Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-04-12
Names Past and Future.

(From Professor x. j. Sprague's paper on
Names Centennial, before the State Board OF
Trade)
The 90 years voyage of the good ship
Maine has been a pretty stormy ana
tempestuous one. Other lines have run
in heavy competition with her. During
the last half century hundred OF thou
sands of her crew have deserted to sail
under flags of other states, aud scores OF
millions of her cargo has been taken
away 10 capitalize the progress OF other
commonwealth But the departure OF
her sons and daughters has been not on
account of Names weakness but be
cause of their high ambition and strength
of character 10 which every other land
will testify; and whether they flourish
under southern palm or northern pine,
Maine wishes them virile life, abundant
wealth and Godspeed; and she asks only
that they realize the ideals and perfect
the character for which the only state
stands.
Against all of these head winds and
back currents the good ship has kept
steadily on her course, increasing in
wealth, population and virtue, and
building Institutions which are becom-
ing the admiration of all her neighbors.
Only the staunchest racial stock and
most virile blood could stand the strain
of our half century of migration OF men
and capital and still make constant
progress.
But, if mistake not the drift of the
modern currents of our economic life,
the old state has beaten out into the
trade winds of high agricultural prices,
which will blow steadily and with in
creasing power forever. The great West
is now appropriated and is already rear
ing much of its own young blood, and
the stream of Names ambitious youths
towards the setting sun must soon slack
en-, il il has not already done so. On
the other hand the rich markets of the
industrial east are reckoning with gold
en- fingers. as never before, to every
breeze Of Maine corn that waves its silk
en- treSses in the summer breeze, and
bids for every apple that turns a red
cheek to the autumn sun. Land values
will steadily rise and our children find
more and more of opportunity within
the state of the rising sun.
Maine will always be a land of whole
homes, comfort and happy living. She
will probably never be burdened with
great cities with their degenerating in
fluences on physique and morals; her
clear skies will never be blackened by
the smoke of smutty industrial centers,
for the white foaming coal of her plung-
ing rivers will be smoke or dust or
fumes, as strong as the sun and as last
ing as the hills. A thousand years after
the mines of Ohio have become exhaust
ed and her industrial towns have crum-
bled into dust, the foaming rivers of
Maine will still be grinding, planning,
weaving, sewing, and doing he work for
her thriving millions of population.
Thank Heaven these powers cannot well
be concentrated so as give US the prob
lens of congested population and human
degeneracy, but they must be scattered
throughout the commonwealth accord
ing TO natures own plan.
When the resources of the state shall
be developed and devoted by just gov
eminent TO the welfare of her people,
Maine will offer unexcelled conditions
f9r happy population. Along with
greater economic development we will
always have the stimulation and grand
eur of the sea coast; the freedom and
sports of the forest, the enchantment
and beauty of the lakes, combined with
a healthful climate and crystalline at
mosphere. Maine will also always be
the summer girl of millions and the
winter beau of thousands, the great play
ground of the eastern coast.