Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-03-31

The meeting at Granite Hail. yesterday after
noon in the interests Of the projected line of rail-
road from Quebec through the valley Of the Ken
nebec to Wiscasset far exceeded in point Of num-
bers, character and enthusiasm the most sangune
expectations of its most ardent friends Not only
our own citizens were present, but large numbers
gathered from Sidrcy, West Watervlle, Norridge-
wock, Anson, and all points on the Upper Kcnnc-
bee, showing by their presence and attention, their
deep interest in the important matter under con-
si3eration
The meeting was called to order at o'clock by
his Honor, Mayor Nash, who addressed the dis
tinguished Canadian guests and audience as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Ljomiaion and Fe2ow CRizens
The honor has fallen upoa me of calling this
meeting to order; in SO doing, congratulate you
on the pleasure and profit which the occasion
promises.
You, gentlemen of the Dominion Of Canada,
have come here to confer on suoJect-not OF ar
bitratiou, not Of national boundary, not OF dip
lomacy-but on the far Dober subject OF how we
may build across your country and ours-irom
Quebec to the sea- q railroad thoroughfare over
which the commerce OF Peace and Industry shall
pass in endless procession, and which shan be an
other link in the bond of international friendship
and unity. welcome on, gentlemen, to our city.
The people whom have the honoi to represent,
would deem me dcrohct in my duty, should fail
to extend to You in their name, hearty New
England welcome. Your presence gives them en-
couragement and new zeal IN the onteilrlse which
we meet to-day to discuss.
And, fellow citizens of Augusta, am proud to
stand before a. this time, at ths formal lnaug
uration in our city, of work of SO much value to
Augusta, to the valley of the kennebec, and to
the State Of Maine, as a railroad from Wicasset
direct to the city of Quebec. The feasibility of
the enter prise, which has been courageously be-
at hp oth he M of Is
importance TO our community, VIII be unoded
and presented to you by the several speakers W ho
will address you on this occasion.
The Mayor announced the following list of
officers
Presidcnt-Goyernor CoLnor.
Secretsries-Orville ID. Baker, aug4s;a; How
ard Owen, Augusta; Chas. B. Morton, Augusta.
Vice Presidents-IIenry ingalls,, Wiscasset:
Col. II. A. Dewitt, Augusta; Stephen ID. Lind
sey, Norrdgewock; Gen. w. S. Iilton, Togns;
T. w Hubbard, Wiscasset; i. A, Field, sidney;
T.. +. Pillsbury, Augusta; IL. y. Baker. SIDNEY;
Joseph Tucker Wiscasset.
He then introduced Governor Corner who had
been selected to preside on the occasion.
Governor Conner WAS most enthusiastically re-
ceived. lie SAID he had accepted the invitation to
occupy the position, as he considered ii duty to
participate in enterprise so full CT promise as
this. He considered it also great pleasure to
Join with his fellow citizens and TIER disirg-
uished guests in the exercises Of the occasion.
Of the importance and advantages of this enter
prise, there can be no controversy; there are no
two minds that subject. All roads, and es-
pecially railroads, are now deemed necessary to
progress and civilization. except the road TO ruin.
The time has passed when railroads were feared
because the people thought the screech OF the To-
comotive would frghten the cattle III the pastures.
We now face the iron horse without fear. From
the benefits derived from railroads feel that our
capital invested in them has not been misplaced.
We look upon Thousand miles Of railroad
as amongihe most important elements ofour COM
mon wealth. We look upon II as our hore for the
future in the great revival Of business which must
soon como. This enterprise, it seemed to him, is
one Of exceptional importance. 1t IS not novel
and unfamiliar project; but 1t has been delayed,
and its full significance has scarcely been compre-
hended. This, ultimately, to the rcpp lie Of Maine,
will be our Central Pacific road. While We have
been slow in comprehending the advantages of
the project, our neighbors q, Quchec have discern
cd that here, across our very doorways Is the
great channel of communication to the home
country. We need not tatter ourselves that we
have attracted these distinguished gentlemen, but
our great natural advantages culninatir2 IN the
magnificent harbor at Wiscasset have frawn them
here. lie felt that the people of the ; ate should
be grateful to our nsiehhors for lat orlng to per-
feet this union with US. The road is lieady half
contracted for and its building 10 that eNt ut Is as
sured.
lie Joined heartily with those who honorcd our
distinguished visitors. In behalf Of the State, be
took pleasure in welcoming them, 6nd trusted that
their visit would be one OF the steps III the estab-
lshmept with them at Quebec of relation, Of the
most asli a. friendly character. Quthec, to
us, is now almost city Of cloud laDd-a city of
romance. Thanks that measures have been insti-
tuted to throw down the Chinese walls, and let the
daylight through the dense wilderness.
The road would bring the traffic of the great
Dominion of Canada to our doors. Not only is the
matter of throus traffic to be considered, but that
of q local character as well. The valley OF the
Kennebec is the garden of Maine, ard thu ough the
k.rs Al. adj tho tgn n
are no longer the "Pine Tee State" Our
forests have been depleted and We must now look
to our agriculture, quaIries and mines to take Their
place and this road will offer great advantages IN
the way of transportation.
The question whether the present time Is most Ia
vorable to commence the enterprise, cannot be de-
cided lightly. True the stringency of the times
makes it cheap to undertake the enterl rise but, on
the contrary. it is difficult in such times to raise the
money. 1t is really contest between enterprise
and hard times. 1t would seem that enterprise
ought to put forth an extra effort and win. But
this is not the place for generatie', glltterrg or
otherwise, but it is purely business meeting ne
would therefore yield the floor to gentlemen who
could give positive information. -,
Henry Ingalls,, Esq, of Wscasset, was called
upon to speak for the deep-sea harbor. lie sala
that it is well known that the harbor OF Wlscasset
is without rival in the world, and that it is de-
sired on the part of our Canadian friends for the
terminus of their road connecting the st Law
renee with the Atlantic. He then gave history,
IN brlef, OF the various enterprises. 1hey had at
Wiscasset charter for road connecting tide
waters with the city OF Augusta. The name of
Wiscasset and Kennebec had been changed to
Wiscasset & Quebec, as more significant of its
character and destiny. The Kennebec Il Mesa
lonskee extends from Augusta to West Water
vile, the Somerset road from West Watervillo to
tue line of the State. On the other side the Lewis
4 Kenncbec is to run from the city of Lewis OPP
poste Quebec, to the line of the stste to connect
with the Somerset road. There will then be
continuous line from Quebec to our Atlantic coast
We have reason to speak with pride of the ancient
Dominion; it is partly ours.
This route is the shortest, easiest and most di.
rect. 1t is the old Indian trial, and the road
which the white man naturally took on the first
settlement of the country Nature has unmistak-
ably marked out this line, which is no new thing /;
but the enterprise has been too long delayed.
The harbor of Wiscasset lies in direct line
from Quebec to old England. 1t is entirely free
from al distractions, ice, sand bars, rocks and
reefs, with sufficient depth Of water at low tide to
float the largest vessels, and have many fathoms
to spare. It is easy Of access at all times, in fogs