Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-10
The wooden stores were general,

.
| found here an active. enterprising,
economical. community, with a good
share of public spirit and strong at
taehment to the town. and the women
were the fit companions of the men, 1t
was an intelligent business community
rather than a literary one While it had
a good number of classically educated
men such as Rev. DIR. Tappan, the lead
ing clergyman, who was a cultivated
scholar. and the pastor of the largest
and oldest visible church in the town;
Judge Weston of the supreme judicial
court. who was learned in the law, and
soon afterwards chief justice; Judge
Bridge, a classmate OF John Quincy
Adams at Harvard, and president of the
Old Augusta bank that never suspended
Judge Henry w. Fuller, a classmate and
friend of Webster at Dartmouth a schol-
ar ana man of enterprise. it had such a
hummer OF strong self-trained business
men that they gave the predominant tone
10 the society of the town Reuel Will
Hams who possessed the qualities of a
statesman as well as of a public spirited
business man. had recently accom-
plished so much for the interest of the
town that he stood pre-eminent for in
Huence and power; Judge Daniel Conv
was then living. lie was peculiar far
slgnted, SagaciouS man, and the pioneer
of female education in the State
KEY Daniel Stone. the first settled min
lster, General Henry Sewall. an officer in
the army of the Revolution. and Adm
tant General Samuel Cony, the father of
Governor Cony. were also living and
mingling in society
The bar was an able one Amongst the
business men were such men as Green
wood g Child. Thomas w. Smith and
Allen Lambard. The trade extended into
what is now Franklin county, and towns
in Oxford
Many of our traders bought their goods
IN boston' and brought them here in
schooners. The winters stock had to be
n al
Hence they bought on six months credit
and sold largely on credit Individual in
dobtedness was large but towns seldom
ran into debt. Taxes were light. The
oFate: county and town tax of Augusta
WAS So, 495.
1t was obvious that the population n.
q whole was above the average for intel
llSence and enterprise and that it had
n ,,,,, men OF statesmanike sagacity ana
pubic spirit. who knew how to secure
friends and seize the favorable oppor-
lunlties, and Were ever ready to give tle,
time, effort and means for the benefit OF
the town.
The, leading men generally, whether
church members or not gave the infIu-
ence of their example in favor of Chris
tianity as the firmest basis of social or
der and the highest interests of society.
oy attending church on the Lords day:
ana the women Were their equals IN this
respect, as well as in Intelligence culture.
ana every benevolent work
Nth, WITH such a population, with light
burdens OF taxation and systematic
municipal and individual economy for
many years Augusta continued to ad.
vance in numbers, wealth and general
prosperity, without any serious interrup-
llon save the loss of much of the bust
ness of the towns, situate west of tn,
parallel railroad few miles west OF
ours (Which should have been preventot
until it has reached its present condi-
ton, having business street unstlr
passed in the excellence of its blocks o!
brick stores by any city of its size. and
its large number of beautiful privat,
residences on streets shaded by tho
graceful elm and its magnificent public
buildings and churches, making it one OF
country.
In this connection, it may be interesting
to ask How came Augusta by the first
bridge over the. Kennebec river that made
orr town the head of sloop navigation?
How came we by the county seat anG
court house? the United States Arsenal
the state Capitol and State House: the
hospital for the insane; the railroad; thc
dam and watcrpower, and the factory
pulp mill and other industries connected
Herewith; the home for aged women
ing; the post office; the adueducts and
gas and electric lights: the street rail
road; the large printing establishments
that give employment to SO many and
the number of excellent church edificcs
ard other public buildings? Whence
come they? They are not of spontaneous
growth. They did not spring out OF the
ground of their own accord They did
not come and offer themselves TO Il peo-
PIE sitting still, and waiting for some
thing TO turn up.
Are they not most of them the fruit
Of intelligent foresight public spirited
enterprise and patriotic loyalty To the
town? Wherever they are. the lesson
should not be forgotten by those on
whom the future of the city now rests
But the enterprise of Augusta does not
stop here.
Besides taking care of herself she has
been making choice contributions of her
sons and daughters to engage in develop
ing the vast resources of the great north
west. and aid in building up that and
other parts OF the Union. carrying with
them New England industry. persever-
ance and love of civil and religious lib
erty.
Although they have left US. she regards
them as her children still. with all the
fcrVor of maternal affection,
She rejoees in their prosperity and the
GOOD reputation they uniformly sustain.
When they come to visit her she comes
Il most cordial welcome.
We are honored today by the presence
of distinguished native of Augusta, a
descendant from three of its eminent.
ancient families. who has kindly CON
scented to be our orator on this occasion.
AS chief justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States. he worthily pre-
sides over the highest judicial tribunal in
the civilized world. Il court whose juris-
diction is so broad. it decides between
sovereignties. the sovereign United States
and the respective sovereign states and
determines the power of each.
As lovers of the Union. we rejoice to
find from his judicial career that he
stands firmly by the Constitution on
which the Union rests. and regards his
oath to support it an imperative obliga-
ton to interpret it in accordance with
the obvious meaning of its language and
the known intention of its trainers; and
that he will not usurp the power to
change it by construction, and thereby
break down the sole barrier between n
government of powers, limited by that
instrument and one of unlimited, dgspotic
power. The Union is safe so long ~ such
loyalty TO the Constitution controls Ehis
court. 49,
I may be permitted to say in the pres
encc of our distinguished guest, that we
feel in him special interest. This is
the townof his nativity and Augusta shares
in his honors. His character and reputa-
ton are dear to us. He commenced his
professional career as the attorney of our
city before he left for the West. We fol-
lowed his history there and were proud
Of his success at the bar. and his emf
ncnce as Il citizen. We reioiced at his
elevation TO the high position he now
gracefully fills.
Addressing the chief justice. Mr.. Brad
bury continued Il feel, sir. that |
should fail in my duty if kaonaitted to
thank you--to give you the hftteTthanks
of all our citizens for conserAmg amidst
the pressure of official duties, to take
upon yourself the additional burden of
coming here and addressing us on this
occasion With grateful appreciation