Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-24

Augusta, 1huzs1ay ns1nhg, March "A.
The Bath CenteNnlal.
The Centennial celebration It Bath vas
. very fine affair. rejecting great credit
upon the city and those who bore leading
parts in it. One of the pleasant features
Of The occasion was the return Of many to
take par. in the celebration who were born
and reared in the city. but bad removed
10 other States. Bot while it was pleasing
10 have them come home on such an occa-
sion, the thought could not help arising.
why could not these people have remained
In thsir own State and aided to build up
our cities and towns insteanc of employ
ing their means and energies elsewhere ?
The answer to such q query would be
from many of them that they could do bet
Ter elsewhere and 50 they went abroad 70
seek their fortunes. The fertile lands Of
the West enticed them. or lite in the larger
cities, or business at manufacturing centres,
or hope Of obtaining wealth. Perhaps as
young men they found all tie avenues TO
business and profitable employment closed
against them by older men who held such
places and would not '.give the boys q
chance" and therefore the boys" were
compelled to go out into the world to
seek what was denied them at home.
Right here let us say. we DO not think
young men are sufficiently encouraged in
our Maine cities and towns tn stay at home
and settle in their own State. Kind words
are not enough to hold young men full Of
life and ambition; there must be room
made for them upon the farm. in the count
ing room or Office. IN places Of public
trust Gas they are fund deserving) and
then thousands would stay at home and
help to improve and build up a prosperous
and happy State. Encouragement Of this
kind would be for the benefit of Young
and old. But it may be said that all
which could be done in this way has been
done. We beg leave to doubt the asser-
ton, and many who have left the State
will give their testimony in support OF our
dissent.
But there is class Of men who make
their fortunes in our State. and then move
away to build handsome residences and
spend their money among strangers. The
shipbuilding towns Of the State notably
furnish abundant instances Of this kind.
Il has been q profitable business in the
past to build and own vessels in Maine
(and will be again we trus). but large
portion Of the wealth thus accumulated
has gone out of the State. instead of re-
naming and furnishing the means to en-
large our industries and support our
schools. colleges and churches. These
men are all needed here. Their wealth
10 needed here. We lack capital more
than anything else. The State W, nd be
. hive Of industry and prosperity il we
had capital to improve our natural re-
sources. Millions of spindles. thousands
of workshops. hundreds Of miles Of rail-
roads, would be added here Immediately
only that capital is lacking to pay for the
labor of hands and for the material nee
essary to carry forward such improve
ments.
We want our men Of means to stay with
". Not only the cities want them but the
country also. Farming will pay better
when there is more money and more
manufacturing and shipbuilding in the
State. If our centennial celebrations shall
do anything to keep our young men and
our men OF wealth. capitalists. AT home. they
will be blessing to the State. and to the
cities and towns more especially in which
they are held. If Bath can succeed
In keeping the capital now within her bor-
ders and that may accumulate within
the next hundred years. and find en-
ployment for the natural growth OF her
she will at the nexs centennial
sit upon the banks of the Kennebec
queen among cities. opulent.s beautiful.
with her vessels in every part Of the
globe. her factories on every hand. and
with thousands Of homes the abodes of a
cultured. refined, prosperous and happy
people.
Upon the assembling of she Forty
Seventh Congress the President will. it is
reported. recommend bill tc be passed
changing the form Of government Of Utah,
- the foundation for the reforms for which
he has declared. The bill will abolish the
present form Of appointment o: Governor
and judges, and will provide. commits
ni0n Nho will administer all the affairs of