Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-18

Vi 'her approval and support, have one worf
TOT our magnificent school system. upor
winch rests the future intelligence and hon,
OF the people, nor does it officially apnounc,
'he sentiments or purposes of its author ir
reiation to the great cause of te importance anc
prohioltion- in which the people of this State
take the lead, and which, however we NAV
'i"er As 10 particular enactments. has toe
long been the settled policy Of the republican
party to be shaken or DESTROYED. an tbe.e
matters seem to have been overlooked in th,
pages contained in this report. or were no,
deemed of sufficient importance to demand
attention at this time.
But not only is there a failure to call atten.
ton to these elements of our present great
prosperity, but running all through the docu.
ment Is the suggestion, which at times
oroadens into an open declaration. that As a
people we are oppressed with debt and taxa.
tion, to escape which men either succumb TO
despair or leave their homes to try their for
tunes IN new country; that at least some of
the people look to the future with gloomy
iorebodings. seeing no way out of the tolls of
debt and taxatiOn;' that thousands of our
citizens have left the State during the decade,
to escape their burdens of debt and taxation.
hoping to better their chances in new
country; that "a prosperous people do not
emigrate. only those who are in distress. -
and THAT tif' unjust and oppressive nature
OF our laws for the collection of debt is one
OF the most efficient causes tending to drive
our citizens out of the State" Added to this
Is the intimatiOn that we are in danger from
corporate power, the acquisition by few of
all the land in the country, and the destruc-
tion of that equality which is claimed to be
the foundation of our free institutions.
nd hts oil -. ~.
condition Of this State unrelieved BY a single
hopeful suggestion, its general effect rendered
still more sOmbre by ominous predictions of
future political disaster to State and Nation.
has been sent out as the words of the Chief
Executive, for the information not only of
our own people, but all the world beside.
Had the report and the document it contained
alluded to the sources of our wealth and
social advancement, to the enterprise. thrift
and energy which have distinguished the
sOns OF Maine. both at home and abroad. and
to those peculiar advantages. Of river and sea
which we enjoy, and which go so far to over
come the severity Of our climate. and the
rocky character of our SOIL it would of neces-
sity have afforded Il more cheerful and a
more truthful presentation Of our actual con-
ditiOn. But as if to produce the most de-
pressing effect. the different topics therein
contained are grouped with artistic skill. so
that the subjects which in and of themselves
do not tend to gloom and dissatisfaction. are
either briefly treated and surrounded by those
of an opposite nature, or are the occasion for
remarks full of forebOding for the future sta
bility and security of orr free institutions.
1t is true that the full picture with its sunny
groupings of happy and prosperous New
England homes-with its brighter colorng of
agricultural, manufacturing and commercial
enterprise, and its glorious background of a
spirited and intelligent people,-now just
emerged from the shadow of great financial
depression--pressing forward in honorable
competition with the people of other States,
in the pathway of social and business sue
cess. would not have had the same effect in
producing dissatisfaction and political dis
content in our midst. nor make men restless
and desirOus of political changes. But the
completed picture would seem to be more
healthful in its influence at home and to pro-
duce better and more truthful impression
abroad.
Nor does the present hour seem suitable
for these gloomy forebodings. There was a
time when the people of this country were
suffering from the financial revulsions and
depression which followed the feverish period
of speculation and extravaganza which COM
menced soon after the civil war began. and
continued for some years after its close
But that calamitous day has passed. and in
its place we have healthful business activ-
ity, based upon sound and stable currency,
amply secured by the vast productions OF tins
wonderful country. and destined to increase
with greater and more beneiceEt results, as
step by step we develope our grand resources
With the exception Of shipping, which has
hn ipinry o.
ceiyed during the rebellion, what great in
terest is suffering or depressed: Is it agr-
culture? WHY, Sir, never did we reap more
abundant harvests. or find more certain
markets for our produce. From the Aroos-
took to the Pacific. no blight has fallen upon
the labor OF the husbandman, but he has
seen fulfilled in fullest measure the promise
Of seed time and harvest Is it trade!
Never before did the great centres of bnsl-
ness increase in size with such rapldity, or
TEEN with greater commercial activity Is
it manufactures:
What mill to-day lies idle for want
of customers to consume its produc-
tion? Nav, rather, we not only produce Tor
our own fiffv millions of consumers but by
our superior energy and excellence OF ma
chiuery we are pushing our goods into mark.
ets which hitherto have been monopolzed
by nations older in civilization, and whose
crowded populations give cheaper labor.
Evervwhere-upon sea and land-in every
dena,tment of industry. whether in the pro-
durt of the raw material from the soil, or the
apparentlv exhsustless mines which each year
are extended by new discovery. or In the
conversion of that material into every neces-
s;tv and luxury demanded by the wants OF
c;y;lized man, we are to-day exhibiting to the
world A picture of thrift and successful en-
orov which arrests its attention and challenges
an admiration which sometimes approaches
envy. c., hi,
heb;nd her sister States in doing her share to
6II ont and render truthful this glad picture
of substantial good fortune. 1t is true that
har Industries and sources Of revenue nave
somewhat changed since she became state.
t. ;s also to be admitted that her winters
arc more protracted and rigorous. and her
-, raou;res more labor than in some other
,,ort;ons of the country. But notwithstand-
;ry these disadvantages she has steadiiy IN
creased in wealth and now exhibits THRIFT
a. substantial as it is abundant Her
,,aopl, are sober. industrious and frugal
b. 6sberies are inexhsustible and make
..o,, vear a rich return to those who are
e,.,sd in them. Her forests of pine swept
;,b an extravaganza which would seem
to nrove that their owners thought thehi o'
i;,,Ia value. nov make place for other TIM
H. Of oreater abundance and allow the pur-
.u;, Of other enterprises OF larger pront-