Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-11-16
THE GRANGE.


| (By j. NJ. Hutchins, North Penobscot.)
The grange has history as the
largest and most powerful farmers
organization that has developed
since this nation, began
The many beneficent measures it
conceived, agitatee and, through its
forceful influence, had enacted into
laws for the benefit of rural popu-
lations, afford ample proof of it's
power as non-political organiza-
ton.
Bound by no party, it's course is
free and independent, and, repre-
senting the most important underly-
ing industry of the nations, it's de-
mandS have always been appealing
and excited first consideration.
Agriculture has the sympathy and
| protection of all classes, as all classes
are dependent on it.
The farmers, as class, are
among the most moral, sensible,
steady, dependable of all our citi-
zens. There are few mobs, no
strikes, no aristocracy, no autoc-
racy, no monopolies, but all stand
on common level of citizenship
and social equality, each a sovereign
on his own soil, and yet recognizing
his human relationships with all
other classes. His occupation was
the first to exist and will be the last
to survive. He is stakeholder in
the globe itself, from surface to
center of gravity. He has the great
est gymnasium and the most health
giving hospital in the world, super
intended by the best-equipped physi-
clan in the universe.
The grange is peculiarly a farm
ers' organization, and none but
farmers are eligible to membership,
though ministers of the gospel have
always been conceded the right of
way and heartily welcomed. No
atheist can honestly enter it's fold.
Its ritual service is imbued with
high moral aspirations and love for
soil, the bed of all vegetable forces
1t takes in youth in the early morn
ing of manhood and womanhood at
the most formative and critical
period of human life, when roseate
dreams fill the mind and kindle the
passions, and ardent youth needs
the modifying influence of maturer
years. Here is where the older
members should feel and assume
their part in the moulding of the
character and practical education of
the younger element of the grange.
Point out the dangers before them,
stimulate all that is good and noble
IN them, strive to cultivate honesty,
sincerity, courtesy, a deeper sense of
honor and self-respect.
This appears to be prominently
an age Of physical development, of
amusements that appeal in most al
Turing forms to the physical side of
life. Man, as a higher order of ami
mails, skillful beast, seems to be
developing rapidly, but as an in
tellectual and spiritual being, seems
to be gradually and unconsciously
losing his standing.
The movies could be a mighty
power to help mould the characters
and broaden the minds of youth by
most attractive and fascinating illus
trations, humorous and interesting
But are they doing this, or are they
mainly devoted to the development
OF novels that have already exerted
their fascinating power over young
lives and sent hundreds OF them to
ruin? Have you ever seen a movie
yet that represented happy home
or gave stimulus to honest in
dustry? Occasionally, perhaps, but
rarely.
Dances have wonderfully in
creased since the war. 1t may be in
part an expression of the pleasure
we feel liberated from the horrors
and anxieties of war. Properly in
dulged in, they may create innocent
light-hearted pleasure, and serve a.
tonic to humdrum life, render the
young more supple and graceful ant
social, or they may have a tendency
to destroy that delicate sense of re
finement which is the foundation O.
respect for sex.
Let grangers, one and all, ge
down to real work, make the grang,
more attractive and interesting
Lively discussions of local or public
questions, stories, dramas, essays
mlsic, recitatiOns, educational ex.
ercises, incidents from experiences
lessons from human lives, historical
events of Importance. Strive t,
bring out the talent Of all in pro
grams intermixed with humor, logic
eloquence and memory exercises
food for mind and heart, healthfu