The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-22
Letter from Madawaska.
The Modern Acadians-Con of our
French POpulatfon-An Honest and
Thrifty PesPle-spiritunlizcd Swine.
HoULToN, Oct. 10, 187

HoULToN, Oct. 10, 1874.
In former letter gave some account of the
prosecutions which led the few Acadians to
settle Madawaska. To remember the suffer-
ing of their ancestors would prevent these peo-
pie being very devoted subjects of the British
crown. Language and religion separated them
from the nation which claimed the soil on
which they lived. Tradition and history for
more than two centuries made the government
which claimed their allegiance, their foe and
oppressor. When, therefore, the Ashburton
treaty of 1912 eeded to the United States all
the territory north of Mars Hill which the
British claimed to be the 'highlands'' men,
toned in the earlier treaty, including as it did
all the French settlements on the western bank
of the st. John, these inhabitants were quite in
different The British government had never
attempted to win them and make them part
of the nation. They were British citizens be-
cause on soil claimed by the British crowH. To
them the cross of St. George was the emblem
of oppression and recalled all their wrongs as
people. The fact that on festive occasions
the old tri.color is brought out indicates the al
most unconquerable attachment of the French
race to their nationality.
When the ratification of the Ashburton
treaty in 1912 divided the Madawaska settle
ments almost equally between Great Britain
and the United States, they appeared entirely
Indifferent. No treaty could separate them.
Blood was thicker than the water of the ST.
John. Free trade from bank to bank is better
understood than treaties and tariffs in English.
The churches on either bank are more potent
magnetic agents to unite than the dssimilar
laws of two nations with their systems of gov
ernment have been to separate them. Indeed
until within few years, induced by the un-
scrupulous Buchanan Office holders, the oblig-
ing settlers of the British side visitel the
Maine side in crowds on election day and as
sisted their kindred in tongue and blood, to in.
iate the Democratic vote to astonishing dimen-
sions
The French people undoubtedly did this vot-
ing out OF pure courtesy to their Yankee
friends who repaid them by little change and
something stimulating. They are not naturally
inclined to this business They are naturally
honest and would not take hand in fraud
Your readers will also be glad to know that
sAAo oAAASi"io PSI PCeidtlus, VIC Uy WHICH
the vote of an entire region was Goubled, are
now very good refornsrs, glibly denouncing
the participation of federal office holders in 10.
cal politics They would not draw money from
banks to buy votes. That is, one who was a
candidate for Congress this year and participa-
ted in the Irregularities of 1858, said in his let
ter of acceptance that such things are very
improper.
One gets the impression from the careless
comment of those who have visited Madawaska
that the people there drink great deal of pe-
culiar spirit of unusual pungency and possess
ing wonderful intoxicating power. This is
SANDER A confirmed drunkerd is almost un-
known in that region and the stranger will
travel through that country several times be.
fore he will see fagon of that peculiar ex-
tractof Canadian rye and potatoes, which, in
defiance of revenue laws and officers, finds its
way to Uncle Sans side of the river. The
Acadia'American is, however, such an oblig.
ing and polite person that he will not generally
give cause for offense by refusing to drink the
health of the person who may ask HIM, pro-
vided he furnishes the fluid. AS people they
are temperate, fact that is largely due to the
influence of their clergy.
The Madawaskans are also remarkable for
their peaceable character. Neighborhood
quarrels are of rare occurrence and in the state
there is not a community of 5000 people that
gives less business to the courts than NADIA
waska A trial justice with the business of
the whole region would get out of practice.
A more hospitable people cannot be found.
Our best communities could learn genuine hos
pitality of this king hearted people. Although
strangers have for more than two centuries
been cruel to their ancestors, the stranger is
warmly welcomed and accorded the best place
in every house he may visit. That peculiar
product of our country known as "young
America" is not found in Madawaska. There
is noticeable regard shown by the young for
the old. venture to say that the language of
that country-a peculiar French-has never
been used by the son to speak of the father as
"my old man."
As whole the people of Madawaska are not
first rate farmers. Doubtless, in his picture of
Grand Pre-, Longfellow drew the picture of
their agricultural thrift and enterprise with
rather high coloIs If not, the descendants
have not maintained the high standard of
their ancestors There are many excellent
farmers and not few of the best farms to be
found in Maine. There are broad acres of in
teval land along the river, dotted with flocks
and herds that remind one of the story of
Acadia. The greater part of the farmers, how
ever, content themselves with raising field of
potatoes, few acres of buckwheat and a
smaller one of oats. Years ago the farms were
large but now they have generally been sub
divided until they measure from thirty to fifty
rods on the road and run back mile and half
or even more. When the country was first
settled the people depended entirely upon
their farms. Later the lumber business af-
forded the young men employment and for
many years large part of the population has
depended during the winter and spring for a
livelihood upon this business. 1t may be ques-
toned if on the whole, it has been advan-
tageous, for those who gave most attention to
agriculture are now the most independent
Now that the lumber business is falling off,
one comes to the conclusion that it has been
of little advantage to the district for their
farms are the poorer from neglect and little of
the results of their labor remains with them.
Last year was hard one for the Madawaska
people. A severe August frost destroyed their
crops, and shingle making was their main re-
lance.
But the panic so affected the prices that the
millions of cedar shingles offered the traders
and RATED down the st. John barely saved the
people from the gaunt wolf whose distended
jaws they saw. Store goods bring wonderful
prices in that country. 1t is long way here
and longer road from lumber to cash so that
"quick sales and small profits" is not the trade
mark in Madawaska. Most all of the goods
consumed in this region go up the st. John 10
Tobliue by steamer from Tobliue to Grand
Falls by tow boat and after being trucked