The Portland daily press., 1870-02-04
DAILY PRESS.
POHTS1lANn.
Fliday Morning, February 4, 1870.
The stny-nt-Home' Policy.
PORTLAND!
NoRR1DeEwocK, Jan. 25. 1870.

NoRRIDGEwoCK, Jan. 25. 1870.
10 the Editor of the Press:
am well aware that much has been writ
ten and spoken upon this subject, and per-
haps, no words of mine can have any effect
whatever; yet desire to call the attention of
your readers, very briefly, to few things that
are of very great Importance to the future de-
velopment and prosperity of the State.
know of but two reasons-if reasons they
can be called-why persons should leave Maine
for other sections OF the country: first, de-
sire for milder climate, and secondly the
productions of such climate. Even allowing
that these are advantages, has not our State
sufficient advantages over others, not only to
cancel these two, but also to leave surplus
in our favor? If our climate is not as mild
as the climate OF some other State, is it not as
healthul and does it not tend more univer-
sally to the development of muscle and brain?
Are not our productions as necessary to main
tam life as others?
Maine has an extended sea-coast, rivers suit
ed to inland navigation and manufactures
rapidly increasing lines of railroad. immense
forests, excellent farming lands, in Short every
thing, almost, that is needed 10 make her
first class manufacturing State. 1t takes but
a glance at her water power to see what she
is capable ef producing.
In looking over Hayward's New England
Gazetteer, published thirty-one years ago,
found the following under description of
Waterville: The water power at Waterville
and in the vicinity, is singularly great. A Cir
Gle described from Ticonic falls, as centre,
with radius of five miles, includes two falls
across the whole Kepnebec, at Kendalps mills; /;
two falls, five miles distant, ON the Sebasti-
cook; and an indefinite series of falls upon
the Emerson stream, from the cascade lat
West Waterville to its confluence, besides
numerous rapids, which could easily be dam
med, on all these streams. 1t is believed
that no similar circle of ten miles diameter in
New England, comprehends SO large and con-
venient water power"
If such was the view taken of Water
vile thirty years ago, when no railroad had
reached it, what should be its importance no,p,
wnen two lines of railroad pass through its
Upon the great rivers of Maine, and upon
their tributaries also, are powers of which any
State might be proud.
The question now is Shall Maine become
the great State which it is possible to make
her?
The power is in the hands of her citizens.
Let them invest their money at home, encour-
age capitalists to examine Maine and offer sat-
isfactory inducements to them, encourage i'm
migration and every enterprise which can in
any way benefit the public, keep their sons and
daughters at home, and the future of our
State is secure?
We believe in the 4" stay-at-home" policy;
in fact, it is necessary, not only that we should
believe in it, but that we should advocate it.
For, if we do not remain here, it is not proba-
Bile that others will come here. We must re-
spect our State, if we would have others re-
spect her.
Citizens of Maine, your interests are here,
preserve them. Preserve them by policy
that will result in the honor and glory OF your
State. p.