The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-13
GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of the Senate


and of the House Of Representatives.:
Assembled as the legislative power Of the
State, l recognize tho usage which assigns to
me the duty, in this first hour of our Official
relations. to give you information OF the con-
dition of the State, and to make such recon-
mendations for your consideration as may be
deemed expedient; in doing which IL is grati-
fying to be able to give you assurance, of its
general advancement, under the favors OF Di-
vine Providence, in its varied industrial and
social interests.
1t is the first duty Of people rightly to
value the character and capacity OF the coun-
try they inhabit. While their interests will
suggest the folly Of an exaggerated estimate
OF il in these respects, a want Of just appre-
citation of its resources and natural advanta-
ges is equally unwise. A glance at the geo.
graphical position Of the State, its physical
structure and natural resources, will not fail
to inspire confidence in its capacity for future
rank in the sisterhood Of prosperous States !;
and yet il Il undoubtedly true that It has
suffered much, of late, from general and
vague apprehension that IL was making, COM
paratively, but slow advances in population
and wealth; and that other quarters Of our
nlkUly ldNOIeu COuuuy HViu ous 'bSa "
wards for effort and enterprise. II may be
we'll now, at the close Of another decade OF
years. with provident and solicitous care Tor
the future, TO take note Of its progress and
present condition. 1t is, without doubt, true
tha, its progress in the last ten years. increase
in population being the test, has not been as
rapid as in similar periods for the first thirty
years of the separation from the 'mother State.
During the former period its advance in pop
ulation was equal to that Of the country at
large and far beyond the other New England
States. EmiSrants from these latter States
were drawn hither by our unequaled water
power. the quality and cheapness Of the soil,
valuable timber lands, advantages for naviga-
ton, &c. This period in our history is char
acterized for progress in population, advance
in agriculture, the lumber trade and the fish
cries. TRe latter period, by comparative de-
crease in population, with larger increase In
commerce, navigation, manufacturing and
mechanic arts and in works of internal inn
lrovemtnt.
The ratio Of deccnnial increase Of popula-
ton was, from 1920 TO 1880 thirty-three per
cent, from 1880 TO 1910 twenty.six per cen''
from 1910 10 1850 sixteen per cent and rom
1850 to 1860 will probably be found TO DC
about the same as for the latter period. now
we are not to suppose that we have ioiied 20
maintain our early progress in population be-
cause the original causes OF that progress are
not now equally attractive as heretofore; but
because local causes have supervened 70 Keep
people from other States at home and' 10
some ext.nt. cause emigration from among
us-pot that the advantages afforded are real.
iv less. or supposed to be less. but that real
or supposed attractions elsewhere have been
stronger. Emigration has been cut oil from
the hitherto tributary States by policy which
has given their people immediate and active
smployment a, home and reacting upon our
nonuls,ion. together with the extraordinary
aIlprements In California and "the wes','
have enticed portion Of our natural increase
abroad.
the progress Of population. during this latter
period. does not furnish jist estimate oxs
which TO determine the advance OF the state
in wealth and the Industrial interests.
comparative glance at the aggregate vaina'
ton and productive industry Of the state