The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-03-22
Reports Of Officers
Of L'Anse Grange.
MASTERS ADDRESS.

congratulated on the possession of an
organization, like the Grange. While
the Grange movement is nearly half a
century old in the u. S.. it is less than
three years old in our community. We
made good beginning in point of num-
ber Of members, and have showed a
steady growth, till at the present time,
we have "a members in good standing.
We did not need to build hall, for we
wera e 'mittt d to use our present hall.
During the last year this has been dec
Grated and fitted up, and while not all
we could wish, it is sufficient for our
present needs.
The attendance is very small in pro-
portion to the large membership. This
is to be deplored, for it hurts the
Grange and does not reach the ones
most concerned.
i believe the lack of attendance is
not due to the members losing faith in
the principles of the Grange, nor be-
cause they do not need the Grange, nor
yet because the local Grange fails to
do Grange work. but rather because of
indifference, and that the members are
not alive to their opportunities and are
not fully aware of its great possibili-
ties.
The Grange is the oldest, strongest
and best equipped farmers organiza-
tion in this country. For nearly half
century, it has been a militant force
for the protection and betterment of
the farmer and his family, and for the
fostering and encouragement of the in
dustry of agriculture. The Grange is
broad enough in its purposes to meet
the needs of all the farmers. No. one
force has, in the past, done so much to
improve the condition of the farmer, as
has the Grange. In many communities
it has been and is the farmers social
center. 1t has been his school, and
practically his only method of making
his influence felt in an effective way
upon the matters of State and National
legislation.
The Grange is our organization. and
as sucn we must support and strength
en- it. It's plain that if we, as farm.
ers, do rot assert ourselves and look
after our own interests, they will not
be looked after.
The Grange is our opportunity for
efficient self protection. Is il not
greatly to our interest to make the
Grange stronger and better, and there
by improve our opportunity.
The Grange will always be honored
and respected for what it has done, but
it is for us to carry it onward and up
ward to greater honor.
we can make our Grange power in
this community by always being on the
side of right and truth, non-partisan,
but interested in public policies and
thru our lecture hour keep informed of
what is being done in the world. and
thru interchange Of thought and exper-
fences bring about many improvements.
The Grange today is the,greatest op-
portunity We have for self improve
ment, industrial betterment, commun-
ity betterment. and for a training in
leadership. 4,
But, remember. il we would win rec
ognition we must work. We must DO
and BE if we would exert an influence
for good.
To further the interests and promote
the growth of our Order we must gain
members, but word of caution; this
is farmers organization and while
we have many valued members who
are not farmers but interested in agri-
culture, in soliciting members it might
be well to try to get only those from
the farms.
Since all members have voice and
vote in Grange affairs, and our farmer
brothers do not attend as regularly as
those who live right in town, for OBJ
vious reasons, there is dagger OF
their shaping the policies OF the orange.
We can not dispense with any OF our
present members from citv or farm,
but it may be well at this tire to sound
this caution, that our meetings be not
merely literary society meetings. or So
cial meetings. For We are not banded
together for pleasure only.
To those officers and members who
assisted me in the performance of my
duties, wish to extend my thanks, and
take this means of letting them know
how much | appreciate the many kind
nesses shown me.
have tried always to serve you to
the best of my ability, whenever called
upon for any special work; and since
have been hvnored by being reelected,
it will be my pleasant duty to continue
to serve you faithfully and well during
the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH PICARD, Master.