Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-03
O>A. gl
Miseell
MAINE: HER PLACE IN HISTORY.

Ihe-ollowing criticism of Gen. Cham
9erlain's Centennial Address, is from the.
New England Historical and Genealogical
Register:
This centennial period is destined.
among other things, to be famous for The
number and quality of historical publica-
ions That come from the press. As to
many OF these, while il would uos
nave been money in the pockets Of the
writers or publishers, had they never ap-
peared. 1t would have been money in The
pockets OF the purchasers, and credit to the
inteiligence of the American people. The
quantity Of shallow, fippant matter. called
historical literature, that has been cast on
the puoiic within few years, is amazing.
good deal of this has been in the form
ot oraeons and addresses, an easy way lsor
smatterers in history--men who never
looked INTO an original record, nor have
the slightest knowledge of the sources Of
history-to get into public notice and OBJ.
tain credit, for what they never had.
Little orators on low stumps,n y to ouote
Mr, Choate's felicitous description of them
nave shouted, quite enough Of their views
and interpretations Of history. As such
things are beneath the dignity of criticism
they pass current. There is consolation
in the reflection that these cheap produc-
tlons come to speedy forgeuulness.
AT length there comes forth pamphlet
more worthy OF the name of q book
win no higher title on the outside than
centennial Address," whose very. great
merits and interest place it among The best
Oh our centennial historical literature The
author has so many titles. civil and mill.
tary, that is not easy to fix on the one by
"hich ne Is most appropriately designat-
ed, He has now shown that he has a new
title to public consideration. i9n
This historical essay is a surprise. While
IL orinSs 10 hight no new facts, it shows
great research among the best authorities.
a just appreciation OF the Office OF bis.
tory, and real interest In this subject !. II
is the most comprehe nsive and candid rvs
view OF the history of Maine that has vet
appeared. President Chamberlain has dis
cussed, among other things, with fairness
and fuIness, all the contrOyerted points in
the early history Of Maine. In this he has
proceeded logically, and his points stand
out clear and sharp, He places Maine and
her worthy founder 10 the front rank Of
New England history, where they SO
righifully belong. He reviews, briefly.
the whole history Of Maine to the present
time. presenting. in vivid sketches, each
perlod, and not forgetting to notice the
great characters that have made her name
respected among the States. The several
historical maps and charts contribute much
10 clear understanding OF American his
tory, and are OF great value.
There is not space here to notice some
OF the more striking and Interesting feat.
ures OF this address. nor to point out some
inaccuracies and defects, hardly apprecia-
bic among so much that is excellent. We
dlffer IRON him only in' those matters
where his Judgment are sometimes rather
against Maine and her worthy colonizers.
II Is plain enough to see that when the
record OF the actions of Popham, Gorges,
Mason and their associates shall be made
complete, there will be no longer ground
iur any controversy as TO where the merit
oelohSs vi founding and settling New
England, nor as to The true place oil Maine
in history. p" 1tsdj
There Is one source of historical infor-
nation which strangely escapes the notice
of some writers, and that is, the Register
IL Is superfiuous to add that the thirty vol
umes contain hundreds of original docu-
ments and papers illustrative of New Eng
land history, not to be lfound elsewhere.
Besides, there are historical sketches aud
biographical memoirs made up from
original research. If President Chamber
lain had looked into some of the later
volumes, he would have found thai Sir
Ferdinand Gorges was never s'Goverpor"
oi plymouth; and that the matter. of the
naming OF Maine, alleged to be In honor of
the French Princess, Henrietta Maria, lis
set at rest. No writer on the Popham col
ony has yet recognized the statement by
Hubbard on the title page of his Narrative
OF the Indian Wars etc., that lrthe first
planting OF New Englandp was lin I6O7."
though made public some years since at a
meeting of the Maine Historical Society.
This able address is not without literary
merit. The style is fresh. vigorous and
attractive, q great contrast to most hisiori-
cal productions. 1t ought to go into every
household in Maine. &c. w. T..
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