The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-01-12


adopt The extension of our railroads, the cultlva
ton of our unoccupied farming land, and the occu
patton and utilization of our water power, will do
very much in the right direction.
NATURAL ADVANTAGES.
In climate favorable to health and the develop
ment and exercise of the greatest physical and men
tai pOWers-in our soil favorable to agricultural
pursuits some of it equal to any in the country-r
our forests of wood and timber-in our extensive
sea coast, and safe and capacious harbors, furnish
ing unlimited capacity for shipbuilding and com
mercial pursuits-in our ability to make the very
rigor of our climate and the sterity of our coast
contribute to our wealth by unlimited supply o.
ice and granite, unsurpassed in quality By any in
the country and in our water power unrivaled in
extent and adaptation to manufacturing operations
we have resources whcih, if properly developed
will furnish profitable employment for all the i'll
crease of our own population and large immigra
ton for centuries to come. That the labor and cap
ital necessary for such development would be adj
vantageously employed there can be no doubt.
AGRICULTURE.
The idea entertained by some that farming is MOI
paying business, and that farmers are obliged tC
work harder and for less compensation than per
sons engaged in other pursuits, is incorrect. 1t is
true that fortunes are sometimes made more rapid
they are oftener lost. There is no business among
us that is 50 sure to furnish an abundance of all
that Is necessary to ensure real independence and
happiness as farming. Nor is it necessary fol
farmers to 60 out of the State to find desirable 10
calitleS for this business. Some western farmers
do better than others; others notiso well, On the
whole, it is probable that our Maine farmers make
nearly, and perhaps quite as much money according
to the amount invested, as they would i'll the west
and enjoy very much more Of all the cont )rts and
convenenceS of life.
Between three and four hundred townships
equal TO seven OF eight millions of acres, compris
ing some Of the best soil in the State, are still un-
touched by the hand of cultivation. increased
fapi forr and snort will
soon make portions at least of these lands es
pecally desirable for farming purposes, while the
increase of manufactures and commerce Will secure
q ready home market for all farm products at fail
prices. We are furnishing some good horses anC
other stock for the market These sell at prices i'll
dicating that with greater care and attention, this
branch of business may be pursued with advantage
and become source of large income. There IS NO
reason why the agricultural operations of this State
may not be very largely and proftably increased
wArER-PowER AND MANUFACTURERS.
One of our greatest sources of prosperity lies in
our immense Water-pOwer, a large amount of whici
is still unoccupied. The development of this wait
ing agency through the establishment of manufac
lures, will add largely TO the success Of all Other
branches of business. The facts recently laid be
fore the people through the photographic Survey
cannot tail to attract attention to our '"0nt!ertl
capacity for manufacturing pursuits. In this re
spect Nature has dealt literally with us, and giyer
US advantages unriyaleu bY any State in the Union
Much of this unoccupied power is already acceS-
sible by water and rail, and the extension of oul
railroad system will reach the balance as rapidly
as it can be occupied.
We cannot afford to ignore the conditions of sue.
will not come unbdden If we would win tht
crown we must run the race. The State that adopts
stand-still policy in this day of great enterprise
and rapid development, will, as she deserves, De
outstripped by her more enterprisng neighbors
1t is reason for congratuation, that these al
vantages are beginning to be appreciated by bust
ness men and capitalists, and that, encouraged ny
the lberaltv of our laws, large amount of capita
and labor has, within the last few years, been at
tracted to US, which has found profitable employ
ment in variety of manufacturing pursuits b
it ours by wise legislation and iudicious use o. the
advantages at hand to foster and encourage TIM
important interest.
1t is believed that the law authorizing towns 10
exempt for a limited number of years, manutactur
ing property from taxation, and the special acts a
thorizing them to aid such enterprises DV gut o
money or loan of credit, have contributed to thf
benefit of the towns exercising such authority anl
the State. | suggest that it would be well to au
thori1e towns bv general law, to encourage the es-
tablshment OF manufactures by subscription or loal
of credit. Under certain limitations. see no rea
son why this authority may not safely I've given
Any intelligent community may safely be trustee
with what relates to its own interests Instances
often occur in which the aid of few thousand dol
lars will secure the investment of capital, and thu
establishment Of business that would attract pop
ulation and capital, and increase the taxable pro
perty of the place as to reimburse, IN z few
years, many times over the amount originally given
PROTECTION TO INDUSTRY
In this connection deem it not appropriate to
advert to the subject of protection to industrial
pursuits. | do hot advocate what is termed hist
tariff The present tariff, except as it has been re
Gently modified. made to correspond Will
heavy internal taxation and should now, as 1t I'm
doubtedly will, be materially reduced.
"Revenue REFORM in its practical sense, canno
be too strongly urged upon those who make ant
administer the laws. But the term, when used Il
express the views Of some Of It's most demonstra
tive advocates, is somewhat vague and indefinite
1t is made the watchword of men who entertain al
shades of opinions on revenue questions, and es
pecally of those who advocate absolute free trade
A revenue reform securing the strictest economy
in all our expenditures and providing for the re
moval of National taxation from the necessaries o
life, and the productive industry of the country
the reduction or entire removal OF duties on sucl
needul imported articles rs do not come INTO Iii
furious competition with our own productions
should receive earnest support. 1t is dulusy'
to suppose that the necessary expenses OF the GoS
ernment and the interest on the public debt can bt
paid. and moderate reduction of the debt proVld
ed for without heavy taxation OF some KIND.
policy that will bring the products Of Europeal
labor that may he had for fifteen to fifty cents pen
day into competition i'll our markets on equal term
with our own labor, should and will be repudlitet
by the American people. What we needlS p0uc'
that will secure, not less, but more pay to our owl
labOrerS.
The aborng men in this country occupies Il posi-
ton in society entirely different from the working
men of Europe. They are the equals of their coun
trymen who arc engaged in other pursuits. W.
cannot afford to allow their degradation through
the influence of half paid labor. We now consume
too much of the products of foreign labor anu to
little of our own. A nations wealth is i'll its labor
ing men and women, and labor enriches the natlol
and the individual il proportion 10 its i'rotllictN
value.
The country is the most prosperous financial.
that approXimaes the nearest to supplying Its lie
mands for home consumption and exports the mos
of the products of its industries. While, therefore
l would cooperate i'll every measure tending to re
duce the expense of living and tighten the burden
of taxation, | earnestly hope no policy will b
adopted that will degrade American labor or lesser
its rewards.
RAILROADS.
The enterprise manifested by or people in tn
construction of railroads evinccS disposition t
appropriate the advantages which nature has place
within reach, and inspires lively hope Tor th
future Of the State.
From the Railroad Commissioners report ii aI
pears that 694 81 miles of railroad are now in OF
Grafton in the State. Of which Is have been bull
the past year, and that there are lSt miles unde
construction. The Commissioners recOmmcn
more stringent enactments for the prevention o
accidents. 1t is gratifying to learn from the repor
of the Commissioners that the railroad companie
in the State are generally raising the character o
their respective roads to higher level of durabilit
and safety.
The claim of this State and Massachusetts agans
the general government, which had been assignee
for the benefit of the European and North Ameri
can Railway, has been allowed, and secures tn
early completion OF the road This will open direc
Railroad communication with st. John, and by
road already built, with the Gulf of st. Lawrence
and, at IN early day by line rapidly approachn:
completion with Halifax. We Shall then have
continuous line OF railway extending the Who'll
length of the continent and connecting the Atlani
and Pacific oceans. The great thoroughtare be
tween Europe and the most of the American cont
nent and the Pacific coast will then be through hl
State
While this work has been going on in the Eas
an enterprise which originated in Portland has beef