The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-22
LETTER FROM REV. AMOS GERRY
BEMAN.
YOUNG PHYsIc
NUMBER VII.
PORTLAND, Ne, Oct.

Mr.. EDIroR:-It has been said that
'some men are born great" and that others
have greatness thrust upon them. Some
places on this globe are great, and have
been since the fiat of the Almighty called
them into existence, and they will be until
Omnipotencc shall bid them depart like
the baseless vision Of dream;" but other
spots and places are great in human histo-
~ bv association in the human mind with
those acts which have taken place there.
To say nothing Of what Portland is, Of the
points of interest in and around it from its
first settlement until the present time, it is
soon to be "the observed of all observers"
from its association with the Great Eastern,
whose arrival draws near.
"The note Of preparation has been sound
ed" and much time and money has been
expended to "make ready" for her arrival.
A magnificent wharf with large area en-
closed, so that all who go on board of the
steamer, may do SO with comfort and safe
ty. Every arrangement is made so that if
she approaches the land in the day time,
she may be signaled some twenty five
miles from the city, when cannon are to be
fired, the bells rung, flags stream forth,
that all the inhabitants may gather on Mum
joy hill and look over Casco bay, and be-
hold her come in magnifcently to her
wharf What a sight if she brings the
number the papers declare that she is able
to bring-S0O first class passengers, 1000
second class, 5000 third class, with 400
persons for a crew, from the captain down
to the abin-boy-many hearts will swell
with triumph But, alas one hear. so
deeply interested, one mind whose brain
held all its mighty parts in its conception,
will not be here to enjoy the display of
that proud hour. The papers inform us
that Mr. Brunei, its chief engineer, has
been stricken down upon her deck, even as
she was making her successful experiment,
with paralysis, carried to his home, where
he died in few hours Instead of the
laurel-the cypress.
What shall be the effect upon the world
of this visit of the Great Eastern to Port
landi Hundreds Of intelligent minds will
come to this city and to this country, they
will examine our common school system,
look into the public schools-and Portland
may well be proud Of them they are of
the most excellent character, all free and
well attended. No matter what color, or
cline, or condition, whoever will may par
take Of the waters Of knowledge freely
The world knows the name of Hon
Neal Dow, and that his name is identified
with the "Maine Law" as it is termed, a
law designed to suppress the vile habit of
rum drinking. With what scrutinizing
gaze will many friends and foes look around
this city to see the effect of the law here,
and thus hope or fear for the future wei
fare of millions of the human race, for in
the principles embodied in this law the
veal or woe Of millions are involved.
How keenly will multitudes examine the
question of liberty, Of freedom. Just now
the papers are beginning to discuss the
principles of the Republican party. Do
its principles embrace the interests Of the
coored mani Are they, as party, OPP
posed to slavery' Or is it party for the
white man, party for thespoilsY Strange
as it may appear, the party has never vot-
ed to confer on any colored man even a
constable's office, or to make one colored
man night police, although these offices
are filed in many instances with the small
est specimens Of mental calibre, and as for
moral character, one would suppose, like
the Irishman who wanted license to sell
rum, on being questioned as to his moral
character, said that he did not know that it
needed any character to be rum seller.
What hope for the slave, what hope for the
free there is in the Republican party, as a
party, is more than we can see. But what
ever may be its doings, or its short-com-
lngs, one thing is certain, there rests upon
The colOred people-where SO many priv
leges are enjoyed, where through the un-
wearied toll Of their friends SO many of
'neE rights have been secured-ad deep and