Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-03
LETTING THE LIGHT so SHINE

Have Maine people an inheritance
of great promise? The visitor tells
them they have; inheritance unsur-
passed.
Are Maine people hesitating to ad-
nit it. to think about it, to talk about
1t, to plan for it, to resolve for it.
are they determined to make the
best Of it?
Such an impression has got abroad,
possibly because Of difiidence on the
part Of Maine folks. who are not
given to Dragging about their pos
sessions.
It must not be thought that we
are SO stupid as not to see and have
visions respecting our possessions,
among which the dwellers in other
parts of the country pass the most
delightful months of the year.
No, it is not stupidity. it is not
lack Of sense of beauty. but rather
lack of enthusiasm because we have
not seen the way to give expression
to that which we know. appreciate
and love; because we have been so
busy in our conservative ways earn
ing a competence, accommodating
money. which too often we have in
vested away from home where there
has been enthusiasm and ability to
advertise.
It is time that we be letting our
light SO shine that it not only will
serve az q beacon to those seeking
the delightful places Of earth, where
sea, lake and scenic effects, titled
lands, stretches of forest, comfort
able homes and good neighbors in
Vite; where ideals are high, tradi-
lions sound and the climate health
giving; where opportunity waits on
enterprise.
And right here 1t is proposed that
the opportunity shall be recognized.
A way for doing this is being clear
ed. Our Governor has found time
from out his busy life to plan. to
encourage others to plan and his
courage. vision and enthYSiasm are
become contagious.
Let US see, each and all that we
get our share-and make use of it.
All this comes about by reason of
another Of the inspiration meetings.
II so we may term them. inaugurated
by Governor Brewster.
We have had a fruitful campaign
for the purpose Of getting better ac-
quainted with Maine products. There
has been a surprising response from
''all over. Maine people in far-away
California, in Florida. have respond
ed. There have been instances among
these Maine people abroad where
they have contributed money and
effort in advertising Maine among
the winter tourists. showing them
where summer tourists may find that
which they seek.
At home 1t is becoming the fashion
to talk about Maine. Opportunity is
now to be had for pledging ourselves
to loyalty to the State. If we give
that expression we will openly re-
sent such a remark as was overheard
on a train when a customer asked
for a Maine apple and the newsboy
replied: "You wouldn't eat it If you
had it." We will have a chance to
pledge ourselves to write to distant
friends urging them to visit Maine
this summer. Maine people do not
lack for hospitality, but sometimes
lack for the best way in which to
express it,; we are to pledge ourselves
to be hospitable to the visitor and
to endeavor to make his visit so
pleasant he will wish to come again.
We do not always appreciate that
which we have, our homes, our roads,
and the scenic grandeur that to US
may have become common place; we
do not always think of the impress
sion these may make on the strang-
err. whether he comes for the sum
mer or for dwelling place, SO it
will do US good to pledge ourselves
to a cleanup summer, to beautify
communities. to remove disfgure-
ments.
These things we will do If we will
but catch the contagion manifest
among those present at yesterdays
meeting of the Maine Development
Association. Catch that and it may
be assumed we will have Caught
on. And that signifies "a whole
lot.