The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-07
t talent and skill at work upon it, fashion II

set talent and skill at work upon it, fashion It
all for the fine uses ard finish it to the high |
perfection which sooner or later It would have
founu eiseWLere-put five hundred dollars
worm OF such work upon it and you have
naue IL worth thousand. You have done
more. You have gained the countless ad-
vahtsges OF cherishing the industry and skill
tine talent and character employed upon IL.
Garry this out on a large scale and into all the
helds OF enterprise that invite us on every
SIDE and you are doing something for others
as well as yourselves. You encourage diyersi-
fed industries and increase wealth. You lend
helping hand to humble toll and honest
ambition. You quicken hope and pride and
higher aspirations. You carry life into des-
erts and happiness into homes. This some
what more than fancy is the right policy for a
State like Maine, with her unparalleled adj
vantages and her strong sinews anxious and
eager to be at work.
Then as to railroads we are doing all that
is possible. More than 25O miles ofnew road
are now building in many directions, where,
ever enterprise points. The great Io'u
which connects us with Halifax,-hence Is
already freighted with SO many stIrlng hopes
of good,now lacks but aooa t my ~; ni'es Oh com
has already made generous gifts, and an effort
is to be made to induce Congress to recognize
the claim assigned to the war by Maine and
Massachusetts,. We trust this may be success.
full, and that the year may witness the con
summation.
In the West too, we have openings which
are scarcely less, if not indeed more, in their
promise OF good. The courage and energy of
Portland is undertaking the task of cutting
her way through to the great lakes and the
greater West; proving thus link in the mag
nihcent continental claim, has already ensued
victory. Other efforts as worthy can scarce.
ly name here, but they also deserve our inter-
est and care.
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION.
The railroad commissioners make valuable
suggestions in their report, which commend
to your attention. The feature of immediate
interest which will c2me before us is the pro-
posed consolidation of prominent lines in the
State. II this means to place the public at
the mercy of monopoly unrestrained by re-
| sponsibility to the State and relieved from the
checks OF competition, I cannot recommend
1t to your favor. But this probably is not the
case. The roads however, have already the
power to consolidate to all practical intents,
by lease. 1t is not the mere authority to fix
times and rates which they ask, that they al
ready claim to have. do not believe, how
Whatever their charters en may contain, | do
not believe it is competent for State to grant
away her powers over public thoroughfares
| like these. 1t is to cede away her "right of
eminent domain" These corporations took
private property for public uses. Is it likely
that they have no responsibility to that public
TOR whose uses this property was taken? It
is the indefeasible duty of the State to take
care OF herself, and of her citizens. Every
| thing is hers, if need be-our fortune and our
lives. Shall railroads claim immunity? With
| this understanding, need not feel it neces-
| sary to oppose consolidation.
There are manifest advantages for the State
in it. LIST, We may take the occasion If there is
any doubt, to declare or reaffirm the ultimate
right OF the State over the roads. I'd, The
| public convenience may thereby be facilitated.
81, better securities based on the whole
property and franchise would be given in ex-
change for old ones. 4th, The usual wran-
Cling which railroads have INDUCED in before
the legislative and political control which
| they have sought, would be entirely at an
end. 9th, The waste of money and strength
in building needless branches. These things
can see in favor of the roads. If we can
not aid them otherwise, let them combine
their own strength. But I leave the decision
to your better judgment.
Inc Things we have been considering are
great matters. We must not let them drift /;
put seize them with a strong ha I'D and WELD
Them Tor the common welfare. 1t is not
enough to call power into exercise, we must
pc able to guide and control it, and shane II to
useful ends. We must be ready when the in
cupus Is lifted from enter prise and the bolts
thrown from capital to receive the influx of
strength and population, that will surely
come, and to take part in the great recipro-
city of civilization which are as the tides of
| life to nations.
Gentlemen, we have reached the fiftieth
year OF our existence as State. We are NOT
ashamed OF her history. One of the earliest
In discovery and colonization, she is one of
the latest in the development of her resour.
ces, and the fruits of civilization. Yet all the
obscure trials and toll that have interviewed
wrought for the times that were to come
Inc state sees her place and owns her duty
ana does not spurn the task that enfolds the
triumph. The gates of Destiny are onened
and she enters on her proud career. We shall
watch with admiring interest and help with
untiring toll her onward way. Nor can it be
that we hope and prophesy in vain. Onr
WORK may be obscure and the reward far off:
put both will live. The early discoveries of
thls territory foresaw the future and foretold
lts glory: Then by reason of human weak
ness ana immature times, they fell short or
perisneo. Then came two centuries of dull
mechanical~ advance-slow moving by mere
force OF physical laws, without any grand mas
tery OF mind and inspiration of idea But in
forces were preparaton5 ee s1ssS ssesm fe
ment, and germs maturing which were in due
time to rpen into blessings of which all that
work and waiting were actual elements. The
seeming death foretold and foreordained the
life. The thrilling story of the voyagers rang
round the world and seemed to have runo
itself away. But it is heard again coming
round on the other side, swelling with the vet
more wondrous harmonies of prophecy full
filled.
So we may be Building better than we
Know" Our humble works wrought in faith
are regenerated by mightier Spirit than that
IN Wnlch they were conceived, and built into
ioitier monuments than our hands have rear
ed. We pass and are forgotten, but amidst
Inc silent or tumultuous years our good seeds
are working free from the faint of our imper-
lection, and stand solid and shining in the
perfect day. God seals with men as the melt
er OF metals. He puts the earth-mingled ores
into his crucible, and seals it up in fiery tur-
naces out of view. Men forget it. Int He
does not. In the tullness of time it is opened
10, on one side, the dull earth, on the other
the glittering ore. Surely, he "sits as a re-
finer of silver"
He who thinks of these things will be hum
Bile, but will not be idle; trustfll but not spir-
itless; reverential but not afraid. He is the
true worker heir of the ages past, and testator
to the "all hail hereafter" Ii is thus that
they who labor must also wait; that they who
are faithful shall endure. 1t matters little
what becomes of us if we so conduct our
great Governments that they who come after
US are thereby made wiser and better than
we. 1t matters little that our poor toll seems
buried in the dust, If so be that it shall spring
up again to bless the coming time.
The ways OF Providence seem slow to our
BRIEF imyetuous lives; but they are swift in
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