The Republican journal., 1870-12-29
name Of the First Parish i, properly retained b,
the Unitarians.

name of the First Parish is properly retained by
the Unitarians.
EVENTS DURING THE LAST HALF CENTURY.
In 1878, Belfast was made the port of entry for
COLLECTION district, extending from Bangor to Cam
den. In 1920 the first newspaper, called the Han
cock Gazette and Penobscot Patriot, was published
The population was then 2026.
Within the brief space of address. it is impos-
slble to detail the events Of the last half century.
Its history for that period; its prosperity from
1920 to 1925, when its population increased over
eight hundred; the commencement of steam navi-
cation during the latter year; the establishment OF
Waldo County in 1927; the division Of the town in
1896 the opening of the telegraph in 1915; the adj
option of the city charter in 1855; the introduction
of gas in 1885, the great fire of 1865; our progress
in schools, streets, bridges and sidewalks these.
and many other kindred and interesting subjects,
must be reserved for some future cleaner.
BELFAST IN THE REBELLION
But while recounting the deeds of our fathers
and remembering their labors and sacrifices, we
should not be unmindfl of the sons who so recent
~ sealed in their best blood our countrys redemp-
ton: The purposes OF this occasion would indeed
be but partly answered, if we omitted to pay at
least passing tribute to their memory. Out Of the
eight hundred and tifty-three men with whom Bel
fast is credited during the four years of the rebel
liOn one hundred and fourteen were either killed
died from wounds, from disease, or worse than ali
persisted IN Rebel prisons. Forty enriched the bat
tie field with their life blood seven were sacrificed
at Andersonvie and Belle Isle. Disease made
and the fate of one is unknown. Let the names of
Marshall, Allyn, Dickerson, Scott and others.
whose ashes find repose in their native home, as
well as OF those whose bones are buried far away,
or still lie whitening on distant fields be held in
cherished recollection. Proudly we should re-
member them, for they shed a lustre on the city
which they loved to call their home! Proudly
should we claim them rs our fellow citizens, for
they died In our common cause! May their mem
cries be embalmed in our hearts, and transmitted
to all future generations! And when future cen
ennlal celebrations of our settlement take place,
may the story and significance of their death act as
incentives to patriotism, and be held up rs unfad-
ing examples of whatever is sclf-sacrcing and
coul ageous.
CONCLUSION.
Having thus imperfcctly traced the early history
of our city, and noted some Of its first fluctuating
fortunes, as well as the continued progress which
has since succeeded them, we must pause at the
threshold of new era, in which we hope is to be
worked out so many advantages. The opening of
our railroad, cotemporaneously with this occasion
Is indeed fellcltous coincidence But the tide of
imp oyement which is swelling in every direction,
admonishes us that our enterprise must not termi-
nate here While our sister cities are adopting
only with the far west, but with the extreme
north and east, what will be our relative position
If we content ourselves with only the work that
has been already accomplished: We cannot eX-
pect to retain our people, or to compete with the
more cnterprsing parts of State, if we neglect
the use of those natural advantages which others
are so ndustriously applying; Still more, to en-
nance that superiority of location which nature
has conferred upon us. We should arouse to a
proper conception of our condition. and not per-
init those opportunities which waiting for us to
be dsregarded We must catch the spirit of the
age. We must not be satisfied simply with road
extending no farther than the limits of our own
county. We must ampfy and broaden the idea of
an interior. The interior of Belfast must no Ion
ger be Durham, Newport, or Dexter. We must
penetrate the boundless forests of our northern
frontier. In few years, by the powerful aid of
the railroad, the undeveloped portion of Maine
will blossom like the rose" and there will soon
be fields of golden grain extending to the NADIA
Waska. Let us be true to the natural resources ut
our command; let us determine to exert that en-
ergy which the men from Londonderry manifest
ed II hundred years ago, in laying the foundations
OF our beautiful city,-and a prospect opens, so
grand, that even imagination hestate> to de
scribe it.