USA > Maine > The history of Maine > Part 45
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But all these foreign elements constitute but a small percent- age of the population of the State. In 1880, out of a popula- tion of 648,936, there were but 58,883 of foreign birth. While the State has profited little from immigration, it has suffered much from the emigration of its sons and daughters to other States of the Union. This began early in the century, when " the Ohio fever" carried off thousands, painfully traveling on the long wagon route to the fertile lands beyond the Allegha- nies. Later, the building of railroads, opening to settlement the prairies of the farther West, induced a large emigration from the State. The discovery of gold in California swept away thousands more. The manufacturing industries of neighbor- ing States, notably Massachusetts, offered employment to the rising generation, who found no inducement to remain upon the home farm. In 1880, no less than 68,226 of the sons and daughters of Maine were living in Massachusetts. They were to be found in every State and Territory of the Union. The census showed that there were living in that year 745,272
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persons of Maine birth, only 563,015 of whom were residing in the State. The large number of 182,257 men, women and children had gone out from her borders to make their homes in other States. She had been bereft of nearly a quarter of her native population. And these were of her best. It requires energy and enterprise to push out into new lands and begin the world anew. Only men and women of moral, as well as physi- cal stamina, have the spirit to engage in such an undertaking.
This outpouring of her population was not so much due to the fact that Maine had no resources open to her people as to the restlessness engendered by the opening of a vast continent of boundless resources. The enterprising spirit of the men and women of Maine, born of her rigorous climate, and the educating influences of her institutions, carried them into new fields of effort promising large returns. What Maine has lost, has been gained by the country at large. Everywhere the sons and daughters of Maine are found in the forefront of useful endeavor. Throughout the West they have planted the insti- tutions of New England; the church and the school follow in their footsteps. On the shores of the Pacific they have had a large share in laying the foundations of great and prosperous States. In the South they are engaged in educating the eman- cipated slaves and their offspring, and in introducing those manufacturing industries which are to give new life to the Southern people.
In 1790, at the taking of the first census, the population of Maine was not quite one hundred thousand. It increased rapidly during the early decades of the present century, and in 1840 had run up to a little rising five hundred thousand, having thus multiplied itself by five during the half-century. From 1840 to 1860, the increase was comparatively small, the popu- lation at the latter date being 628,279. During the decade of the civil war it fell off to 626,915 in 1870. The suppression of the rebellion brought a turn of the tide, and the census of 1880 gave the State six hundred forty-eight thousand nine hundred thirty-six inhabitants. During the last decade the increase has been in a larger ratio; the census of 1890 show- ing a population of six hundred sixty-one thousand eighty-six. Emigration from the State is still going on, but to a less extent than formerly, and it is believed that the new enterprises open- ing in Maine, consequent on the running of railroads through
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her forest counties, and the development of resources as yet untouched, will in the future give her people adequate employ. ment at home.
It remains only to mention the fragments of the aboriginal stock still lingering in the State. The tribes with which the early settlers so long waged war, as narrated in previous chap- ters of this work, decimated by the sanguinary strife, and driven to the St. Francis, have left behind but two small bodies known as the Passamaquoddies and the Penobscots. Together they number but about one thousand. The former have their abode in villages at Pleasant Point and Peter Dana's Point; the latter dwell on an island in the Penobscot, opposite the village of- Oldtown, known as Indian Oldtown. There they have a considerable village, and live in comfortable houses, with a church and a resident priest; for they have adhered. to the Catholic faith taught their ancestors by the French priests of Canada. They have attained to some degree of civilization, cultivate the soil to some extent, the women engaging in the aboriginal industry of basket-making, while the young men find employment in river-driving and other pursuits. They retain something of their tribal relation, annually electing a governor and lieutenant-governor, and they send delegates to the Legis- lature of the State. There have been set apart to them certain islands in the Penobscot, and the State pays them annuities and appoints agents to look after their welfare. They do not seem to be either increasing or diminishing to any great extent. There is French blood in the veins of many of them, thus uniting in themselves the two races whose raids upon the early settlers were the cause of so much misery to all parties.
These tribes belong to the Abenaki branch of the Algonquin family of Indians, which ranged from Labrador to the far South. They possessed in common the traditions of a grand mythology, some fragments of which have been gathered by Charles G. Leland from the lips of aged members of the Passa- maquoddy and Penobscot tribes, and published in his work on " The Algonquin Legends of New England." These legends have the form of poems and fairy tales, and display much imaginative power. They have come down as traditions from ancient times, and though much of their lore is lost, much ret remains in the memories of the older members of the tribes. Mr. Leland has done good service in rescuing from oblivion
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these fragments of an ancient mythology, which show the native tribes of Maine to have possessed a literature of unsus- pected richness; and he well remarks that "when the last Indian shall be in his grave, those who come after us will ask in wonder, why we had no curiosity as to the romance of our country, and so much as to that of every other land on earth." When the last Indian shall have departed, every scrap of in- formation relative to them will be eagerly investigated.
January 1st, 1892, the Penobscot tribe numbered three hun- dred and eighty-six, an increase of nine over 1890, the first time in a score of years that the yearly enumeration has not shown a decrease from the preceding year.
CHAPTER XXXI.
MORALS AND RELIGION.
Morals of Early Settlers - Order Introduced by Massachusetts - Intemper- ance - Washingtonian Movement - Prohibition of Liquor Traffic - Riot in Portland - Repeal of the Law - Re-enacted in 1858-Sustained by the People - Prohibition put into the Constitution - Good Results of the Law - Maine not Settled Through Religious Impulse - Catholics and Episcopalians Failed to Obtain a Controlling Foothold-Puritan Worship Introduced by Massachusetts -- The Standing Order - Struggles of Other Denominations to Escape from Taxation- All Placed on an Equality by the Constitution of 1820 - Religious Denominations in the State.
T THE early settlers of Maine were of good English stock. Among them were men of character and ability who sought to lay deep the foundations of an orderly state of society. But the misfortune of the province was that for the greater part of the first century of its existence it lacked a stable form of government. The multiplication of grants, often overlapping each other, brought about disputes as to jurisdiction, and forms of government were set up only to be quickly over- thrown. The proprietors of the soil did not reside upon their domain, and their attempts to set up the complicated machin- ery of a feudal state of society utterly failed. Left to their own devices, with only spasmodic attempts to establish courts for the trial of offenders, it is not surprising that the inhabi- tants fell into a state of disorder, or that morals were at a low ebb. Little provision was made for the establishment of the institutions of religion, and none whatever for the education of the rising generation. Wearied with the strife of con- tending grantors, and finding protection from the savage foe only from Massachusetts, the settlers, though at first resisting, were glad in the end to accept the jurisdiction of that colony. With it came a stable and orderly form of government; with it came schools and churches, and in the end an improved state of morals. The disorderly element was brought under control, and Puritan institutions gave a new tone to society.
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In 1677 Massachusetts purchased of the heirs of Sir Ferdi- nando Gorges his grant of the territory extending from the Piscataqua to the Kennebec, but it was not until 1716 that she came into possession of the whole territory now included in the State of Maine. The province was then for the first time united under one form of government. A new order of society arose. The inhabitants were freed from the vexatious exac. tions of the feudal system. Towns were organized distinct from the feudal boroughs of the original proprietors. For a century following order reigned under the rule of Massachu- setts, and few offences were committed against the welfare of society. Capital crimes were rare, and were promptly punished. If of late years crimes of this character have increased in a greater ratio to the number of inhabitants, the fact is largely due to the emigration from the State of a vast number of the better class of its people, leaving the disorderly element in undue proportion to the whole number of inhabitants.
As early as 1835, a movement was begun for the establish- ment of humane and reformatory institutions, resulting in the erection of an asylum for the insane at Augusta, where the unfortunates who had formerly been left to wander at large, or, when violent, were confined in almshouses, were gathered and subjected to curative influences. The buildings have been twice enlarged and more room is still needed. The number of inmates in 1892 was eight hundred and fifty ; four hundred and seventy- five men and three hundred and seventy-five women. Statistics showed, however, that the number of insane in the State, in proportion to population, was less than in any of the other New England States. A Reform School for boys was established in Cape Elizabeth about 1850, which has resulted in saving many neglected boys from vicious courses. The number of inmates, December 1, 1891, was ninety-three, and the whole number received into the institution since it was opened is one thousand nine hundred and eighty-three. In 1872 an In- dustrial School for Girls was opened in Hallowell, which has done a humane work in training for usefulness young girls who would otherwise have gone astray. The number of inmates, December 1, 1891, was sixty-five ; whole number since opened three hundred and forty-three. The Maine General Hospital was opened in Portland, 1874, completed, 1892, has a number of free beds, and affords the best surgical and medical treatment.
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One prolific source of vice and crime existed from the earliest times in the drinking habits of the people. During the colonial period rum was the common beverage, often taken hot in the form of flip. As other spirituous liquors were introduced they were indulged in on all occasions; at marriages and at funerals, at all social gatherings, and on every public occasion. They formed a large part of the stock of every grocer, and of every country store, and every tavern had its bar-room where gathered all the idlers and tipplers of the neighborhood. A general prevalence of intemperance, with all its numerous train of evils, was the result. Every town had its share of drunkards who neglected their farms, abused their families, and were ultimately reduced to poverty. On every holiday the streets were filled with reeling men, and drunken rows made the night hideous. The evil was confined to no class of society. The high as well as the low, the rich as well as the poor, fell victims to the insidious habit, and the brightest and most promising young men of the community were destroyed, body and soul, by it. Vice and crime were promoted by it, and a general demoralization fell upon society.
The few sober men remaining saw the need of reform, and in the early part of the present century societies for the suppres- sion of intemperance were formed. But they did not advocate total abstinence, and therefore accomplished but little good. Moderation in the use of spirituous liquors was thought to be the safe rule, and the toast was, "here's to use and not abuse." But the abuse grew with the use, and at last, in 1833, the Massachusetts Society took its stand upon a pledge of total abstinence.
Relief from the evil came at last from the victims of it. The drunkards themselves were awakened to a sense of their condi- tion, and in 1840, the Washingtonian movement, originating among a number of hard drinkers in the city of Baltimore, swept over the land like a purifying flood. The pathos of John H. W. Hawkins and the dramatic eloquence of John B. Gough carried all before them. They pictured the evils they had themselves endured, and their appeals came home to the bosom of every intemperate man.
In Maine the movement found a ready reception. "Experi- ence " meetings were everywhere held, the pledge of total absti- nence was offered and taken by multitudes, and Washingtonian
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Societies were formed in every village and hamlet. Thousands were turned to a sober life, and a general reformation took place in the habits of society. Decanters became a drug in the market, no longer finding sale, and the intoxicating cup was banished from social gatherings.
Temperance organizations sprang up, and everywhere flour- ished. "The Sons of Temperance," organized in 1842, had a large membership in Maine, as did also the Independent Order of Rechabites. The Cadets of Temperance followed in 1845, the Temperance Watchmen in 1849, and later the Good Templars, and the Reform Clubs.
Up to the time of the Washingtonian movement there had been a pretence of regulating by license the traffic in intoxicat- ing liquors, but the sale was practically free. As the reform went on respectable dealers gave up the sale of liquors, but not a few persisted in the traffic, and even endeavored to entice back their former customers. This led to remonstrance, and the application of that moral suasion which was the distinctive feature of the Washingtonian movement. But these men were impervious to appeal, and continued the sale to the destruction of many reformed men. Some of the reformers now saw the necessity of restraining the traffic by law, while others were reluctant to resort to what they considered "force measures." This led to a temporary division in the ranks of the temperance men, but the necessity of the case in the end united all in a demand for the protection of law, as a hold-fast for that which had been gained. The prohibition of the liquor traffic had been advocated as early as 1837, by Gen. James Appleton of Portland, and in 1844 and 1845 the Legislature was peti- tioned for the enactment of a prohibitory law, but the prayer was not granted until 1846, when a law was enacted prohibit- ing the sale of alcoholic liquors, except for medicinal and mechanical purposes. This was a new feature in legislation, the beginning of the prohibition movement which has since made "the Maine Law" famous. But the teeth of the law were not sharp enough; its penalties did not close the dram shops. The movement, however, was onward. The people had been enlightened, as never before, as to the evils of indul- gence in strong drink, and the necessity of at least restraining the traffic in them. The Supreme Court of the United States decided that prohibition was constitutional, and in 1851 the
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temperance men in the Legislature were strong enough to enact the first effective prohibitory law, and it was signed by Gov- ernor Hubbard. He was a physician and knew what were the effects upon the system of an indulgence in strong drinks. The framing of the law was procured by Neal Dow of Portland, and he both at home and abroad, became its zealous advocate and defender, his name being indissolubly associated with the prohibitive principle.
The law at once put a check upon the sale of intoxicating liquors ; the dram shops were closed. But there was strong opposition to its enforcement, and it split the Democratic party, which had re-nominated Governor Hubbard. Under the majority law he failed of an election by the people, and the Legislature made.choice of William G. Crosby, a Whig.
The sale of liquors now fell into the hands of a disreputable class of men, who resorted to evasions of the law, necessitating amendments in 1853 and in 1855. One feature of it was a provision allowing the establishment of city or town agencies for the sale of liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes. Under this provision, in the spring of 1855, Neal Dow, who had now become mayor of the city of Portland, as chairman of a committee appointed by the Board of Aldermen for the pur- pose, purchased a quantity of liquors and had them invoiced to " The City Agency of Portland," which invoice was accepted by the aldermen. The liquors were stored in the basement of City Hall, in Market Square, where the Agency was to be opened. The opponents of the law, and the personal enemies of Dow, made such by his zealous denunciation of dram-selling, and all who supported it, seized the occasion to catch him on the hip by circulating a statement that he had engaged in the liquor business himself, in violation of the law of the State. Inflammatory articles appeared in the press, and it was deter- mined to seize the liquors as being in his possession. To pre- vent this the aldermen met to transfer the liquors to the city as had been intended, but before this could be accomplished, a warrant was put into the hands of Deputy Marshal Ring, who under it took possession of the liquors, but did not remove them from the building, much to the disappointment of a crowd which had gathered about it.
These proceedings caused much excitement throughout the city, and in the evening -- June 2, 1855-a crowd gathered
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about the building, some of whom had come with the evident intention of destroying the liquors, while others were there only as lookers-on, though mostly sympathizing with the mob. The city marshal, with six or eight of the police, armed with pistols, entered the room where the liquors were stored. The mob began by throwing stones against the doors and windows. The marshal warned them to desist upon peril of their lives. They continued their assaults, and were ordered to disperse by the sheriff of the county, and also by the mayor. The riot act was read, and several arrests were made of persons in the crowd, some of whom were rescued by the mob, which now became more determined, and threw a great number of stones, and also discharged a pistol or musket at the police.
A ring-leader now appeared, who denounced the police as cowards who dared not fire, harangued the mob, and led them in a violent rush for the door, which, however, proved too strong for them. The police now fired over the heads of the mob, which checked them for a moment, but they soon rallied again. By this time the militia had been called out, and part of the company of Light Guards took a position in front of the door, when the mob began to pelt them with stones, and several of the soldiers were severely injured. An order to fire was not executed, and the company finally returned to their armory. An alarm of fire was raised with a view of diverting the rioters, but it only resulted in increasing the crowd about the building.
The Rifle Guards were now called upon, and with Mayor Dow and Aldermen Carleton and Brooks (the liquor committee appointed by the Board of Aldermen), at their head, marched into the room, through a door opposite to that which the mob was assaulting. Orders were given to fire through the door in squads of four. It was executed, and John Robbins of Deer Isle, second mate of a vessel in the harbor, who at the moment was making an assault upon the door, was killed, and ten or twelve persons were wounded. The mob now dispersed, and the authorities were left in quiet possession of the room.
Great excitement ensued throughout the community. Mayor Dow was severely censured for ordering the militia to fire upon the mob. A public meeting was held at which his action was denounced, and a resolution was passed requesting him to resign his office. An inquest on the body of Robbins was held,
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the jury in their verdict declaring that he was "shot through the body, by some person unknown to the inquest, acting under the authority and order of the mayor and aldermen of Port- land, in defence of the city property from the ravages of an excited mob, unlawfully congregated for that purpose near the City Hall, of which he, the said John Robbins, was proved to be one." The prosecution of Mayor Dow for alleged violation of the liquor law was shown to be evidently malicious, and he was acquitted. At his suggestion a committee of citizens was appointed by the Board of Aldermen to investigate the matter, which committee sustained his action. On the other hand, a committee appointed at the meeting of citizens called for a second inquest, the jury being composed of citizens well known to be opposed to Mr. Dow. Their verdict was "that the said John Robbins came to his death by and through the agency of the said Neal Dow, mayor of the city of Portland, in the manner and by the means aforesaid, and in consequence of the rash and illegal order to fire, given as aforesaid, by the said Neal Dow, to the said military company called the Rifle Guards, and that the homicide of the said John Robbins, by the said Neal Dow, in the manner and by the means aforesaid, was and is without any legal justification or excuse."
The killing of Robbins was seized upon as party capital by the opponents of the law, and in the ensuing State election a majority of members opposed to prohibition was elected to the Legislature, and the prohibitory law was repealed, and a license law, intended to be stringent, was substituted. But it did not restrain the traffic, and under it liquors were freely sold. The friends of prohibition rallied, and in 1857 elected a Legislature which in March of the following year enacted a prohibitory law, with provision that it should be submitted to the people. It was approved by a large majority, and went into effect July 15, 1858. During the thirty years that have since elapsed, it has been many times amended and strengthened to meet the evasions practiced by those who for gain engaged in the sur- reptitious sale of liquors. The relation which political parties have sustained to it has been governed by public opinion. The first effective prohibitory law was signed by a Democratic governor of the State. It was re-enacted in 1857 by a Repub- lican Legislature. The Democratic party, though comprising many opponents of the law, has since refrained from taking
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ground against it. The Republican party has generally sus- tained it, though not unanimous in its support. The people as a whole, disregarding party lines, have made it the settled policy of the State. In 1884, by popular vote, they put the prohibitive principle into the Constitution of the State, and that instrument now prohibits forever the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal or mechanical purposes and the arts. This amendment went into effect on the first Wednesday of January, 1885.
During the third of a century in which the prohibitory law has been in force in Maine, there has been a great reform in the drinking habits of the people, and consequent improvement in morals and the general well-being of the community. The saloon element has been suppressed. In the cities and larger towns the liquor traffic has been driven into holes and corners, and temptation largely removed from the path of the young. The sale has not been entirely suppressed, but there are no splendid bar-rooms in Maine. In the country towns, as a rule, liquors are no longer sold, and drunkenness is rare. In some portions of the State the law is but laxly enforced, but even there it is held over the dealers in terrorem, and has a restrain- ing effect. Its efficacy, like that of all laws, depends upon public opinion. Where it is sustained by the sentiment of the community it is most beneficial in its results. Backed by the reformatory efforts of temperance organizations it has made sobriety the rule where once intemperance greatly prevailed. Scientific instruction in the evil effects of alcoholic beverages has been introduced in the public schools, thus throwing a safe- guard around the rising generation.
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