The Portland daily press., 1865-09-26
EUROPEAN 4 n. a. RA1LwAY.

sbaias am sorry, Mr. Editor, to your hostility
to this project. ~ However incredulous any
s. one may be of the success of the enterprise
or distrustful of the machinery which is put
g o1 ting il in motion, he cannot doubt OF the inn
portance Of the enterprise to the commercial
and industrial interests of Maine. Those of
as who remember the persistent opposition and
the sneering sarcasms which awaited the
early movement, of the Atlantic & st Lawrence
Railroad Co., will learn how to appreciate a
'aae similar reception which the European G. N,
A. Railway Co. is now receiving The latter
enterprise is a corollary of the former; if one.
has triumphantly opened the North and West
to the shores Of Maine, we trust to live to see
E the day when the rich and beautiful country
Of eastern Maine and of the Provinces of New
vs. Brunswick and Nova Scotia, win be invited by
sa. easy, and rapid INSTRUMENTATION to find
profitable markets along the line of our coast
land through the interior Of our State. i
1t is mistake to discourage or throw OBJ
structions in the way of any public improve
ment. If cnterprising choose to under
take them, we may stand aside if we do not
approve; but ought not to oppose it is mgen-
erous, ungracious to do so. Such men are al
ways in advance Of their time; hardly any
great public Improvement, in this country,
where all such enterprises are originated by
private means, have been profitable to their
protector while the public have reapeli inn
nnense benefits from them. 1t is blessing to
community to have in it men who can look
into the future, who can anticipate grand re-
suits from their capital and labor, and be pa
tent to await them. We must remember that
DIR. Lardner, the most scientific man of his
iA 3 time, little more than twenty-five years ago.
declared that twas impossible to navigate the
Atlantic Ocean by steam. and demonstrated it
a1 on paper He is living to witness the refuta-
ton of his theory.
So warmly was the first suggestion If tb;s
great international line received. that a NH.
~ lie meeting held in Portland in 1sDo was
unanimous and enthusiastic in commendno
it to the people of Maine and the Provinces
The meeting was called to order by Chief Jus.
tice Whitman, and was attended by the ven
cradle Admiral Owen of New Brunswick, Jo
0 Is se2h Howe of Halifax, and numerous othe
prominent and distinguished men both 0
Maine and the Provinces the result of which
was, the Incorporation of the E. & N. A. Rail
way in 1850, and of another under the same
name in New Brunswick in March 1851. Both
charters were very liberal, and are existing t
kt Inns Gay; and in the Provinces, roads have al
ready been opened for considerable distance.
70 become apart of the main line when com
pleted. A very thorough and extensive sur
- - Vey OF the line in Maine was made bv A. q
Morton, Civil Engineer, whose verv full and
~ able report accompanied by Illustrative Is.
bles and plan of the route was published n
pamphlet of 96 pages in 1851, and win "a :,
9ne' pay careful perusal. lN ~
To forward the undertaking in Maine .
very large and respectable convention WA
held in Portland, October, 1852, called by Han.
nibal Hamlin, A. W. 81. Clapp, Josiah S. Lit
tie, c. @. Clapp, John A. Poor, /. Washburn
Jr., Rue Williaml, P. Barnes, and Others t.
promote the construction of the E. q N. A
Railway, and 'to consider what measure
should be adopted to bring our railway inter
ests into harmony. Governor Hubbard Wa
called 70 preside at the meeting, and Mr., WI