The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-11
be increased than diminished for quarter of a

The soil Of Maine Is not upon an average so
fertile as that Of most OF the Western States,
but good proportion Of 1t is arabic. and nearly
all, in natural adoption, arabic, or grazing.
Under the auspices OF good husbandry It yields
better returns, in net exchalgeable values, than
the fat acres Of the West-for the Maine far
mer lives in the eye OF commerce, and where
the best marekts are at his door. In no part Of
the country do the wheat haryests display lar
ger crops-more bushels to the acre-than the
fields Of the Aroostook valley. Undoubtedly
the cost Of dressing. planting and gathering Is
greater in Maine than in Illinois, but the clear
profit Of the crop, is, think. greater also. And
| | am confident that no acre s0wn with wheat in
any Western State, shows so liberal 4 margin Of
profit, as with a like investment Of labor and
capital, is realized by the potato grower in most
of the counties in this State.
To enlarge our commerce, to place the great
business Of shipbuilding on surer and stronger
footing, to extend the empoyments Of our car
rier to increase the number and enehance the
profits Of our hardy fishermen, to sttract the in.
yestment of capital in the manifold varieties Of
manufactures for which the State Is pre.eminent-
ly adapted, to work the iron mines Of Katahda,
| and upon those Of Aroostook, to enable Brown
Vile and the neighboring towns to supply the
markets of America with slate, to systematize
the operations and diversity the employments
Of those engaged in the lumber trade, and, by
| all these, to give new indictments and ampler re-
compense to those who till the soil, by creating
and increased demand and nearer markets for
the fruits Of their industry-are among the OBJ
jects which the people OF the State will expect
those who have been invested with legislative
functions, will to the best Of their ability, en-
deayor to promote.
But Of all the employments Of industry In our
midst, that Of the farmer is unquestionably first
| in rank and Importance. Agriculture is the
foundation Of all material wealth and strength
its achievements are the measure Of the external
improvements and progress OF people. What
ever measures, therefore, within the scope OF
proper and just legislation, will tend to the adj
vancement Of an interest so great and so univer-
sal whatever policy will bring to its service the
| contributions Of science, and the generalizatons
of intelligent observation, will receive from you
that degree Of attention which their great impor-
tanee demands. am happy to believe that the
farmers Of Maine are taking higher interest
than formerly in the business which forms the
chief pursuit OF their lives. Ceasing to regard
their occupation as one Of mere drudgery and
toll they are entertaining juster views Of its ma
tuTe, aud of its relations to other departments
of human interest and endeavor. In the study
of its methods, the investigation OF its laws, the
working-out Of its experiments, and In the in
creased measure Of remuneration achieved there
by, agriculture becomes the useful, the hOnora-
able, and the beautiful calling which God has
provided for the most favored OF his children.
The farmers of our State who have always
contributed with cheerfulness In aid Of other in
tercsts and ayocations. will expect Of the Legis-
lature some practical recognition Of their claim
TO the fostering care and judcious encourage
ment which State may properly extend to those
who do so much to make 1t strong and great and
happy. They will come before you, as am ad-
yised. soliciting an appropriation for scientific
survey Of the State, believing "that such a sur
yey embracing its Geology, Agriculture, Natural
History aud Physical Geography, ably conduct
ed and faithfully reported, would greatly tend to
develOpe and improve its agriculture, determine
its mineral wealth, increase its mechanical and
manufacturing interests, and assist in supplying
our educational wants. And moreover, tharit
would attract population, capital and enterprise
from abroad" COneurring in these views, l
have no hesitation in commencing the subject TO
your consideration, expressing at the same time
my firm belief that you can in no way render
better service to the State aud all interests, than
by making adequate provision by law for carry
ing into effect the wishes Of this numerous body
of our citizens.
In the northeasterly section Of the State Is a
tract Of country embracing an area Of not less
than one hundred townships, surprising in ca
pacity for agricultural development and produc-
tion any territory Of equal extent in New Eng
land, and which with the encouragement ofa
wise and liberal policy would become, in the not
distant future, the seat Of population not in.
feIior in numbers, nor dssmilar in character, to
that of the State Of Vermont ut the present
time. The means for accomplishing an end so
much 20 be desired are obvious and available.
What is demanded is not change Of climate,
for there is no better climate on the continent,
all things considered, than that Of the Aroostook
none more conducive to health and strength,
to intellectual and physical yigor. II the season
Is short, IL is happily adapted to the profitable
cultivation of many valuable crops, some OF
them among the most important produced IN
the country, to whose generally unfailing sue
cess the long winter with its deep continuous
SHOWS by protecting the earth from the severe
frosts common in the more southery New Eng
land attitudes, essentially contributes. A better
soil is not wanted, for by far the larger portion
of this Is not inferior TO that Of Western New
York and Michigan-nor In the prime necessi-
ties of wood and water is this region deficient,
as its magnificent forests and innumerable springs
and streams attest. But what is wantedis Ao-
CESS, cheap, speedy, easy communication with
the marts OF trade and commerce In the country
below. With such facilities for the transit Of
persons and commodities as no free State east OF
the Mississippi River has failed TO provide for
any district Of equal extent and resources, what
is known as the Aroostook country would, long
before the close Of the present century, be as
densely settled as In the county Of Kennebec
at this day. Certainly. to promote the develop
object worthy Of the statesmanship OF the rep
resentatiyes Of great commonwealth. 1t Is not
for me to direct, or perhaps advise, in regard TO
the particular manner, or the specific means, by
which this indispensable service may be best ac-
complished. But l should be false TO NY sense
of duty, and fail in the love which have ever
borne TO my native State, and in the hopes
which have never ceased to cherish Of her
great future, IL 1 hesitated to commend this sub
iect in all its aspects and bearings to your most
earnest and thoughtful regard. by the Consti-
tuition you are forbidden to make use Of the cred
IL Of the State for the promotion OF works OF inn
proyement TO any considerable extent; and l am
not prepared at this time TO recommend any
change OF that instrument In this regard. But
without such change the Legislature may do
some,hing-indeed, II may do much-for the en-
couragement Of such works. To the extent Of Its
constitutional power II may grant direct or in
direct aid The unsold lands, the securities In the
public offices, the legal and equitable claims OF
the State against the general Government grow
ing out Of the war OF 1872, OF the Northeastern
boundary controversy, and out Of other transac-
tions IL some Of them certain TO be allowed and
paid to the very considerable amount for which
that Government, by the principles II has re-
cognized and acted upon in many instances, Is
fully committed, and others in the end hope
not less certain, upon the able and faithful pre-
sentiment and advocacy which know our Sena-
tors and Representative at Washington are
prepared TO make)-may be appropriated, in
whole OF in part, to be holden in trust for their
prosecution and completion. In this way such
recognition Of the value and Importance OF these
enterprises might be made, as, by assuring the
public confidence in their importance, would. In
connection with the direct aid TO which have
adyerted, 90 far towards placing them In the
way Of early and certain consummation. While
the Aroostook section, as containing the largest
| nortion nv far of the good settling lands owned