The Portland daily press., 1883-11-20
A Great Project.

We invite the public spirited citizens of
Portland rho are interested in the future of
the city to the important suggestions made
in communication concerning the accom-
modations required by the Canadian Pacific
R. R., in order that it may accomplish the
most for itself and for us by making its At
lantic terminus here. The writer of the ar
tice is a gentleman who is not likely to be
mistaken, and it may be assumed that the
statement he makes of the reason which
caused the representatives of the Canadian
Pacific company who recently visited Port
land TO hesitate in their plan is substan-
TALLY correct. There may have been others,
but the force of this one is apparent.
With regard TO the scheme suggested to
overcome the difficulty, il is so elabol ately
set forth in its important features that moth
ing needs to be added in this place. 1t is
entirely feasible. The difficulties are not
great, and the cost, that portion OF it which
the city will have to incur, will not be OPP
pressve. If the making of the new street
will secure for Portland the terminus of a
great transcontinental railway, the cost will
be Insignificant in comparison with the ad-
vantages.
The Boston Sunday Herald reports that
one of the merchants of that city, lately
spoke of Portland as a place "of no ac-
count" as an Atlantic ontlet for Canadian
commerce. Probably he is ignorant of the
fact that during the winter large proper
f;oy, of oil .ho ooro raaroa ~ Conodo with H.,
rope passes through our harbor, and that it
is deeper and safer and more accessible
harbor than Boston has. Considering what
Boston has done to make convenient con-
nection between railroad and steamship
lines, and the difficulty that city has in
keeping the business SO sedulously fostered,
it does not become her to sneer at Portland.
We are doing very well, thank you, and we
expect to do better.
But it is not for us to rest content with
what has been achieved. There is more to
be done. If we would have growth, we
must make the opportunity for it. The
ground must be prepared, the tree must be
planted and cared for. Nature has done
much for US but enterprise will do much
more. Nature did her part to make St.
Louis great city; but Chicago, which had
very mean natural advantages, has become a
greater through the enterprise of her peo-
pie.
The muskrat is building thin walls to his
dwelling, the squirrel has laid in no
supplies and corn husks are very thin.
These things are said to indicate an open
winter. Yet the most open winter we ever
have in this climate is certain to be a long
season of cold and inclement weather, in
which comfort can only be secured by warm
dwellings and warm clothing. 1t is sea-
son very trying to the poor, for work is liza
BILE to be scarce and demands which can on
ly be met by money are sure to be many.
It therefore behooves those who are blessed
with abundance of the worlds goods to see
to it that their less fortunate brethren do not
suffer for the lack of that which they can
cient. Many men give literally and yet fail
to relieve distress. To accomplish the lat
ter.which is the true end of charity, it is not
only necessary to give, but also to see that the
gift is worthily bestowed and wisely used.
The individual can seldom do this. That
must be left largely to organized associa-
tions. Therefore giving to these associations
is much more likely to relieve distress than
giving to the poor directly, and for that rea-
son should be the general rule of the chart
table