The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-05-21
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Such is the title Of the lecture delivered IN
Reception Hall last evening by E. H. Elwell,
editor of the Transcript, in response to the card
addressed to him by many of our most prom-
pent citizens, which was published the other
day in our columns A large and interested
audience welcomed the lecturer and listened
with undivided attention from the commence
ment to the close
Mr.. Elwell commenced by reference to the
fact that the rates of increase of our popula.
ton has decreased from 81 per cent. in the
early part Of the century to little over per
cent. in the last decade. The fact was owing
to the emigration from Maine to other States,
particularly to the South and West. This is
partly owing to the difficulties of emigration
having been surmounted by the great facilities
for travel that have come into being during the
past half century and the increased knowledge
that closer acquaintance with those distant
sections of the country necessarily brings about.
People hear now of the inducements of soil,
climate, etc. held out by other States but learn
very little about their own. He introduced an
incident in regard to the difficulties attending
emigration in 1917, when in md-winter q man
could have been seen making his way down
Wall St, New York, pushing hand-cart be-
fore him filed with his babies and household
goods, On his way TO the West. What an idea
it was that would send man away from his
home at that season of the year, with such OBJ
sacles standing in his way ! as reason why
people should stay at home. He contendedthat
the natural outlet of the great Lakes was here.
The route to the great West was shorter from
Portland than from any of the other great sea-
ports of the country, and the way that was
shortest was naturally the most convenient
and cheapest Maine was also the outlet to
the great Dominion of Canada, and here dur
ing the winter season came the accumulated
products of the industry of that vast region to
obtain shipment to foreign shores
The speaker then described the agricultural,
manufacturing, and commercial facilities of
the State. He described the fertile lands lying
upon the Kennebec, the broad valley that
stretched from the Kennebec to the Penobscot,
and last but not least, that spacious tract lying
in the Aroostook, from whence by proper cul-
tivation immense crops could be raised. He
did not pretend that these crops would be pro-
duced with the same ease that would be by the
agriculturalist of the broad prairie lands of our
Westean States, but other advantages not OBJ
tainable in the West accompanied the extra
labor required here which fairly made up the
difference. Agriculture must have a market
if it would be successful, and market depends
upon manufactures. I'm order that 0lanufac-
lures may be introduced into State with sue
cess it is necessary that there should be good
water-pOwer. Now it is well known that the
undevelOped water-power OF the State of
Maine is something enormous. Statistics have
been made public by eminent photographers,
showing that the water-power facilities of this
State cannot be excelled. Then there are our
commercial facilities. Look at our long line of
sea-coast indented every few miles with good
harbors seemingly formed by nature to- make
the State the basis of an immense carrying
trade from this country to all parts of Europe.
The speaker next contended that a State
should not only be good place to make mon
ey in but it should be good place to spend it
in. He contrasted the health statistics of the
climate of Maino with those of the Vest
Here malarial diseases were unknown, while
in the West fever and ague met you on every
hand. Many people spoke of the harsh climate
of Maine They made great mistake. He
proved that pulmonary diseases were almost
unknown in the interior Of the State, and in
Bethel no person had ever died of consump-
ton. Scenery also constitutes one of the en-
joyments of life, and here the speaker drew q
series Of word pictures of our mountain scene
ry and forest lands with that singular felicity
OF expression and wealth of imagery that has
for many years marked him as one Of our prose
poets. He also contrasted with our inland
scenery, that of our coast which celebrated ar
lists have rendered so renowned, particularly
Mt. Desert, and showed that it appertained to
Maine alone since you might travel all the
way from Florida to Cape Ann to find moth
ing but barren shore.
The speaker closed with a general enumera-
ton of all the goods OF the land we live in, |
showing conclusively that without disparage- |
ment of any other part of the country if we |
would only make use Of the advantages that |
have been placed within our reach there would |
be no necessity of seeking homes elsewhere
After the lecture was ended Hon. Chas. Hol
den requested the audience to remain a mo-
ment, when Hon. John A. Poor offered a Sc.
ries Of resolutions, embodying an expression of
Of the qualification and instruction that the
audience had received, and requesting that the
lecture should be published in pamphlet
form, which were unanimously adopted
We regret that owing to press of other
matter we are compelled to give such meagre
sketch of SO interesting lecture, and one that
so vitality concerns the people of Maine, but
all will soon have a chance to read it for them
selves.