The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-02-23
GOOD GRANGE PLATFORM.
Tn Which Is Outlined the Grange At
tftude In Affairs of To-day

In his annual address on the Work
OIL the year, State Master Charles MI
Gardner, of Massachusetts. at the
annual state session In WOrchester,
outlined "a Grange Platform" which
is as applicable to other states as 70
Massachusetts, and which summarizes
in a particularly concise and instruc-
tive way the grange attitude in to
days affairs. tit was a. follows:
I. That we shall recognize the
great present need OF agriculture TOT
encouragement and shall endeavor
Ito meet that need by every means
within the power of this great far
reaching organization; by legislation,
by appropriation, by education, by
cooperation to the end that TO the
farmers themselves greater reallza-
zion Of the dignity and honor OF
their calling may b. brought, and to
all other classes a new appreciation
of how vitality essential to the very
existence of life ID a growing and
prosperous agriculture.
2. That we shall recognize the
right Oh the grange to champion
rural interests, anywhere and AT any
time, In state or national councils,
and shall earnestly accept our dis
kinct duty to 30 champion those in
terests; afrording the leadership fin
constructive lines that the exigencies
OF the times continually demand, re-
lying upon the constant support Of
every subordinate and Pomona
Grange to sustain and advance that
leadership.
3. That we shall recognize the
supreme need OF rural affairs today
~ a federation Oh rural town forces,
for it's own elevation and improve
ment; the power or church and
school and home and grange; and
the enlistment Of all rural capaci-
ties, individual and collective, i'm one
broad, energetic, cooperative pur-
pose for the betterment Of all things
lin that particular locality And
that the grange shall supply leader
ship where leadership H. lacking; or
with equal cheerfulness shall Turn
ish support for other leadership
when support is the greater need.
Al That we shall recognize that
the improvement of the rural com
munfty, the farmer and the farm,
must come from within rather than
from without; and that to develop
latent or unused capacities IL far
better than to import them. To this
respect the grange strikes the very
keynote of the rural problem, in try
Ing To do with the rural people rath-
o. than doing for them-while illus
trations are furnished by the score
OF what rural communities can do
Tor themselves, BY themselves, when
once aroused to realization OF their
own capacities BY @ capable and e.
eect1ve leadership.
S. That we shall recognize that
the future OF the town, the state and
the nation depends upon it, young
people, and that to their best train
ing and development we may
well seriously address ourselves. Ev-
cry effort made for them, every cent
expended in their behalf, every
thought for their welfare, every plan
for their future golden investment
certain to yield dividends beyond
human estimate, the grange in this
respect alone possessing an oppor-
tunity Of unparalleled magnitude.
6. That we shall recognize that
tile only organizations that have
withetood the test of time are those
which have rendered to their locality
and generation a service larger than
that measured by purely personal
advantage to their own membership;
and behold herein the grange ave
nue. to permanence, through distinct
and definite community service, along
the practical lines SO much in eV1-
dence the past few years and which
must be further extended and inten-
Rif1ad WIN"