have.
You are welcome twice welcome.
We gladly give you the freedom Of the
city, and place at your DISPOSAL what
ever you may find of use to you
therein. May your stay here bring
YOU both profit and pleasure are the
sentiments of our twelve thousand
citizens.
c. S. Stetson. master of the State
Grange. responded in behalf of the
Patrons, who are to hold their 35th
annual convention. Mr.. Stetson told Of
the earlier experience of the Grange
and spoke of the cordiality of the Wa
people. He considered it an
honor to be able to thank the citizens
for their Kindness
Master c. s. Stetson spoke of the (
advantages Of the Rural Free deliv- |
cry and of the obstacles underwent by |
the rural citizens during the past |
years. He stated that the Grange was
doing its utmost to promote the par
eel post, postal savings law and was |
confident that inside the next 10 years
that the United States senators would |
DC elected by popular vote.
c. d. Richardson. master of the