Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-11
Editors Letter Box
Names Opportunity.
Augusta. Me, Jan. ., 1918.

Augusta, Me, jan ., 1918.
Editor kennebec Journal:
I am willing to tolerate being
classed as a pessimist if, 10y a frank
expression of my honest opinion, |
could add note Of warning to those
who would suffer from the conse-
quences.
These are days when we have little
time or inclination to reflect upon the
past. The people of Maine are not and
never have been found wanting IN
their patriotic duty to their country.
Our one great purpose before us is the
adjustment Of the terrible wrongs ina;
have been inflicted upon humanity
through greed and love of power.
These injustices go back to the begin
ming of history. They are enthroned
in the heart OF man and must be up
rooted before universal peace can DC
obtained. All this can not be az
complished in our time. Peace and
cooperation between nations Will he
realized within our day, if we remain
steadfast and loyal to our govern
ment. We need have no fear of the
consequences if we do our part and
trust the wise leaders at the helm.
Loyalty supporting the war is not our
whole duty. Our own social and flnan-
cial interest must be looked after at
home. We have no fear of the stahl-
ity of our government or the result OF
the world war. 1t is foregone con-
cluson because the dcstinies of man
are going forward not backward. Look
ing from our own standpoint we are
lead to ask where are we at?' We
are inclined to look forward, not back
ward, and vet the past and future are
very closely interviewer. We are now
seeing the prophecies Of two thousand
Years ago being fulfilled. and we are
only able to measure our own adj
yancement by the records of the past.
The war we are fighting todaY il not
SO unlike the war of 81 IN which our
fathers fought. That war which shook
our continent from coast to coast was
only the result of greed and desire
to rule in their own selfish way rather
than compromise and cooperate. The
Civil War was great drain upon the
resources of Maine. Her young mon
we're at the front and many of them
never returned Those at home were
heartbroken and discouraged. The
cloud of uncertainty was always over
them.
Maine. like ether states. took many
backward steps from which she was
long time recovering. At the close or
the war when her sons came Struggling
home TO the farms and cities they
found little activity. especially III rural
life. They had little or no means TO
operate with the result that tho am
EitiOuS sought new fields in the great
western country where life was more
Of venture and promising. Those
less rowing and ambitious, remained
east and fell into the rut of the Older
settlers and 50 years haven't removed
them. They are still plodding, only
grown self-wise and prejudced against
aggressive ideas and methods. They
have been satisfied to see western COM
netition gradually undermine their en-
terprises. This has been more EceniJ
felt in the farming sections where the
competition was sharper at frs: as the
great resources Of the West were
started from the soil mines and for
ests. Our cities have not suffered as
severely as the rural sections Through
New England's strong representation
in Congress, manufacturing has re-
ceived a subsidy fpaid by the people
instead of the government) in the way
Of a high tariff. The farmer has been
left to go 1t alone only to be bled to
help build cities and increase middle
men and Office holders. The western
country has always held out induce
ment to eastern brains and money
and they have gotten both and as
eastern and western men have come
together they have interchanged ideas
resulting in greater DEVELOPMENT.
There has been freedom Of thought
and expression. The western producer
has in the past been satisfied to ship
his products to the East at less cost
than we could produce them. This
has continued until the profits from us
and foreign markets have built grea,
cities with large manufactures. great
railroad systems. etc. They are now
using large part of their own pro-
duction at home. The surplus thew
ship to us and other places at exorbi-
tant prices. There is greatly In
tContinusd on Pare Z. Column a.