Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-09

there we had what was called union meet
ing of all the lodges in the town where we
lived. They used to speak, declaim. and
have music, readings, &C, and sometimes a
treat, but our lodge being rather poor at
that time did not do much in the way of
treating the guests, but they were kind
| enough 70 excuse our shortcomings,
But must tell you how, after all this,
came to drift away across the globe, to
what was then wilderness.
After your grandmother and l were
married there was quite an excitement
about colonizing this part of the world
with Americans, as our own country was
so overrun with foreigners, and they
brought so many of their own ideas and
institutions with them, that we could
hardly be said to control our own
country or government.
After few years of planning, large
company started for this place, and as we
were determined that we would be free
people from the first, we drew up sketch
of our constitution before leaving home.
Our forefsthers had once declared them
selves free Of their parent government,
and proclaimed that all men were free and
equal, and then for years they held slaves,
till they had bloody war to put down
that evil. We determined to go further than
they had done and to live up to what we
r1at, bnl bnt
all men and r0men were born free and
equal and we started on that basis and
admitted none to our colony who would
not agree to this, and the accompanying
articles, which inevitably sprung from
this. For Instance, the great liquor qucs-
tion was settled at once, by the women
voting as a unit to forever prohibit its
manufacture or purchase in any form.
You see If it were not manufactured in our
colony, it could not be sold, and as we
could not purchase from other countries,
were a few of the men who wanted 1t per-
mitted to be bought and sold under high
license, but as majority were to rule and
all the women and most Of the men voted
for prohibition, there was no further
trouble. Once or twice after we settled
some emis-arics from other nations tried
TO smuggle some liquor into our colony,
but they were at once Imprisoned and as
soon a. they had served their term out
they We're sent back with the injunction
never 10 return under penalty of imprison-
ment for life.
BY somewhat smaller majority tobacco
shared the same fate, for in any question
Ike that. If the men were divided the
women were always unit, and carried
the day.
As we started on this equal basis, being
free from two Of the greatest evils of that
age, and also being determined to establish
really free government, we all went TO
work with good will on our arrival here,
and though it was hard work at first. we
soon had quite comfortable dwellings, and
as the years passed on and we were free
from the strikes and troubles which had
been brought on 10 our own country as a
result Of the workings Of the ignorant
foreigners who flooded our cities. we
steadily increased our possessions and
grew in favor with other nations till we
were acknowledged by all to be free and
independent people.
A. our prosperity increased We provided
greater educational advantages till our in
stitutions of learning are now considered
to be the finest In the world as you already
know.
III were asked 10 day to give reason
for our wonderful advancement in so short a
period, would say unhesitatingly that it
was equal rights for all. which has done
away with the competition which used to
exist between employers and employees
and also the rivalry between the sexes, for
now that women are paid as well as men
and have equal advantages. there Is peace
and Quietness where before there was con
tinual strife and jealousy.
Your afeCtiOnate
GRASpFATHEE.