Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-02-06
~ Original Correspondence.
CURsORY ExCOGITATIONS DOWE
ALONG.
n U III n L r o NE.

| U M u u IN
Mr.. CLARKE IL am not vain enough to be-
lieye that any excogitations' of mine can possess
much real interest or utility to your readers for
whatever may say, will, perhaps, have the stale
ness of a s'thrico-told tale.'' No one, however,
can travel without making observations of some
kind and those observations, whatever they be.
will be interesting and useful so far and so lar only,
as they may tend to confirm the same observations
made by Others or to develo pc the causes OF sue
cess or failure in some of the great branches of trade,
science, or the arts. In country like ours where
the facilities of communication between one part and
another are so easy, rapid and multiplied; where
the means of obtaining and dffasing intelligence are
so direct and various, it is hardly possible, for an
ordinary observer, to think, imagine, or say aught
on the great practical questions Of life, that is not
already as familiar to your readers as "household
WORDS" or as any fac, in the history Of their own
experience. Commerce, agriculture, the mechan-
&c arts, education, morality and religion are each
and all, sngly and combined, exerting widely ex-
tended influence in forming the character and shap-
ing the desiinies Of your people, and developing the
inexhaustble resources Of your already great and
rapidly increasing population. Maine 'oiH rise !;
She will tower in her strength and take an enviabe
stand among her sister States. Her Destiny Is not
doubtful-not problematical it 10 stamped with
unerring certainty. Her resources are within herself
almost boundsss forests, her extended lakes,
her large and beautiful rivers, her unpeopled and
widely extended domain, her sea-girt coast, her
mines Of wealth, her commerce, her agriculture,
her hardy aud intelligent yeomanry, and The meas
ures taken to secure to the rising the blessings
of education, morality and religion, all, ALL point,
with prophetic certainty, to her rising greatness and
glory. 1t is not from disposition to Panegyr'ze'
that make these remarks, but from a sober con-
vction founded on observation, that Maine, howev-
err bankrupt may be her present condition, IS ''ch'
rich in every thing calculated to give energy to her
citizens, success to her undertakings and real pros
perty in the future.
1t has been said that it may be regarded as
pretty sure index Of the mann er in which writer
has been received in q community, by the srain Of
panergyric, satire, on condemnation IN which he
ndulges This may not always be true. Al any
rate it has its influence. Much, doubtless, will de-
pend, phrenologicaIly speaking, upen the erans0lo-
sical developments OF the writer. Examples are
not wanting where individuals who have been the
most kindly received and respectfully treated, have
made the most ungrateful returns. They have a
bused the confidence roposed in them by severely
criticsing, condemnng. and holding up to the r'dl-
cule of gaping world, the domestic habits, employ
ments, conversation and the like, OF those who
have admitted them to their homes and surrounded
them with the delights of intelligent social exis-
tence According to much Of the absurd, sp e.
netc and nonsensca philosophy OF the present day.
not to crtcise, sarise and condemn il to be "hat'
stale and improbable" manifestation oil de-
fective judgment, want of taste, and dehclencs
Of critical acumeu. Intelligent criticisms may be,
occasionally, judicious and useful satire and
abuse never can be. While the former command
attention and respect, the latter only irrtate and
provoke. and invoke upon the head of the author
public scorn and reprobation. 1t is scriptural in
junction binding upon all to "render unto Cesar
the things that are C@sar's." "Honor to whom
honor and tribute to whom tribute" | shall en-
deavor, in subsequent numbers, to adhere strictly
to this wise injunction. shall speak Of such topics
as are Of general interest," and make such structures
on things in general and on matters in particular as
may tend to emil ghten the public mind. and to OK
cite to the adoption Of some suitable measures to
| restrain and abolish them.
Permit me to say, in conclusion, that my visit to
Maine has been highly gratifying and useful. Graf
ifyine because Of the revival of old and the FORMS
ton of new and highly intelligent acquaintances /;
because of the cordial reception which l have
every where experienced and the hearty good will
and affec.iona,e cooperation of many estimabIe
gentlemen in the object Of my visit useful, because
of the correction of old and erroneous impressions
on many important points. and because Of the new
and superior light on many topics Of general inter-
est, afforded ny extensive intercourse with intel-
gent and thinking minds. My Lectures were every
where well received. judging from numerous testi-
rnonials have received, and the number and in
teiligence of my audiences. To all who have
aided me in any respect cheerfuly tender my pub
lie Acknowledgements and my warmest thanks.
Their friendship will be held in long remembrance.
Farewell. Yours Trsfy,
| rr rt p.
Boston, Jan. 81, 1870 t-. ....
I The Militia Of the United State, accord