The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15
VOLUME xlV-NUABER 8.

'OLUM Uv-NUBEk g.
that prompsitads which shall exhihita spirit
Of generous devotion 70 The publs veal.
l. With States. - with individuals, uuin-
tsrupssd prosperity b not 70 b srpscssd;
yes Il l. bslievsd that the retrospect Of tho
brisf history Of our State, asoeds nost grss.
flying svdence Of public prosperity, ssd
bolds out 10 tbs future cheering prospseb
ofcouing Advancement In al The sassetkl
slsnsos ola Rsat Commcnwalth. llm
With ths ipeFsass Of our population and
The prosres Of settlements. under the On.
couragemsnt Of . libsral policy sdopesd By
the Lsgislaturs. manufactures have sprung
up N the STATE, and have become sooocss-
ful and permanent branch Of tho busins Of
our people.
The enterprise Of our people, keeping pace
with tho general movements which have
prevailed throughout tho county for I'm.
Provemenh In tho means Of in,eroomnpni.
cation, has led 10 the construction Of lines
Of railway, which, while they a6brd iacili.
ties Tor the frequent intercourse Of our poo
pie, and serve to develope the natural re-
sources Of the State, and stimulate 70 in.
creased activity Its enterprise and industry,
have put US in direct and easy communion.
ton with the most remote parts Of the coun.
try, and afford also facilities for tho most az.
tended internal and external commerce Of
tile State by their extension into Canada,
and connection with the railways Of that
country.
Incited by the natural advantages Of our
extended sca coast, aaording safe and com.
modious harbon, our citizens have, with
character istic energy, engagedin commerce,
navigation and the fisheries. Maine fur
nishes annually moro Of the tonnage which
constitutes tho splendid aset Of the merchant
marine Of the nation, than any one Of her
sister Statos-is second to one only Of these
States In the amount other tonnage employ
ed in the coastwise trade, and 70 one only
in the extent Of her fisheries. While her
agriculture and mechanic interests have
greatly increased, and the moral, social and
Intellectual condition Of the people have re.
oeived corresponding attention.
Ii Is believed the natural capabilities OF
the State aro favorable to the highest I'D.
vancement In oil the elements ofa prosper.
Gus Commonwealth Its advantages for
commerce. through its extended sea coast,
opacious and safe harbos, arc unrivalled.
Its inexhaustible waterfalls afford q cheap
and constant power sufficient for oil the
needful machinery Of the nation. It's forests
afford lucrative employment for numerous
class Of her citizens, and furnish large item
for expectation, and will continue to be an
unfailing source Of wealth not easily over
estimated in It's importance to tho labor and
enterprise Of the State.
Il has also vast agricultural resources
If It's soil is not equal In fertility TO tho val.
Icy Of the Mississippi Il Is, in great part,
superior to most Of the New England States
in this respect, and 1t is believed that the
faithful husbandman has here never failed
Of his duo reward.
Upon an intelligent review Of its physical
position, capabilities and natural advantages,
there Is no reason for repining that It has
not blander skies and more fertile soil.
Its unrivallcd advantages for commerce
and na, ,igation, manufact res and mechan.
10 arts, moro than countsrbalancc any sup.
posed disparity in these respects. lin the
future the Sta'e loites In the rear Of her
sister States In that grand march Of progress
and advancement which the nation is mak.
ing to the highest achievement, physical and
moral. rest assured the fault is our own.
A State regarded rs permanent habita.
ton for man. and as theatre also for the
development Of his moral and intellectual
powers, is not to be determined wholly, or
in chief, by the fertility Of tho soil. Tho
advantages Of commerce, manufactures and
the mechanic arts are Of vast Importance to
the general prosperity and elevation Of q
people. These remarks are suggested BY the
apprehension ofs growing disposition among
our people, to undervalue their privileges
and sdvpntagcs and to abandon them for
what are regarded fairer prospects elsewhere.
Not to institute invidious comparisons b..
tween any portions Of oar widely extended
and greatly divers,ned country, the ssssr.
sion may be veUtured, that. amid the rush
and agitation OF slem ments, harmonious and
inharmonious, the infinite comminsling Of
alien and native and the countervaillng fore.
q under and BY which American society is
driven forward, particularly At those points
where the ceaseless tide Of foreign smiss.
ton dows. nowhere can . homo bs found
where the blessings Of health, comfort and
competence and privileges. social moral and
intellectual, abound moro than hsrs.-
Above oil, our people should cherish sen.
timeut for "Nsw England homes" based up
on an intelligent appreciation Of the privi.
leges and peculiaritis In which ws diSsr, S
vol a. the great privileges Of citizenship
possessd In common with the nation.