The Portland daily press., 1868-01-03

wego, Ogdensburg and Vermont, should slim
ulate a re. pOnsive ZEAL
No student of physical geography can fail to
see that there is not a port east OF New 1ork
which commands SO many advantages, as an
outlet for Western trade and travel, as Port
land. With this road she will vindicate to her
self higher claim than that which has been so
sneerngly retorted upon her: she viii prove
herself to be the natural seaport OF more tnan
all the Canndas. L am not aware that the
friends of this road ask us for pecunlary aud /;
but no one can doubt that its success VIII be
largely conducive to the growth ana prosperl-
ty, not of Portland only, but OF the wnoie
State. The great railroad systems OF this
State are of too much public Importance to be
left entirely to the bonds of private parties
The great body OF the people have direct and
pLactical concern in them, which should mar
monte all interests and energies. The cross
purposes of sections and guages should not be
permitted to stsnd in the way OF the pu0!ic
good. All should unite to set in motion the
powers which will work out the welfare and
glory of the State.
We are not to forget the inevitable attrac-
ton which will bring into line with these
great thorOughfares the North Facinc hall-
road: and when the eye takes in at one glance
the connection and continuity OF these large
designs, from the most eastern point OF the
Atlantic coast to the shores OF the Pacific
checked by neither rivers, lakes nor noun
taips nor knowing boundaries of State or
the mind gathers up at once the mighty in
terests involved when the reciprocities OF
trade shall flow and refOw across the utmost
breadth of the continent and discerns the
signs of our own awakening and the promise
of the nations unity. 2yg- +"H1=
mi. NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
If we go forward with manliness, we need
not despair at our present burdens. They are
heavy but can be borne and overcome. While
the country was plunged in war, and dangers
9TH n.r.Ia oh
sorbed in the conflict Devotion to the safety
of the country made us insensible to the
pains and burdens we were then bearing
and ready to pledge ourselves to suffer in the
future. -ga H5 ~ tH. 81
Now that the flowing tides of enthusiasm
have ebbed we see the naked grounds of ouI
strength. The war cost men and it cost mon
ey. 1t is no strange thing that we are in debt
We toresaw this, and still went forth to meet
it boldly and thoughtfuly. Debt and death
alike we knew we must encounter. The drain
upon us has indeed been terrible. But shall
we now, Tor the first time, be towards? Hay
ing counted the cost and dared the enterprise
shall we now look back with murmers at oul
fidelity and success, and give ourselves over te
fret at our wounds and bereayementS, and in
conveniences and debts? The people of this
State have answered that question, and will
answer it again. What we ask is honesty or
the part of those who fix the issues of thi;
dear bought victory, and reconstruct the ma
ton. Honesty in securing the political guar
antees demanded by the overthrow of the re-
bellion, honesty in taxing, in collecting, in ex
pending. Honesty in paying, honesty in being
paid. Extravaganza and corruption must bt
rebuked. There must be an industrial and fl
nancial as well as political reconstruction
These things will require wisdom and ability
rightly to determine and adjust. The tetter
must be struck Oft from enterprise and the in
cubus lifted IRON industry. The property o
the country must be made to contribute in al
| equitable proportion towards bearing the pub
| lie burden. The Government bonds must b,
SO taxed, if at all, as to relieve States ant
| towns rather than the National Treasury. I
we are to bear these burdens, let us have
chance to stand. Lei us have neither priv
| legged persons nor privileged property, but
Republic and a Democracy in which maj
| shall count for man and dollar for dollar
| Nor am of those who think that we SHOULD
| pay Oft this whole great debt in one day. Thos'
who thus hold must come cheaply by the
! opinions. We shall do our part, take it, i
after having borne the brunt of the fray, we al
low those who are to reap the benefit of thu
struggle to come as near as possible to taking
a share in the investment. Anticipate moth
ing, repudiate nothing, sophisticate nothing
but fairly and maniully meet every obligation
as it comes, trusting that as the day is SO shall
our strength be. .f I2 ~ F la
The State may we'll be proud that her Sena
tors and Representatives in Congress have no
been turned aside by the caprices of preju
dice or partisanship, but have been among tn,
foremost to seek ways OF relief from the coun
try's .distresses, and means of her restoration
and prosperity. On the main issue we yielt
not an inch. Though the shape Of the con
flct may change as new objects arise, yet the
great issue is still joined. Our watchwoId il
still, loyalty to country and justice to man
and if everything does not go to suit us, wha
then? Shall we who have stood together TO
the country's defence, and could not be sepa
rated by hostile batteries or public disasters
or personal suffering, how be driven asunde
by mere apparitions and false alarms? Shall
we lay down the broad ensign of the Republic
a thousand times more sacred for the preciou
blood that Teddens it, and take up, instead
any petty standard of side issue in State o
National policy, while the great questions OIL
which the hope of the country hangs ar
trembling in the scale? ~ no ns ana
81 all we not rather rally once more upol
our memories under the nations name ant
banner, and with malice toward none an,
charity to all y set ourselves to settle the gray
questions which still distract and disheartel
the land? - i2
With purposes like these, and for no un
worthy ends We commend ourselves to tn
Almighty Disposer of human events ant
earthly destinies, trusting that our labor
may be of service to the State, to the country
and to mank md. .a . ,. -.'
JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN.