The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-03-12

the welfare of the farming communit,
socially, intellectually and economi
cally That il does this in an. emf
nent degree results have amply demon
strated.
Its declared purposes are of the mos
worthy and benefcent character an(
show its founders to have been meI
of exceptional wisdom and discretion
No organization can be of benefit tC
the community unless it is based upor
correct economic principles. AS di
rect corollary of the elementary truth
nothing can be morally right that has
not a sound economic basis. The prin
ciples underlying the Grange are in
complete harmony with every canon
of economic law. The breadth and
scope of those principles attest the
fact that agriculture is a basic indus
try, in fact, the one vital and indis
pensable industry in existence to-day
The first tiller of the soil received his
himself and by sort of Apostolic sue.
cussion, the authority has been trans.
mitted through the centuries.
We were founded as nation OF far
mers and in spite of the great growth
of our industrial life ii still remains
true that our while system rests upon
the farm; that the welfare of the
whole community depends upon the
welfare of the farmer. AS logical
sequence the strengthening of coun-
try life is the strengthening of the en-
tire nation.
To illustrate the magnitude and i'm
portance of agriculture We have H.
100000 farmers in the United States
to-day. and they add each year to the
national wealth nearly eight and half
billion dollars.
Through the influence of the Grange
in banishing those conditions which
have hitherto made farm life in a
measure unattractive the flow of pop
ulation from the rural districts to the
great urban centers has been largely
checked and the vexed question of
Back to the farm" is in process OF
solution.
The Grange is of special value be-
cause II combines SO many worthy
functions in one organization. 1t might
consistently adopt the motto of the
United States, 'E Pluribus Unum"
The Grange is of special value be-
cause ii gathers up the scattered units
and YIELDS them into an organization,
compact, efficient and aggressive for
the accomplishment of its benificsnt
purposes. Before the Grange came
into existence. the farmer received
scant attention from the fact that
there was no concert of action, no
unity of purpose. Weakness invites
neglect and spoliation; strength, con-
sideration.
The Grange provides an organized
and authoritative channel through
which the farmer may make his wants
known to our law making bodies and
press courteously but insistently for
such legislation as he deems promo
tive of his welfare. Moreover, the
Grange is helping to prepare the far
mer for the responsible task OF law
making in our state and national legis-
latures. He has hitherto had meagre
in our State or Ma
tional legislatures largely because he
was poorly equipped for the work.
Possessing this equipment, can you
think of one legitimate reason why
he should have to depend very largely
G.
upon those who because of their oc-
cupation or profession have a meagre
knowledge of and scant sympathy
with the peculiar needs of the farmer
Now that the farmer has learned BY
a concrete example the power and
utility of organization it has become
and will remain a potential factor by
which he may defend his interests and
achieve such objects as he may deem
in harmony with his welfare. social
and economic
The Grange is force that must be
reckoned with and as a direct conse-
quence much legislation has been in
in the organic law of the
land of great benefit to agriculture.
To name only two or three that the
Grange, either wholly or in part has
been instrumental in having written
into our statutes are the parcels post,
rural free delivery and Hatch law, etc.
A law pending at the present time
that will be highly promotive of the
farmers welfare is the rural credits
and farm land banks bill. If this law
is placed on the statute books, as il
doubtless will be in the not remote
future. II will give tremendous impe-
tus to the farming industry The
avowed objects of the bill are: first, to
complete the purchase of farm: sec
ond to improve and equip the farm;
and. third. to pay off a mortgage on
the farm. the loans to be made for 35
years al low rate of interest.
Never before in the history of the
country has the farming element re-
ceiyed so much consideration, and
this is true for reasons that must be
obvious to any intelligent man. Having
this ample power to secure needed
legislation we should use il with wis
dom and moderation. The Grange is
Of special value to the community and
nation because it furnishes the oppor-
tunity for liberal education right at
home.
Moreover it has this added advan-
tage, that the knowledge obtained may
be put into practical application from
day to day. The Grange is a sort OF
social and intellectual clearing house
for the exchange of opinions and the
of vital issues.
The social and intellectual attrition
brightens and develops. II likewise
teaches the farmer TO think and by