Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-16

decided to erect once for all a republic
to be founded upon the right of man.
a century and three quarters Of time
had passed away. 1t was period IN
the worlds history that was sur
charged with momentous events
epochs in the worlds tremendous
struggle between the freedom of man
and despotism.
"An this was in a measure related 10
the history of your river and in study
ing it you learn why men came here
from across the Atlantic to subdue a
wilderness and replace 1t with home.
fortresses and fertile fields. SUCH
brave spirits as Samuel Hinckley
whom we honor today. And 1t was on
Maine soil that for long time ragged
the conflict between the Anglo Saxon
and the Latin for supremacy OF North
America. And the latter made his last
aggressive offense in Maine only few
miles from here at Old Point, Nor
ridgewock.
Yes. a few miles up your river. on
bright August day in 1924, occurred
the Ralle tragedy. which from my
viewpoint will ever remain dark spot
on the page Of history for the English
man in that struggle.
but it is for you to determine and
consider for yourself as you pursue this
rich historical research. Greater men
and more profound historians than
have studied and arrived at opposite
conclusions. But Ralle was at least on
disputed territory and was placed here
by the government OF France.
And this study will undoubtedly
convince you that since Francis Park
man, that wizard of American history,
charmed all the world with vivid pen
pictures the Americans have since
viewed the Jesuits Of North America
with a different conception.
| And through the nlists Of the past
you will see them here on your river,
this advance guard of civilization so
strange and remarkable. so unlike any
that have gone before.
by the side of the soldier with
sword and musket that France had
sent forth to subdue a new world and
erect a new France marched the
valiant defenders Of the Faith with
Crucinx and prayer book, full Of the
burning fires of religious zeal and the
grim determination to rescue from the
I BONUS VI SSdldu u "hOtO SoAASAiASAAS ~
savages. And as you delve into the
history Of your river you become more
and more interested in this splendid
dream of the Frenchman in the 18TH
century to build a new France IN
America. And this will open up to you
much about ancient Arcadia. hrs'
called Cadia, then La Cadia, and later
Arcadia. It's history dates from the
landing Of de Monts at Court Royal ir
1904, and it originally embraced all OF
what is now Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick and part Of what IL nov
the State of Maine. And you will
probably like to know just what par
of this State was formerly embraced
| by ancient Arcadia. So would l. l an
unable to inform you. 1t is problem
! that for a century and half diplomats
and historians have been unable tt
solve among themselves. But one day
however, a brave Englishman. Gen
Wolfe. settled 1t on the Plains of Abra
/ ham. and lost his life in doing so. But
his victory passed the title forever o.
New France and Arcadia from France
! to England. Previous to this, Arcadis
| has several times passed back ane
forth by conquest and treaty between
these two governments. The English
claimed that its westerly line was thu
River ST. Croix and the French as.
serted that it was your river. So thu
title to all of this territory between
these two rivers was in dispute from
| the earliest times to the killing Of
Ralle and the destruction of his mis-
sion at Norridgewock. This uncertain
and unfortunate condition made Maine
and all this Kennebec settlement line
of blood and fire.
1.-THE numerous forts erected along
your river is a story by itself worthy
of your best efforts in historical re.
I search. They begin with the first
fertilization at Pemaquid in 1907
Among them erected at different points
and at various times for two centuries
were forts called Charles, William
Henry, Richmond, st. George. Shirley
Halifax and Weston.
And your river saw a band of brave
men in an attempt to break the AFRO
CANT Britain's rule on American soil
sail up Its waters in a fleet of boats
and batteaux indulging in high hopes OF
victorious conquest. 1t was an am
bilious scheme conceived by Washing
ton and Arnold. and did not deserve
the inglorious fate which befell it. AnC
it saw part of them return to theil
homes saddened by defeat Many met
death and all endured awful sufferings
and escaped starvation by killing theil
dogs and boiling their moccasins.
Had they followed the Kennebec
instead of the treacherous waters Of
Dead River the result might have sent
JOY instead of sorrow to the hearts OF
the American patriots of 1775 and the
history of North America might have
! been changed.
along your river TODAY are thriving
towns and prosperous cities. They are
the fruition of the grim efforts Of many
| nanora tions of men and women whose