Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-05

MAINE THE BEGINNING OF NEW
ENGLAND.


ENGLAND.
To the Editor of the Journal
The remarkable historic remains upon the
shores of Maine now attracting the public eye
will justify the devotion of more considera-
ton than has hitherto been given by the press
and literature of our State, if not of the pub
lie authorities of the State. In the language
of the eminent Secretary of the Massachusetts,
Historical Society, on a recent occasion. Gan
institution in age, eminence, respectability
and zeal which stands at the head of the his
torical literature of the country 'sthe his
tory OF Maine is full of interest-even the
interest of romance" therefore sketch for
your use as the organ Of communication with
every part of the State, few points, the most
salient of interest in the field of the operations
of the Maine Historical Society. Under its
auspices field day exercises have been in
augurated, to bring the great events making
up the past Of Maine home to the popular
mind. In the intelligent masses which fill
up the rural districts of Maine the experience
of our society finds for its labors an intel
sympathy and heartier cooperation, than in
the crowded, busy, bustling centers of trade,
where thought and interest are overwhelm-
ingly absorbedin the art of skinning coppers
Our society would awaken thought, direct
the consideration and stimulate the interest
of the popular mind in Maine by the facts of
her grand past, which in turn will react in
opening to her hand greater resources for
the successful prosecution of her great work.
The recent undertakings at Pemaquid, the
making of the Popham celebration great
State picnic, fraught with instruction as vel
as seaside recreation to the masses of our
citizens are not among the least public bene-
fits.
PopHAM CONTROVERSY
A controversy indeed has developed itself
between the citizens of Maine and the citizens
| of Massachusetts in relation to the signif-
cancy and Importance Of the Popham celebra-
ton, and some of the Jealous partizans OF the
Massachusetts claims in aid of their view of
their side.of the controversy, have sought to
invest it with religious prejudices, to the ut
ter perversioh of the truth of history and
the prostitution of the purposes of the Pop
ham celebration as a historical recreation.
| The colonial enterprise at the mouth of the
kennebec river in August 1907 was an official
act of authority, projecting on the soil of
New England, at point deemed the most
eligible and desirable and effective for the
legal purpose in view, a civil organization,
embodying the elements of the British con-
stitution and the forces of the common law,
for the use and protection of British subjects
on American soil.
1t was therefore a governmental act con-
templating formal possession or entry for pos
session of the soil Of New England, taken
with the exact sanctions and all the formali-
ties of State right, in which all the forces
of the British constitution in civil and ecclesi-
astieal polity were made to operate in engraft-
ing the laws, religion and civilization of Eng
land upon the savage wilds of New England,
constituting a public ayowal of legal title
and defensible right of British subjects at
all times and everywhere to home in New
England.
| The popular elements represented in the
British constitution were not overlooked in
the scheme Of civil polity organized into
government at the mouth of the Kennebec in
1907.
On the 10th of August the entire company
of emigrant colonists was gathered on the
chosen site of the municipality about to be
organized; then after reading their charter
laws George Popham ''was nominated" Presi-
dent and thas was made the chief magistrate
and executive thereof
The term used to describe the manner of
Pophams elevation to administrative power,
implies that the recognition of the popular voice
was regarded as an important precedent requi-
site. At this day it is by nomination" that all
our popular rulers are selected, civil magis-
trates or otherwise; President as the chief
magistrate of government, and nomination
as a precedent popular recognition of fitness
for election to executive power, we are
think safe in saying began in Maine at the
mouth of the Kennebec river, and has now
become adopted into our national polity.
Surely the motto of Maine ''Dirigo'--I Lead
is an appropriate one as feature of her his
toric relations to her sister States in their
civil polity. s4
! As if by magic following the civil organiza-
ton, there rose in the midst Of the tall grown
pines and over-shadowing oaks Of Sagadahoc,
a village, the first lin New England, of fifty
houses. A village church too, the first of
English faith and practice and worship, was
reared A fort, the earliest projection of
English strategy on New England soil, by en-
trenchment, was erected and fortified. Then
was opened ship yard under its protecting
guns, and the keel of the Virginia stretched
and her hull launched and mssted In the Ken
nebec waters; the first sea-going ship built in
North America and which sailed from Saga
dahoc to London and from London back and
t forth to the Chesapeake Bay with English EN-
r igrants and supplies; and was in the waters
-