The Republican journal., 1909-09-02
William Tell
WALDO POMONA GRANGE.

Response to the address of welcome at Waldo
Pomona Grange, held with Seaside Grange,
Belfast, August "a, 1909, made by D. O. Bowen,
and ordered printed by vote of the grange
Worthy Master, Sister Rackiffe: In behalf
of Waldo County Pomona Grange it becomes
my duty to respond to your cordial welcome,
and through you to extend to Seaside grange
the thanks of Waldo county patrons for your
words of welcome-the warm hand clasps, the
bounteous dinner, and the many courtesies,
that make those words seem to come from the
warm hearts of true brothers and sisters. |
shall not try in the brief time allotted me to
dilate upon the many rich thoughts you have
presented in your address, Grand as they are,
warm as our welcome has been, it was just
what we expected from you, and from Seaside
Grange. For we have learned from past ex-
perience, that in literary ability, and in all that
makes a strong working grange, Seaside is
the peer Of any other in Waldo county.
We meet here today as members of the great
Order of Patrons of Husbandry; an order that
is known the world over for its many bene-
ficient achievements; for its broad non-parti-
san conservatism for its principles and pur-
poses; which knows no east, no west, no north,
no south, but labors ever for the good of the
order, and through the order for the good of
all mankind. Its aim is to educate and elevate.
1t stands next to the church, with which it
works in harmony in intoxicating the princi-
pies of temperance and morality, and, with
Faith in Cod is leading the rising genera
ton to truer, nober life. The power and in
fiuence of the grange at present is immeas-
urable.
In our good State of Maine 10000 Patrons,
meeting weekly, in their own grange homes
farmers and their wives, sons and daughters
engage in social converse, listening to and TAX
ing part in literary programs and educational
contests are being educated cultured and ele-
waited in thought, word and deed, The farmer
is no longer considered to be merely the mud
sill of society, newer of wood and drawer of
water but is the equal of any man or class of
men. And why not? Agriculture is the oldest
and noblest of professions. God in the begin
ming made it honorable and it is our duty to
sustain it as such
At the Field Day in MontvilIe, we listened
with degree of pride and pleasure to Morti-
mer Whitehead of N. j., as he recounted the
past history of the order and what it had ac-
complished in securing National legislation
which has proved benefcent in results.
There is vast field yet, where the granger
can legitimately work and many lines of ac-
ton are before us. The tasks seem so hercu-
lean, that we call for every tiller of the soil to
join US and become co-laborers.
Our declaration of purposes should con-
stantly be kept before the mind of each mem
Der of the grange, that no time be lost in dis
cussing irrelevant things or in useless labor.
Under these purposes each grange, under the
guidance of the Master and Lecturer, should
be made to feel that there is purpose in
every meeting; that they working to ac-
complish something of value and that some
thing is worth striving for. In fact, there
should be well defined objects in view.
Individual influence tells. but when rs or a
hundred intelligent men and women unite in
an organization like the Grange the combined,
united influence of these men and women is
most potent. | wonder if we realize this To-
Gated as we are in nearly every little village in
Maine, Questions are constantly arising in
each community, upon the right answer to
which depends the veal or of its citizens.
The grange should decide such questions, and
make that decision final
After thirty five years of education and eX-
perience by the order in Maine | am led to in
quire whether we shall ever advance in those
things that lead to our financial profit and po-
litica well being. Are we always to be at the
mercy of the middleman? Will the day ever
come when agricultural interests will be repre-
scented in legislature and Congress by men en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits? Why is this
long delay in securing postal savings banks,
parcels posts and good roads? And what is
Waldo County Pomona doing as an organiza-
ton to bring these much desired and just
things to pass through speedy legislation?
Would it be well for the patrons of Waldo
county to cooperate in buying and selling, as
is so largely done in other States, and even to
a larger extent in the counties of Europe?
Brothers and Sisters What are we doing in
our subordinate oranges and in this Pomona
Grange? Yes, social life and its pleasures are
desirable. Education adds power; but unless
we grapple with the enemies to progress and
wisely use the opportunities before us to free
ourselves from every incubus that rides re-
morselessly over our chosen honorable profess
sion, then we would deserve to be still simply
hewers of wood and drawers of water.
Again, in behalf of Waldo County Grange
would not only thank you for what you have
done to make this day pleasant and profitable
to US, but wish you large measure of success
as you begin work again in your own home
and may Seaside Grange ever be fruitful in
good works, SO that her influence may be felt
in this city by the sea. morally, intellectually
and financially.