Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-17

The "reminiscences Of Neal Dow
Reccllections Of Eighty Years; with
illustrations The Evening Express
Publishing Company, Portland, Maine.
The autobiography CT Neal Dow
could not be otherwise than work OF
absorbing interest, not only to the
people Of his own State, but to the
friends OF temperance everywhere.
Even those who We're not in sympathy
with his advanced views upon the sup
preston CT the liquor traffic cannot
fail to admire the tenacious courage
and persistent energy with which ne
fought, through the varied activities
of long and busy life, the battles or
the great cause in which he was one
OF the earliest TO enlist, and for many
years it's most distinguished leader.
The life of Neal Dow is peculiarly
rich in materials for a biography. /.
was crowded with events of nlomentous
importance-far reaching in their re-
suits. 1t was radiant in influences for
good that extended far beyond the nar-
row limits Of his own city and state,
and became almost world-wide in their
scope. Though the great organizer and
leader Of temperance reform, in the
fulness OF years, has passed from
earth. his works live after him and
will constitute his most enduring mon
ument.
II was indeed fortunate that, yield
ing reluctantly to the opportunities CT
his friends. General Dow was induced
in his closing years, to put in form for
permanent preservation the recollec-
tons of his long and active life, cover
ing the period of four score
years. Such book constitutes most
important contribution to biographical
and historical literature for so closely
was his life associated with the great
movement in which he was. for so
many years. an honored leader. that
the story of the one necessarily in
cludes the other.
The autobiography of General Dow is
written with charming directness
and frankness. 1t has all the clearness
and force that was always charaa-
teristic of all his utterances. whether
written or spoken. He was a good
fighter. but while he knew how to give
and take hard blows, he was a man of
broad and generous spirit. This fact
is constantly forced upon the atten-
ton OF the reader of his autobiography.
for while the great questions witt:
which he was so long identified are
forcefully discussed, and while all the
facts pertaining to them are fully pre-
scented. there is not a line, not word
that is Set down in bitterness. 1t is
evident that if General Dow had re-
sentiments he was not a man to cherish
them. Indeed we can but marvel at
the broad tolerance-the generous
charity that left him in the twilight of
a serene old age, singularly free from
the prejudiceS and animosities, that so
often are accumulated through a long
life to darken and embitter it's closing
years.
The story of his life embodies the in
teresting story of the rise and growth
of the temperance movement in Maine.
1t is a book that should be in every
home in our State. 1t is full of in
spiration. We confess that having
once started in with it, we found it ut
terly impossible to lay it aside until the
last chapter was finished. and such we
believe will be the experience of every
reader who opens it's covers. The
typoSIdpHlGdi appearance vi 1He Woih
is certainly credit to the publishers.
Its 769 pages are printed in large, clear
type upon fine quality of paper, and
are substantially bound in an excellent
quality of cloth. The illustrations of
the book are numerous, and all of them
exceedingly creditable.
We feel confident that this fine work
will meet with the large sale it so
justly merits.