The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-05-11
The Business Future Of Belfast.

The Business Future o! belIaSf'
Now that the railroad to our city has
been completed, and has passed into the
control of company that guarantee its
efficient operation, the time has come for
our citizens to cast about and see how its
advantages can be made to contribute to
the growth and business prosperity of
Belfast We have never lost faith in the
original purpose with which q railroad
from this city to the interior was projected
that Of drawing to the nearest tide-wa
ter the heavy freight which naturally
seeks such an outlet, and Of conveying
thither the corresponding class of supplies.
At the head Of q bay. navigable for all
classes of vessels, and which penetrates
fifty miles toward the interior of the State,
it must be apparent at q glance that our
city has unusual advantages for business.
For certain classes of trade. within a
radius of nearly hundred miles north
and west, it can, with proper eXertions to
that end, be made almost the sole inlet
and outlet.
The large and increasing consumption
of coal demands a nearer tide-water ac
cess for that heavy freight than it has had
hitherto. Salt, corn, plaster, sugar, mo-
lasses, iron, and all the goods coming I'M
der the general classification of dead
weight, will always be economically
carried for long distances by shipping, OF
as near its destination as possible. And
so of the outlet from the country above to
our port for shipment. From Portland to
Bangor the Maine Central or its branches
do not touch a single open, salt water port
except Belfast, unless it be Bath. If a
cargo of shocks for West India port or
tor the Mediterranean be ready for ship
mcnt at any town on the lines of the road
above us, where can it be put on board to
better advantage than at Belfast? So of
slate, when the road which is to be rapid
" extended from Dexter, shall touch the
quarries-and so Of all products mineral,
mechanical and agricultural, which the
large and growing communi ties above us
will seek an outlet for. With only or
binary encouragement these will fall to
us as surely as the falling apple gravitates
to the earth.
Belfast possesses other natural advant
ages to be improved. The same position
which makes her the natural outlet and
inlet for this region, will give her, if skill
fully used, a large and constantly grow
ing general trade with the same people.
If steadily increasing wholesale bust
ness does not spring up in Belfast. as
result of the opening of this road, it will
be mainly because our business men lack
enterprise and the penetration to see their
golden opportunity, In the last six months
men who We're never before seen in our
streets have bought goods and taken them
home by rail-in some instances cleaning
our market out of certain kinds Of merchan-
disc This beginning needs only to be
fostered to grow into large and lucra-
tive trade.
That ''the Lord helps those who help
Themselves" is rs true in business rs in
politics or war We cannot slumbcr with
out being otertaken by the fate of the
sluggard. Energy, activity, enterprise,
are the talismen that transmute our labors
into gold. We see in the active army of
runners sent out by the merchants of
Portland, Boston and New York, so many
long arms reached abroad to search the
country for trade and gain. By the same
means a portion of the trade can be
brought to our city, and the profit saved
to our traders. We have among us bust
ness houses, with large capital, controlled
by men of brains, energy and capacity,
that can easily expand into wholesale cs-
adjustments. Some of these, to our per-
sonal knowledge, have made very prom
Using beginnings in supplying goods to
traders in the country towns above, and
propose to enlarge that trade. But we
want this idea to pervade our people gen
orally.
The traffic in fresh and cured fish,
which is very large along the line of the
Central road, is done wholly by the city
Of Portland. From Bangor to Lewiston,
and along the Kennebec river to Skowhc-
gan, the fresh cod, mackcrel, halibut,
lobsters, &C., come by rail from Portland.
Belfast is Just as well situated and even
better, to do this business. Shall it be
lost for lack of a little enterprise and en-
ergy?
The manufacturing capabilities of our
city should be improved. If the demand
for ships of American build ever revivcs.
| no port i" Maine can furnish all classes Of
tonnage to better advantage. The native
woods for frames, spars and finish can be
easily reached by railroad. Southern oak
and pine can be landed at our yards easily
and cheaply. Our builders are not sur
passed in skill and faithtulness. Even
with the depressed condition of shipping
generally, there will be always a demand
| to some extent for coasters and fishermen
which can be supplied here to advantage.
| Shipbuildcrs should bear in mind that it
is low water with their. business now, and
that there must be turn in the tide some
day. How soon it may be, depends upon
the enlightenment of Congress; and we
do not choose to believe that it can al
| WAYS be hostile to a branch of industry so
important.
The success with which the manufacture
of paper is carried on at the three mills in
our city, shows that industries can be
made to thrive with u.s. The unfinished
enterprise Of Mr.. Pierce upon the same
water power should be started anew, and
made to contribute to the prosperity of
the locality. 1t has unsurpassed ad-