IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1^1 2.5 2.2 1.25 1.4 1.6 '^ 6" — ► V] ^ /a /: >^ ^^''^ ? Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 V iV LV ^- V— ■• .■^'- ■ J ' .■; .A »»■■■;♦••;■,.. - ^ I'RINTRl) HY O. S. MILT.ir.AN, JR. * ■••iiii J»C ST. JOHN'S, N.F. •*:.. ■ ' . ■ V-f ' U* -^ V :% ICntcrcd according to the Act of the Legislature of Newfoundland, in the year 1899, by I. C. Morris; at the Colonial Secretary's Ofllce. ^^'(3 " (^v?'^' '/•/// THE DAWN I *. », \ s V 5 - OK TIIIv TWENTIETH CENTURY. ClIAITKRI. A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PAST. NOTE. To more fully understand tho subject u{ this pamj^lilet, it will lie necessary to review the past, and als(j to compare the present. In (loin'4 this we sliall Ijc very brief, as readers are already aware of what our past histoiy has been. Krom such well Icnown and scholary writers as llarvey aiid Prowse, they have learned the details of our colonial settlement and extension. These authors have ]">crfornied a royal work for our common country, and have succeeded in rcmovmg from her, the mists and misconceptions of ages. dious V rojccl : f *' grow P.ut le fiisl ^ iadf stil )uring I rii.'iul ai lotnc of )Ut not ourney ransani few wtcl md the Dppositc study th The pioneering of every country has been chicn)^'^'^' "^'■ accomplished by the daring and perseverance of the few.^' ^"^ ^ Some were first in the arduous task, and those who followed*''^"^ ^"^ closely in their steps, had equally up-hill work. Theii^'^"' ^'^' difficulties were many, and their bravery commendable. niany la The history of colonization is in itself a thrilling one Th aud is well deserving the attention of the student ; for ring in r is only by slow and thoughtful research, that we of thiwho un present day can fully comprehend its meaning, or appreciwho, fo ate its worth. With the comforts and convenicncies of thtfoun^l^ closing century around us, we cannot fully understand wha^^^'^rdy n early colonization meant, or wl)at it cost. The leaving o f'nfl'"g home, the embarking in small ships, and then the long t-'^c., tl settling ■9: ..1. rilli /KlllXn/ mi'. I W I'.M il:l II CI-.M 'KV. dioiis v<)y;i'4.< which fallowed, wcic nil nfc.s-^.iry to ll»t- rojccl : l»ul thc\' wtic only liu- In -I. " I'-uikIs" in ihc huKIcr f " j;ro\viiv4 empire-." lint tli'sr wt'K.' not all : llu'v \V( iv '>iil iIk; I)c,uiiinin-^S 1 VJivY. le lir^l st^ ps or our a^jiiiin- nalion.-il iiu.lhcr. l-'ollouini; iL'sc l»)nui \<)y.i;c,s came lIi-' dn ary years of isolation,— iade still more d'eii)', !)ecaii->e o! the lack (^f mail service. )urin^ thi- [naiod ilu- suspi-iioic mu^t have been keen ; for rieiid and lover wnc .ilmost totally lost tv) eai:h other, loine of these had parted with thoughts of early rc-union ; )Ut not many of them ever rt\ali/ed their fuiniment. The ourney was loo nneerlain, and jon^ years were absorbed in ransaciinj; what we of the i)resent tin»e, arcon^plish in a few weeks. (Jreat liritain lias l>een the world's ^'reatest colonizc^r, md the st(jrv of her children as thev launched out into the Dpposite s[)heres f)f colonial heritage, is w(.)rlhy of more Study than we really give to it. In IJritain's colonial exten- s been chicf]\^'^'^» Newfoundland claims first place! She is the first-born ce of the few.^^^'^^ Nation's colonial off-spring, and was the first diadem e who followcd^''^"^ ^^^^ "^"'^ world. With her began tha' -i jlicy of e.xten- work. Thcir^'^"' ^^^ ^^''^'^h her " Mother Empire" has since subdued so mendable. niany lands, and civilized so many peoples. L ihriUing one The out-cry of the New World aroused the spirit of dar- student ; for ling in many breasts in different countries. Among those that we of thtwho undertook the risk, were the West Country fishers; ig, or apprcciwho, following in the discovery of (^abot, made his New- licncies of th«foundland, the scene of their annual operations. These iderstand wlia^iardy men came hither for the sole pur[)ose of fishing ; and riie leaving o finding the waters to abound with Cod, Salmon, Herring, hen the long <-*tc., th«:y continued to yearly increase in numbers. Of settling or remaining they thouglit not ; indeed, those who ." • ' « ' "■■■*• »AST. pamphlet, it I coini-arc the rsare alrcaily >Tn such well se, they have [id cxtcnsii)n. our coininon er, the mists 'i b W ;v r. ft ^ ^ UliDICATOUV -tO-f- - I;' I To His Excellency the Gcvenicr, S/K HENRY McCALLUM; And Lilzo to his ivifc, LADY McCALLUM: This pcir.iphlet is respectfully dedicated by the author. . \- . v * ' '■ ' ^ • St. Johns, N.F., Oct. 25th, i399. A. ■ I t • ^> I; icdicatcd 1 I ( -if I 11 •///A /KHr.v 1/ ////■: /.■,■■/• .•.■/■//;//,' '7•.^. .'■'■i'. t i llll.rlit Ii.i\c t!l()llL;Ilt nf" <\\i]\ A (•(•■1!>.' \\!T<' ]'■ :• ll.pt'':!')' hirnlfi' tl ''V llu; (»!m! !.iiii.iii(.!i> <•! 'Ji-* i i-lii:)^ .\(lin;r.il ;. TIk" Isl.iiul was iiKl h) !>'• p .pul.il' !iiivi; station, and in {he i-^liniatinn of thnsr in aiilliority. it was not siiital»li-' fur any otli-r piirpos -s. "ri'/u "tion'. "ii> nlw was also lu'Ul l)y those lining slill bi^l^.T po>iiioi,.. and as A result, llic early coloni/.alioii ol' [\\r country was disallowed. liut tiiiu! works out its own end*: : a:ul >o was it with Newfoundland, fur after a lon:J delav tiK- liindran.' cs were reniow'd, and the I loine authorities he^an to ackiiowl-'d^tj it as a lit plaec for their su!)iceis to dwell in. li was not till then that enii^ialion really comnicnceil, or that colonial extension was considered. IJut the prejudice nu'riiust the island was so stroni; and deep-roote'd, that no ^reat extensioi] ever followed. The continent atid nearer provinces of New JUunswick and Nova Scotia were getting a goodly contingent of settlers ; but Newfoundland was not in the count. She was considered too far away, and was supposed to be wrapt in fog, or bound in ice. Discovered four hundred years ago, it has been slow in its develoj)ment, and cannot claim for more than the fourth of that period as being anything like a recognized habitation. This statement may appear more or less contradictory ; but it is none the less true. Our past has been a misty one — . slow in all its developments, and quaint in many of its notions. Other countries have grown into importance, and l^ave taken their place in the trade of the times ; but for Newfoundland there appeared to have been nothing beyond . a stagnant stupor. " . .: Her people who had become resident were entirely misrepresented, and were looked upon by many as being of the Race of the original inhabitants. Even their ancestors grasp THE n.WVS oh 7//A- IWl'.NIll'.IIl CFSirKV. i:i!v in tin: Mnih.'r cuuiilry m.iuc.I almot t.) h;i\v iiuli»l-f^l in lliis sanu- tnoiiroii. \kVa. Wilh ih.- (•\(c|.ti"ii <»'" ^ ^^•^^' P'^'^"'* iilar (MS.s nl Nvli.il iiK.y l»c imncil " lu-l» runilk'S," ihosc wlu) s. ulcd, wire literally In.l to tlu-ir aiK cstors ; who, through misronci'ptions of llur country anil its wIrti' al'outs, looked ui)i)i» it Willi r^vrmi;s of dread. The Island was jxruliarly isolat. il, and latausc of this, its people became almost K)sl to the outer world. Some of those pioncirs were a iiol»le people, and re- presiulrd families renowned in history. Many of their descendants are still in our midst, and have treasured in their homes, the heir looms of many generations, Never- theless, both the land and its peo[)le were misunderstood- It was this misunderslandint; that lay at the bottom of our backwardness, and was largely instrumental in hindering colonial extension on the Island. The Island was a fishing station, and as such it became renowned for the excellence of its products. As peo[)le began to learn of it, they did so in that light; which, so far, was quite correct. But this limited knowledge had a very serious effect ; inasmuch as it withheld attention from the other good features of the colony. These views so intensi- fied the misunderstanding of the outside world, that when the West Countrymen discontinued their fleets, the Island was almost lost sight of altogether. Wars and international questions engaged the attention of the Imperial Govern- ment, and in the multiplicity of offlcial duties the n.Ttional parent forgot, or at least neglected, her first born colonial child. Thus time sped on, and other powers endeavoured to grasp from England, her New-found land ; but withal, she retained her hold, and maintained her honour : although at the same time not fully aware of the Island's worth. h f ^ t. THE DAWN OF ■run rwnxTiErii caav^'t. <-, TliLTC wns so much to divert her attention, tnai it was htcrally unnoticcrl, and when it was referred to, it was only in an accidental, or secondary manner. England knew not lier C'olony's worth, because she considered not its size, nor reckoned on the imi)ortance of its [)osition. She knew of her Gibraltar in Europe, but dreamt not that at some future date, a'similar fort might be required in America ; and that in this Isle she possessed such fort. So careless was she of such a position, and so heedless to the interests of her colonial subjects in this country, that in 1713 she agreed to the signing of the treaty of Utrecht ; by which act, one-third of our coast-line became bonded to a foreign^; power. Besides this, she ceded to the same nation, the islands of St. Pierre and Miquclon ; thereby fostering a competition, which has ever since been a snare to our|. revenue, and a menace to our trade. ^ But we must not dwell too much upon the past ; with ail its blunders it is gone, nor can it be recalled. Our pre sent duty is to make the best of what we have, and to guard against those draw-backs, from which our country has suf-. fered loss. The greater number of our readers are aware of the intricacies in which this diplomatic bungling har- resulted, and of the serious hindrance it has been to the* satisfactory operation of our commerce. f ' Our position in the past was pre-eminently detrimentail to any progressive movement, and our surroundings were^' mainly instrumental in creating that one-sided policy unde^ which we so long laboured. With abundant other resource^' at hand, we prosecuted only the one. We looked so much t(g the sea, that we failed to discover its counterpart in thit^- land ; hence, when the sea began to fail us, there was ncr^, any reserve upon which to fall back. Thus was it, that with if: "I. growing population, and an unopened, and comparativelr| 10 *! m lai it was t was only knew not s size, nor le knew of at some America ; So careless le interests n 17 13 she* 1 which act, ; D a forcign^^ nation, Ihell fostering a-; are to our;; . past ; with' Our pre' ind to g'jard ' try has suf-, are aware of jngling has-^ )een to the*;: ■ I- detrimentaJv ndings werfj; policy unde^{: er resource?^* I somuchttji jrpart in thil^: lere was no:?', t, that with ip ►mparativelg: 10 y///j /)AllN (>/' THE TWENTlRTn CENTURY. unknown counlry, ihirc was l)ul one course for luindrcds of our pco[)Ic to pursue; and that was,- emigration. Ves ! strange as it may seem, incongruous as it may appear, hun- dreds, aye, tliousands, had to emigrate at the very time when liundreds of thousands were pouring into the Ameri- can continent from the Old World. At a time when our population should have continued to increase, we were scarcely stationary. When we should have been engaged in the development of our heritage, we were forsaking it ; and because some went, others had of necessity to follow in their steps. Thus it was that we fell behind, and that in the onward march of the Western Hem- isphere, Newfoundland became the laggard. With such a past is it any wonder that we became stationary ? No I the wonder is, that we are a people at all. .... , , '; . ' '* IT ■IHlllWliillllM THE DAWN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, ii 12 «••■• I CIIAITKR II. THE PRESENT, OR THE CLOSE OF THE xgth CENTURY. NOTE. Of htc much has been said, as to the wisdom or other- wise of the Rcid Contract. On all sides people have freely expressed thenjselves, Ijplh tor and against it. Like must questions of its character, it has received its due share of par- tisan criticism ; those for it, having gone into one extreme, and those against it, into another. Politics have had a good deal to do with the discussion, and sometimes the topic itself has been actually lost sight of in the heat of debate. But it is very evident that most people believe in some such a measure as the Reid Contract implies. They acknowledge that it is about time that ** this Newfound- land of ours" be opened up, and its long-talked-of resources tested. They approve of such a contract ; but disapprove of the figure at which it was ratified : and even some who look favourably upon it, seem to think that it should have been given more time for consideration and debate, ere it became law. Others again think that such a contract is too great, and cmlxidies too much real estate for one man to control. They think that it Is nothing more, nor less, than a huge monopoly. But all agree that some such enterprise is necessary, and that the Messrs Reid are the right men to carry it on. With this latter opinion all must certainly agree — the excellence of the work already done by this fiim, is sufficient guarantee of this. Whatever views we may entertain as to the possibility of monopoly, or the price paid, we must confess, that the contractor has displayed a great amount of faith which must materially efl'ect the future pro:^perity of the country. It is because of the possibilities of this contract, combined with the impressions made upon my mind during my recent visit to Bell Island iron mine, that I have decided to write this pamphlet. All I desire, is, that it be read ; and then I am fully satisfied to bear whatever criticism it may call forth. . The reader will find it independent, impartial, and original. I have not quoted any extracts, but have written just what I think, and exactly what I l)elieve. Into its pages is no word admitted that will not bear the search-light of truthful investi- gation. Next to my countuy I love a clean press ; therefore, 1 shall not write any sentence, to which I cannot consdenti* . ously subscribe my name. ^; .. . . i J, r *" I I I. .- )' f, TTKY. 11 HE X9th or othcr- ive freely ^ikc must e of par- rcme, and iscussion, St sight of 3st people t implies, icwfound- ' resources ipprove of who look lavc been it became I % i. 'X- I #^. prcat, and ol. They nonopoly. ssary, and m. With rellcnce of arantec of pos5ibiIity , that the lidh must ■ % combined | ; my recent '-%: ;d to write ^ nd then I call forth. j ori^nal. just what I is no word ful investi" 1 therefore, consdcnti '4't, €■: •-* '■■^■■•^'\ ■>■•''. J i\. r*v ^ 12 7 ///• DA UN (^ /■ THE 1 1 1 EN TIE I'll C EN 7 Y A' V. 'l\u' presJiU coiulilion of any [)'jO[)le is largely tlie out- come of thf.ir {K'i>L siirrou:uIi:i^s. If the pa&t have been rii^:;«.-il and (risa{)pointi:ig, then they are the belter for its discipline : hecauv-, such an experience makes the !)etter man. 'I'he l>e^t scjjdier is he who has seen action, and who in the heat of battle has had '' his eye teeth cut." 'I'he best sailor is he who has been storm-tossed, and who, amid the wreckage of Old Neptune safely readies land. The ex- perience of llie battle field, and the hardships of the storm, impart such a knowledge, as the fair-weather novice cannot attain unto. Newfoundland may be said to have had a rugged, stormy past. Tlie cotirse of her development has been principally one of susjxjnse ; but from all this labyrinth of doubt, she has emerged into her present status. What then is her present status ? and how stands she in the light of her past ? Her position is somewhat like unto a man, who, by perseverance and patience has succeeded in constructing for himself and family, a large and well-laid-out house ; in which he has several unoccupied and unfurnished departments, and to properly furnish which, he will require additional capital, and then it will further require a larger tenantry. In comparison with the past we are far in advance of even a decade ago, and are now better understood than ever before. At present we are about acknowledged to be a people, and our country is admitted within the circle of the . habitable parts of the globe. The illusionary fogs which so long enveloped us are now penetrated by the medium of the press, and we are forever liberated from those hazy con- ceptions to which they gave birth. People who geograph- . ically are our neighbours are no longer foreign to us, nor we to them. They have come to realize the fact that New- I . i' •If I HE J) AWN or THE I WENTIEIJI CENI CKV. «J >4 ! • 3- fuuiicllaiid is not so very far froiij tliciii after all, arul that the people who inhabit it, are, like themselves, the children of the century's earlier emigration. The press has more to say of Newfoundland to-day, than ever before ; and wherein it was once looked ui)on as being a sort of out-of-the-world, it is now fully admitted to be a part and parcel of it. The country has been newly dis- covered in its true light, and found to occupy an important place. Unique in its history it is equally so in its position. Situated as it is in the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is important as the reckoning point of Atlantic navigation between the Old and New World. But we are daily becom- ing more than this, and those who once passed heedlessly by our shores, are now inquiring of us, and many of late have stepped off at our capital at the east, and crossing the interior by rail, have re-embarked at the west. Those pec pie have beheld the country for themselves, and some who formerly thought it but rock, have discovered land, and also landscape. ;, Our present status is far in advance of any prior date in our history. Whether we consider our industrial pursuits, or our educational advantages, our means of transit or qui' access to the interior ; or in whatever department we may: review our standing, we find the pleasing revelation that matters are improving. Our financial position is on a firnr' basis, and the public mind was never more healthy. Ouri people are being better educated, and an improved style o[ > homestead is gradually supplanting that of the past. Ou^^ roads arc better built and further extended than ever before^; thereby making communication an easy matter, and great; ly expediting the wheels of trade. ; > : '>':§; But what shall we say of our railway and telegrapf , system ? and what shall we say of our general industries ? Ov » ;.' . ( . ■ ■ ,■ • • - . ' . ' ■'.' - ,.,.■'■-■"<' to I auxi auxii our that addi reply trade both local this ed, culai I" iitsemmammimium 'A- y. ij 14 77//'. /U//A' ()/• 7//A lUKSTlETII CI-NTIKV atul that chiUlren d to-day, upon as milted to newly dis- important positK awrcnce, navigation ily bccom- heedlessly any of late ossing the rhose pec some who land, and prior date lal pursuits, nsit or our' [It we may slation that 5 on a firm iilthy. OuTf* ^ed style of^- past. Ou^J^' ever before^; . and great'; *■• * id telegraph; istries? I he arc tile Littfiitcan In- ^aid, llial liny arc iii< icasini; aiiiiually. fislu lies, wliich have hicn th«- aiaiii stay of tlic i)i'()pIo, slili pr()sc< iitrd with Nii^oiir, and will cmt coiUinik- a icadiiiL; industry. I'liosc fislurii's ol seal ami tod, salmon and l(>i)stcr, havL- L;t ntialiy .uiviii a reasonable rrlurn ;l)ul owing to the entire population having been prinri[)ally (lej)endent upon them, the strain became too great ft)rthem to bear. Tiiey were over-[)roseeutcd, and thereby rendered unprofitable. Thus it was thai our fishermen became impoverished, while those who undertook the risk of supplying them, found themselves insolvent. With all the wealth of good voyages* there was lacking that sj^rit of economy which is practised to-day. Our system was an expensive one, and was carried on, in a most extravagant manner. But to-day a much bet- ter system is in vogue, by which a shorter credit, keeps a safer account. With these advantages it is not utojjian to expect that an all-around improvement will follow, and that the average catch of a season, will better remunerate both buyer and seller. Unlike the past, the present has additional industries to those of the fisheries ; which, while they are but auxiliaries, are of groat value. It was the absence of these auxiliaries in the past, that so limited the earning power of our people ; and it is because of their existence at present that we speak so hopefully. Does the reader ask what these additional industries are? Then, to his inquiries we shall reply by beginning with the growing industry of the lumber trade. In this branch alone a large amount is invested* both of local and outside capital ; and the greater portion of local demand is supplied liy our own mills. Until recently this was not the case. The bulk of our lumber was import- ed, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, that are now cir- culated within the country, were annually sent out of it. In v MM Till-: /nii'x <'/■' ////•; r\\'f'.s r!!i:!i c/yn >\'v w r 1 tlii.-i \vi' luivi- 111 iiicfMsi- in tlic cnuntiv's larniii^ pnwcr, !)}' wliirli a ]arj<.' iiiiin!>ir innki.- a loiiiforiablc li\clil;- "I'l. I he l()^L;L'rs and miil-mt.'ii ari- a> much a reccL^ni/rd <'.i^^ "i ar- tisans t(> ilav as anv oihor class dF workmen : lail lho.>(.; terms were scarcely known a (|Uarlcr of a ccntnrx ago. In con-' nc'c-tion with the hunter trade, tiiert- is al^o th.'>.' loadin;^ and sliipping of cargo, wiili all ihoir attendant (hshursenients ; wjiich in eases of lari^c shiptnents lor the forei;jn markets, include a considtrahle amount of money. This niou'-y is paid chirfly to the working classes, and it h'-ing inostl) a cash transaction, there is room for the intermediate or mid- dle man to compete in trade. jt Under the further dipcussic ?i of t!ie himlu'rinc; industn' comes that cjf i)ulp wood. 'I'his branch may he looked, upon as a satisfactory illustration of the latest develo{)ment-' oi our wood-lands. Of our forests and timber lands some? have spoken disparagingly ; but we do not think, that any»'^ will dare to ojien their mouths, against the possibilities of these areas producing an abuni ar K'>(.; terms III con' "idin;^ and senu'tits : 1 niarkels, nmii'-y is :; !ii'.)stl\ a tc cr iiiid • , t c inrlustn'^ he lookcdi; ^L'lopnicn!''' inds S(jm(i I: that any^ (jssihihfiL'^v ood. I-'orJ artKjuIaiiyjr' r.cnewcdjf ' is a larf^e'^' riiicctUia|}. ere is nn[i ' \ • i' :natL'Vial isj: ■ ^ut-p\il W: ■ itrodiicciF niediiiiTiC' f > to nianwr U to theim ly creates. Duntry, in^. i6 /■//A /UIIN O/ niE inhNriEl'lI CENrHKY. general. 'I'lie i)ul[) iiuhislry is now only ii^ its infancy ; hut the success ol the present will certainly result in greater de- velopments. l*assing on to the next great auxiliary we couje to that of mining. Kor a (juarter of a century this industry has been operated in a somewhat fluctuating manner, the copper mines of I'ilt (.'ove and Hett's Cove, being the chief centre of operation during that period. For a while it ap- peared as if a great " boom " was setting in at those local- ities ; but it did not continue, nor did it cuhninate in the most satisfactory manner. There were difTerent draw-backs. It seemed that the right time had not yet come, and that speculators had acted prematurely. But to-day there is ap increased demand for copper, and the out-look is in favour of future operations. Besides these copper mines there has been that of Pelley's Island, where iron pyrites is mined to a large ex- tent. These three mines, with other smaller ventures, were the principal mineral industries up to a very recent date ; and their operation was a means of support to thousands. •;. ' As a result of these we have in our midst another class of >• workmen quite different, either from the logger or the fish- erman, viz. — the miner. These men, we understand, are very clever in the performance of their task, and have been ,. termed "experts" by some of the best mining captains in ' charge of these particular mines. But mining in Newfound-, land is only in its infancy, and the present operations are nothing more than fore-runners of future expansion. By ,;= r their introduction new ideas have been imparted unto our '^t people, and new hopes infused into their breasts. The ef- '. feet of this is very marked, and is seen in the aspirations of remote places toward the improvements of the age. , ;'•, k\ it TifE D \\\x or riFE 1 wF.xnF/ni crxi try. 17 »! TIk' ()|K:ration of iiiacliiiit ry, whicli to many was a mysterious factor, is now a familiar art ; and llio pulling' of J the steam engine is heard around the inland. '\\\r mistiness of the past lives only in memory, because the inventions of : the age liave entirely eclipsed its crude ideas. Science is ' now understood where once it was d(Hiljted, and llie (juaint- | ness of thirty years aj^o is lost to the children of the present generation. The new ideas of newer industries are chang- ing the features of our trade. Our a[)[)liances are all modern and quite up to date, and everybody seems on the J alert to achieve liis best. The puff oi the steam engine is J no longer confined to the saw mill or the ship ; for these arc ^ already augmented ])y the equally shrill whistle of the loco- , motive. Our hitherto locked-up country is partly intersect- » ed by lines oF railway, and the impenetratable forest is now a thrown open, and its fastnesses laid under tribute to the i rails of the iron horse. The solitudes of the interior are I broken in upon, and where the scream of the lonely night • owl, and the yelping of the wolves, were once the most j familiar sounds, the voice of man is now heard in superior \ tones. The stillness is broken by the approach of busy men from the city, and the ancient Indian trail, is super- ceded by the railroad. Our interior is now acccssiable, and that wliich lay so long unknown is no more a mystery. The solitude of ages has been intruded upon by tlie ruthless (?) hand of advancing civilization, and now in the closing days of the dying century we are having our own doors thrown open to us. How opposite. — A closing century, but an open- ing country. The introduction of the railway has proved the re- demption of the country ; because by it there is a possibility of developing our latent resources. These resources con- % sist of various mineral deposits, which only await the invest- i| I .,• , '. iS Til UK nl ol worth. owing t( represi'ii of the ^ he is lisl lions is has awa mineral surpasst its succ deposits and hoj ing upo and bid Th are wh try ; <^n for emp fabric, have s( eries, w of these the lati this th factoric be furt their p of ther All the proof t in adv other a »7 1 S 7 7//i P.lllN or THE / II EN I IE 1 11 ( EN 1 7 A' J '. wrib a iiij^ of lim ss )ns of iicc is uaint- j resent I :haiig- f- re all . )ii the * 'iiie is i ise arc ; loco- , irsoct- » > now a to Ihei 3r are nif;ht most jj porior ** busy niper- .', and The ss (?) days iro'.vn open- iiK nl of « apital, and the touch of lahonr to prove; lluir worti). I'or lon^ y«arsthrir existence lias l)een known ; Imt ONviiij; In (nir extreme isi)Ialion, and also our ('xtrenie tnis- represiiitalion, we were unsiieeessfiil in attracting the t ar of the speculator. Hut now the door is open to liim, and he is listening to enter, and already the shatiow of his mil- lions is upon us. The phenomenal success of Bell Isle mine has awakened his interest, and the increasing demand for mineral products improves our chances. Bell Isle mine has surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the public, and its success is telling greatly in favour of our other mineral deposits. All the indications of the present are bright-sided and hopeful, a nd the hour of opportunity is evidently dawn ing u})on us. Our present is much brighter than our past and bids fair to continue so, far into the future. These industries to which I have particularly referred, are what may be termed the staple industries of the coun- try ; ^x\ these, the different arts and trades are dependent for employment. They form the great core of our industrial fabric, in which all other branches centre. Of these we have some large plants, such as our factories and found- eries, with additional other branches of skilled labour. Some of these factories are large and well equipped with many of the latest improvements of modern times. Especially is this the case at our extensive Rope Works, and larger shoe factories, and machine shops. Of these institutions it may be further said that they have principally developed into their present dimensions during the last decade; while others of them are not more than double that period in existence. All these facts when taken into consideration, give sufficient proof to what is here claimed, viz. — that the present is far in advance of the past. Add then to these industries the other arts and conveniences which have sprung up in our (i MM ■M rwnwJBii THE IhWVN OF THE rWESTIETll CEXri'h'Y. V) „ii,]st • siicli as tc-l(-rn|)Vi (^xtfiisioii, tclcpl^'"^^ ccmmunica tion fire protrcticn, street railway, hotel acconniuulnlion, plK,U>grai)lm: aci.iuvrnicnt, with othrr equally important improvements, and it will be readily perceived how far in advance of the past, is our present. so li V i 'ft. 1 ; 1 r 1^ I- 1/ ' ^.■ - * -i? • 4 .. .,■ '. J ; -JfC. J %J. -^i^ ,-.. , 1" . ) ,1 i. ... ' *■■ i ( >t/ .;'';^"'.*^t 4/.. •,.; ■J* .;i-*» ■'•f ■•• * »• a f ....,.;-v. r-:;' of 01(1 revoluii er is ll ialely « round, was w( pendul he no 1 \V will ha the tw the apj paratio such e^ tions ^ pamph of the sonab]( for Ne Ir allow I boast aware I for thi; tions ai whicli ■t . I') inira Uion, )rtanl far in ■■ ''if, — • . 'A •" ' t ^ .Si ao //J/i /).tilN (>/•• 77//4 1 WRNnii I'll CliSl L AT. cii.\iti:k m. THE CENTURY'S DAWN. ICvcr oinvard in llicir course speeds the chariot wheels of OKI I'ather Time, never oiuv ciMsin^i; in the whirl of their revolutions ; or pausing for a ri-lrospeciive view. No soon- er is the cycle of one year completed than another immed- iately springs into existence, and commences its ceaseless round. Thus has it ever been since first the clock of Time was wound up, and tlius shall it continue to be until its pendulum shall have swung its last tick, when "Time shall be no longer." With the closing of nineteen hundred, another century will have jjassed, and then shall burst upon us the dawn of the twentieth. Already the world is arousing itself to hail the approaching cycle, and in various spheres a way of pre- paration is being made. To do this is but natural, as all such events awaken a special interest. What these celebra- tions will consist of, it is not within the province of this pamphlet to deal with ; therefore, overstepping the advent of the century we will look out upon it, and as far as is rea- sonable peer into its dawn, and ascertain what it may mean for Newfoundland. In this forecastc it is not the intention of the writer to allow himself to be led away by any fanciful theories, or to boast of impossibilities. Both reader and writer are well aware that such a delusion may easily be indulg<;d in; hence, for this reason it demands our strictest vigilance. Celebra- tions andanniversaries are notable forexaggerations in speech which are generally allowable for what they are worth ; but i!:. ■A i; k^ THE DAW'iW or THE IWESriEl I! 'SES'l VNY. i\ when iIk' line of dcniarcntinn is drawn these cxag^fjrations fail, and like the buhhlcs whi( h they a^.', they bur^t ; there- by exposing their nothingness. Poetical or fanciful as the theme of this chaptrr may seem, it will be treated only on the lines of hard fact ; and such deductions made as are within the radius of the p)remises. The prosperity of every country very largely depends upon the cjuality, as well as the variety, of its products ; but unless these resources be developed they cannot benefit their owners. No more can the money of the miser hoard- ed in some closely guarded corner, increase ; than can its cciuivalent, either in collateral or stocks, if they be not ex- changed and traded upon. To create an increase there must of necessity be a turn over. It is the principle of the Great Teacher as implied in the parable of the talents ;and is worthy of application in our own particular case. The talent may be capable of increasing to ten, or twenty, or even to a hundred fold, if used ; but if buried in a napkin, it must remain the same. In our case the talent is represented by the latent re- sources which are certified to abound throughout the Is- land. Of the existence of these resources there is no further rOom for doubt ; hence, we take it that there are resources. Numerous surveys have certified this fact. Such authorities as the Messrs. Howley and Murray, with many others, have prospected and surveyed the land, and it only requires a perusal ofrtheir ofKicial reports to learn what they have dis- covered. These reports tell us of iron and copper in abun- dance, of coal and asbestos, of lead and silver. They further tell us of marble and granite, of slate and fire-clay, and of lime-stone and gypsum. In addition to these valuable de- posits, they also refer to our timber lands and agricultural districts, and in-land seas. ' . • . v.,-. • 12 riiE ■ ':. k ■'! I. Tlu'se for ages ; anybody, hilherlo p placed in I moment H sition to ( never wcr misundt.rs moved, an good worl of the dav favourable circles th< spcculatoi hitherto I the Islan( from the Up dcvelopn course o both of establish tually le large coi here for want ire will find and if way is c the wor are aire rails s[ 21 22 nil'. />./// A' «)/•• lllF. l WEMlEl'll CES'n'RV. ons pre- Ithe on are 'riicse valiialilc out t<» l>c utilized Uy being placed in the market. Nrver was there surh an o|)|)orlinic nionient for lis, and never were wc in such a favourable po- sition to rope with our chances, as we arc at i)ri'scnt, and never were we so well understood as we arc today. 'I he misunderstandings of the j)ast have been considerably re- moved, and the o|)erations of the present are forwarding the good work. In many of the leading magazines and journals of the day, we now and then fnid ourselves the subject of favourable comment and wholesome criticism. In financial circles the Island is being favourably looked U[)on, and Sf)cculators appear more inclined to invest than they have hitherto been. The Reid Contract has literally resurrected the Island, and the Whitney Syndicate has proclaimed it from the housetops. Upon these, and sitiiilar gigantic measures, the future development of the country chiefly depends ; because in the course of their operations a thousand and one branches both of skilled and unskilled labour, must of necessity be established. The operation of these two interests will even- tually lead to the advent of similar speculations by equally large companies. Everything that such concerns require is here for them, under the most favourable aspects. If they want iron they can find it in abundance ; if coi)per they will find the same ; if asbestos they have it already located, and if petroleum, they have the wells already bored. The way is opened before them, and the most diflficult part of the work is performed in advance. The lodes and deposits are already located, the interior is unlocked, and the iron rails sfwn the land (rom end to end. Besides these, there \'^ \ •J, '!i . .If ■^\ ■ I U •1 •1 if •ti f! / ^ J ' I I ill I- : r !:■ » : r . h ■■ i: r//^; /y.nrx or the i Whxi-iErn cEyrr/:y. 2;, is an ahiiiuKuicc of water by which any dcj^rcc (»f motive powcjr can be i^cncrated. To a very r.(>n^i • i L 1> 4'.' ,, . . *■ . J L t /7/A' DAirN OF THE inENTIElII CENTCKY. 25 C)ur country possesses matiy attractions for the tourist. Its rugj^cd sea coast, its deep indrafts of salt water, and its large bays, dotted with islets, give just such a variety to the scene, as makes the whole a picturesque one. I have con- versed with several of the leading travelling men of the day, some of whom have skirted the island. Prominent among those, is John Fretwell, Esq., a gentleman who is acknow- ledged as a man of travel and letters. In referring to our coastline, and especially to Notre-Dame-Iiay, Mr. Fretwell was enthusiastic in his praises of the scenery. He said that in his travels in the Mediterranean among the beautiful Ionian Islands he had not beheld anything to surpass the beauteous and variegated scenery of the islands of Notre- Dame-Bay. Surely this testimony from such an authority is very encouraging. Some may, perhaps, look upon it as flattery, but those who have beheld these scenes for themselves will agree that Mr. Fretwell's statement is fully substantiated. The coast-line scenery of any part of Newfoundland is not beneath the attention of those, who, in rugged nature, be- hold beauty and grandeur. The view at Bay of Islands, near the entry to the Humber River, is of itself worth a visit to that place ; for there is to be seen such a variety of views, as few places present. The towering islands arc like the sentinels of an army of some by-gone age. But it is not necessary to prolong our statements ; be- cause the scenic grandeur of the land is becoming known, and the testimony of hundreds of tourists, who, during the past season have patronized us, is the best advertisement the country can have. These people have seen for them- selves, and are satisfied. Our cooling breezes have fanned their brow, our clear crystal water has quenched their thirst, our richly luscious wild fruits have delighted their taste, 26 THE I and our op the brooks the *• speck shrubbery t They have r foot of white river's bank, in it all, tha At thij and since th glowing ac that will tell sands read, Thus it is tl dawn is fa^ much bctte season the g expressed bj Fretwell an cannot fall t These infli wings of th< and borne i The a comforts o where tradi must sureh ing for larg( demand, tl vicinities, ij the City, f during the 26 77/A /unw (>/'■ j//F. ri\-RNllEriI CKM CRY. and our open lu-arts have given them a welcome. From the brooks and streamlets (►f the interior they have hooked the "speckled beauties," and from the rich foliage of our shrubbery they have leisurely plucked the wild flowers. They have raml)led in unfre(|uented spots, where hitherto the •oot of white man never trod, they have strolled along the river's bank, or u[) the towering hill-side ;and have discovered in it all, that enjoyment which they sought. At this date the majority of them are at their homes, and since their return some of them have given to the press, glowing accounts of their tour. It is these publications that will tell so much in our favour. What one writes, thou- sands read, and what thousands read many more hear of. Thus it is that our sky is brightening, and that the century's dawn is favourable to our interests. We are becoming much better known, and that in our true light, and every season the good news is spreading. Such opinions as those expressed by Sir William Van Home, J. Rupert Elliot, John Fretwell and Bickles Willson, and their contemporaries ; cannot fall to the ground, or fail to attract the public ear. These influential persons have given the word, and on the wings of the press it has been wafted across the Atlantic, and borne around the continent. The activities of the industrial world will make the comforts of the traveller all the more certain ; because, where trade leads and capital is invested, improvements must surely follow. This increase of traffic is already call- ing for larger hotel accommodation, and in response to this demand, the erection of this class of buildings in different vicinities, is in contemplation. The Crosbie, the Waverly, the City, and the Metropolitan, with several others, have, during the past season, been taxed to their utmost capacity. ' J -t ft ■•««H ! \l I rr I' r "^ I I t THE /iAli'N OF rUK 7 nJiAT/E'lJ/ r/A'/T/VJ'. 27 Wc arc all j)lcascd lo learn that tlicsc hotels ucrc so will patronized, and in wisliing thcni continued success, wc like- wise hail the erection of larger and more commodious structures. In my second chapter I have referred to the pulp in. dustry, and in this chapter I must resume the subject in its future as[)ects. Pulp, like iron is in growing demand, and the purposes for which it is used are yearly increasing. Couple with this the fact, that these countries which have hitherto supplied the raw material, are becoming exhausted in their supply, and we readily perceive how good our own chances are. The lack of supply, with the increase in demand will eventually turn the attention of other companies toward our country, where they will find a vast area of wooded land which is well adapted to meet their re(]uirements. Of all the likely sites for extensive pulp manufacturing, that of Grand Lake is untjuestionably one of the best. The abundance of wood and the abundant space for buildings are fundamental requisites, while the great lake itself is of no less importance. At this place we understand a large plant is soon to be erected; and if the price paid for the plans and designs of the works is to be taken as a criterion of their total cost, then we are safe in assuming, that these works will rank amongst the most gigantic of the age. The erection of these buildings with their costly machin- ery will entail the out lay of our enormous amount of money, and their further operation will afford employment to thou- sands of operatives. With such a huge industry established in such an inviting district, it is not over-stepping the mark , to suppose, that at an early date the solitude of this spot will be broken, and a flourishing town spring into existence. This may seem somewhat exaggerating ; but we think that the extensive scale of the proposed plant, in conjunction 2S 711 E DAWN with the accessor suit, A town or cil special features o has been well ter long by five milcj t lenient near its b that yachts and s waters, and that i of occupation. Si and when once the tion will surely set It is not neo future aspects of bear their own te< they will certainly 1 ing power. With mines, there must commerce with itj these means, nianj will no longer neec their doors the people do not de; past they have had to other countries their own ; and no' ing upon us, we r latioii. But wood ar resources. What of sheep-raising? extensive sheep-rur neighbourhood of 28 THE DAWN OF THE TiVENTIErn CENTURY. with the accessory industries, will naturally lead to this re- sult, A town or city at such a h-jautiful place will possess special features of attraction for the tourist. Grand Lake has been well termed an inland sea ; it being fifty-six miles long by five miles wide. With a busy manufacturing set- tlement near its borders, it is not unreasonable to expect that yachts and steam launches will be placed upon its waters, and that its nooks and arms will become the scene of occupation. Such a territory is destined to be inhabited, and when once the way is opened, a tidal wave of occupa- tion will surely set in. It is not necessary to dwell at length on any of these future aspects of the country's prosperity ; because they bear their own testimony, and without undue anticipation they will certainly tend to increase our present limited earn- ing power. With the operation of pulp mills and iron mines, there must of necessity follow the usual branches of commerce with its various channels of employment. By these means, many who now find it necessary to emigrate will no longer need to do so ; because they will find near their doors the employment which they seek. These people do not desire to forsake their country; but in the past they have had to do so. The labour which they give to other countries, they would be quite satisfied to give to their own ; and now that a brighter day is evidently dawn- ing upon us, we may expect a large increase in our popu' latioii. Kut wood and iron are only a portion of our latent resources. What of further agricultural pursuits? What of sheep-raising ? Where is there a more suitable site for extensive sheep-runs than the slopes and levels which the neighbourhood of Grand I^ke presents? Why not such ►i.v IIIE />. 7 U\Y or THE Vn EN TIE Til ( 'E.\ 71 VV Y. 29 30 THE PAX a coiiCLrn as the Royal Stores' (llolhinij; Company, raise their own wool for manufacturing purposes? Surely such a project is not impossible; our neighbours of the Lower Provinces do it, and why not we? What of poultry raising ? Why not somebody invest in a hennery? Will not the city consume as many eggs and need as much poultry in the future as it does now? What of the supply of the Christmas goose? What of our wild fruits? Are they to . annually bud forth and ripen only to be left for autumn gales to dash to the ground, or are they to be gathered and turned to account? Who that has travelled any distance back from our sca-shorc, has not been impressed with the size of our blue-berries, and has not wished that sonte means of catining might be adopted, whereby such a dainty and plen- tiful fruit, might benefit somebody ? I have seen the pro- cess of putting up these berries by our neighbours of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia ; and think that the same mode can be practised here. What of the theory of cold storage for our surplus catch of codfish ? W^e liave been hearing of its utility and bene- fits for some time, and are inclined to accept its claims ; be- cause we believe its adoption will considerably enhance- the value of our great staple. Up to the present lime it has not been found feasable to adopt such a system, for the reason that our isolation was too great. We wore too far estranged from cur likely customers ; but by our increased, and increasing;, steam facilities, and by our improved rail- way system, we are now in a position to test its properties. When the waters of our large bays are plied by swift steam- ers, which in their total circuit will circumnavigate the is- land, then the system of cold storage will assume practical shape. ^^ . . . :- . hV ' We caiUK will solve lhe| gcsted market plcment the e:| latter be the cJ the Western S| the greater pai but their retu| they endure frc deckless boats, nor is there any havesimply to c cold storage v and when once In passing sider what is i winter-fishing fi have been over scnger in some examined some cd the men v what I here w mens' lips the their story in co of life. Our f are frank, op( truth, and shov them. At early n The water is vt twice that nur longed exercise lines. Usually .. i ■• i 30 THE DAWN ()!' THE TWENTIETH CENTrRY. \Vc (annul but believe in sucli a system. Its adoption will solve the prolilcm of our limited, and oft' times con- gested markets ; while at the same time it will largely sup- plement the earnings of our fishermen. Especially will the latter be the case with that section of fishermen, who, along the Western Shore, prosecute deep-water fishing throughout the greater part of the winter season. These men toil hard ; but their returns are not adc(|uate to the hardships which they endure from exposure in their small skiffs and open or deckless boats. At i)resent there is no means of redress, nor is there any chance to ameliorate their sufferings ; they havesimply to do their best, and put up with what comes. But cold storage will meet the wants of their particular case, and when once adopted, it will prove their salvation. In passing let us pause for a moment or two, and con- sider what is really implied in the foregoing reference to winter-fishing from the harbours of the Western Shore. I have been over the territory myself, and have sailed as pas- senger in some of the skiffs used by those people. I have examined some of their open boats, and have interview- ed the men who man them. For myself I have seen what I here write of, and have learned from the fisher- mens' lips the story of their hardships. They did not tell their story in complaint; but spoke of it as the usual routine of life. Our fishermen are not a complaining class ; they are frank, open-hearted men, who generally speak the truth, and show great respect to those who talk kindly to them. At early morn the start is made for the fishing grounds. The water is very deep, and requires sixty, and sometimes twice that number of fathoms of line. This entails pro- longed exercise in throwing out and hauling in — plying their lines. Usually the under-current is very strong which neces- ^ t I )V 7 //A /;. / n 'A^ O/- THE Tl i ENTIE TIJ CENTL VV )'. \ \ silatcs the use of heavy leads. The boats used arcconiparalive- ly small, and in some instances, not tit for such work. The whole process is fraught wilii hardship, danger, and exposure. But withal, the men keep at it, and are fairly successful in their efforts. It is their chief means of support ; but owing to the system of trade as practised, they do not reap that reward which such industry deserves. They sell their fish green, /'. e. fresh, as it is caught, without salt or curing. The fish which they catch is mostly of a large size, ^nd of superior quality. Such fish when cured and ready for mar- ket, usually averages four dollars per quintal, or hundred- weight. But these men cannot afford to keep their catch until it is made. Their condition is such as necessitates the immediate dis[)osal of it when caught, — which they do for one dollar per hundredweight. For one hundred and twelve pounds of fresh codfish, this sum is questionably small ; but questionable as it is, the circumstances of the case seem to justify it. With such a price given, and with such hardships endured, is it any won- der that many of these brave men who prosecute this win- ter-fishery, are poor, and that ere life's prime is passed, they bear the impress of premature old age ? It is this class of fisliermen that cold storage will bene- fit. The quality of the fish which they catch, is just such as a Cold Storage company requires, and the season of the year in which it is caught, is the time when a market can be the more easily found. Whatever the hardships of thes? deep-water winter-fishers may be, they are quite content to bear, them being inured thereto ; but they are not content to receive such a small sum for their risk. Let us therefore ho|)e that with the opening century this desirable project will be introduced, and that its advantages will soon benefit our people. With swift steamers on our bays, and daily u i2 /7/A ('onMnunic, .such a lu)j Intim hy way ol j l)licab!e to lobsters, ai •"'iy api)Ln greater valu Thus the country discussion? is approach i I about to be ward movem and the mak for many of ( ahead. It is tion the whce at stake, that t'ley pusli or fortune, they They have dis person who is said " God-spc Next to e tion; but it is independent of desirable end c main .stay; but population tha may be increase have already b is an increase o j2 11 IE n.XWN or THE riVENriETII centcry. commiini( ition with (':»ju» llii ton, \vc see no iciisoii wliy such a hope may not hr s|)i'('(hly rcali/cd. In thus j)arliculari/in.i; lliis section ol Our fibliorics, I doso by way of ilhistralion. What is here rlainicd, is cMjually ap- plicable to (jlhcr |K)rlionsof our fisheries, and perhaps to our lobsters, and certainly to our salmon ; yea, and simple as it may aj)pear, even t!ie smaller bait fish.es may be found of greater value by cold storage. Thus we may go on until all the different industries of the country are enunierated ; but what is the use of further discussion? The reader can see that the advent of a new era is approaching, and thai the dream of the nineteenth century is about to be fulfilled, in the reality of the twentieth. A for- . ward movement is upon us, and is now a part of our policy, and the making of this movement a success, will n?ean work for many t)f our half idle people. This movement must go ahead. It is a '* boom " destined to spread, and set in mo- tion the wheels of trade and commerce. There is so much at stake, that those interested dare not halt ; but rather must they push on, until by perseverance, and we trust good fortune, they will reap a safe return for their vast outlay. They have displayed great faith in the country, and every person who is open to impartial opinion, must have ere this said " God-speed " to them. ' Next to employment we need an increase of popula- • tion ; but it is only by the introduction of new industries, ' independent of, and separate from, the fisheries, that this ^ desirable end can be accomplished. Our fisheries are our', main stay ; but they cannot be expected to support a larger "'■■ population than we at present have. True, their returns , may be increased, by the adoption of such improvements as ' have already been referred to. But what we really require is an increase of people who shall be independent of the -.! 'i V X / HE 1 >.l 1 1 W ('/■ 7 HE l WEM IE 7 7/ C V: A' / TA' > '. J.} J4 I'HE n. ii ; ^,v li>lirii(s alti)f;cilK'r. A cin.ss who siuill Ixj jii^t as t \j) rt ii) the operation of oilier iiiduslrirs, as our fishermen are in the prosecution of the fishing industry. In our fisheries \vc [Kjssess a rich heritage, but it is not judicious to jeopardize their worth by over-prosecution. With additional industries tliis danger can be averted, and at the same time the general earning capacity of the country be increased, i'his increase will stal)ilitatethe business of the present, and the re-action of the whole will be beneficial to llie Capital. If the country prosper, the capital must certain- ly feel the result ; for in it centre the sinews of trade. Al- ready it is feeling the impulse of a newer day, and as the course widens, and trade increases, so will the way *' the brighter grow." L(.l us then awake to the importance of the hour, »ind let us buckle on the armour, for the fulfillment of those duties, which elicit the support, and claim the attention, of uvery man who feels himself a Briton, and who is interest- ed in this the oldest child of Britain's colonial life. This child is our land, and whether it happens to I i by birth or adoj)tion that we find ourselves of its population, let us see to it, that we are worthy citizens and faithful public servants. I>ct us do our duty, and with hope and perseverance, hail the dawn of the Twentieth Century. iv- .^^^•^iV — III ^ ■^■j^i ^"^^^ ''X ) '--' "^^'/ '^ - I (^--^".i.± 1_J^^~— lJ-"^^r' / iV^-^vp^-t"^ In writin 'lot an easy i facti(}n of the in which evti possible for vei bave already own oi)inions, ■ possibilities of credit to any p pendently of pc country have r gentlemen aimi on each side ha other, and one of the other. E was carelessly p, in print, because To locate separate pamphh and others think is very evident th{ is usually called years ago they W( late government! tunity to change do things, and v l«cen. But as it we should besati; spect them in tun S4 THE PAWN OF THE TW'EN'l lETH CEA LliHt, CHAITKR IV. CONCLUDING SUMMARY. In writing ahoul such siil>jt'cts as the forcgoinc;, it is not an easy maltcr to explain one's self to the entire satis- faction of iljc reader. There are so many different aspects in whicli every (jnestion nuiy be viewed, that it is quite possible for very opposite concUisions to be arrived at. As I liave already stated, what I have written, are simply my own opinions, based upon the signs of the times, and the possibilities of the Railway Contract. I lay not blame nor credit to any political party ; but have written entirely inde- pendently of politics of every shade. The politics of our country have not l)een conducted in a manner becoming gentlemen aiming at such responsible positions. The good on each side has been be-littlcd by the party feelings of the other, and one side has rejoiced at the apparent weakness of the other. Even the heroic success of Mr. Bond's Loan, was carelessly passed by in session, and bitterly denounced in print, because of ultra party feelings. To locate the source of this evil, would require a separate pamphlet. Some think that it rests with the people* and others think it rests with the politicians themselves; but it is very evident that we are all in fault. The people are or what is usually called public opinion — is rather versatile. Four years ago tliey were awaiting the opportunity to change the late government, and now they are awaiting the oppor- tunity to change the present government. It is the way we do things, and will continue so, while party interests are so keen. But as it seems necessary to have political parties, we should be satisfied to support the good of each, and re- spect them in turn. THE DAWW* 01- THE TWEXTIE lU CEXirKW >5 ?'• ' ; X^ t i- i I- t i » i I: f, ■ » I* '■ ll is (luitc easy to liiul fault wiili i!u)S(j who rule us ; hut p( rhaps if \vc ^avt; tlu;tn a little more peiuiiiK' sympathy, there would not be so much rooiu for fault findirig. What- ever ()i)inioiis we may hold as to the supcricjrity of cither party, we must certainly agree that each has df)ne pood. '* Honour to whom honour is due," is a Divine precept, which wc all do well to apj>ly in every wa'l: of life. \Vc speak of our railways and dock, our telegraph extension and steam communications ; and v.-e rejctici- in their conveniences and comfort. It is by these agencies that we are making such rapid advance towards a l)etter era in our history. But we seem to be losing sight of the name which was so prominently identified with the introduc- tion of our railway system, and to forget how bitter was the opposition to his measure. Our country's development lies in the operation of her railways, and whatever success attends these developments, will add lustre to the gentleman who first introduced the railway liill. Since that date — 1 88 1 — he has had many severe attacks in public life, and latterly deep bereavement in his family circle ; but he has lived to see the railway completed, and he now enjoys the |ile iia\c In ill I. lively fducalcd, aiul kept in toucii with the tvi'uis (»r ihc iiniii. 'riicir iiilhuiuc abroad has been iiislniiiKMital in .niousinn tiu- ntt(Mifi()n of those who over- lookrd us. \\v hail the liberty of the press, and wlulc a(:kno\\lc(l};in^all li\c bLiu'lils which we have derivcd,aiulstill are df'rivini; liuin it, we would all feel the belter, if its eolunins displayi^tl a little more regard for its contemporaries of thi' opposite side. True, the editors have difficult (lueslions to iliscuss, and in the heat of the moment they sometimes over-step the limits of proj)riety. Hut withal they have done a {;reat work, and are deserving the apj)rcciation and the su[)port of the pul)lic. Next to the editors may be ranked' the contributors to their cohinuis. 'I'hese persons are divided into two distinct classes; those who give their names, and those who avail themselves of the shield of a nom de plume. It is not necessary that a corres|)ondent should always write over his name, but many very able and scholarly articles are passed over by the reader, for no other reason than lack of the author's identity. Thus the loss becomes two-fold — the labour and ability of the author are unheeded, and the reader loses the benefit which such writings may contain. Then again we have those who fulfil the importar^t positions of correspondents for the leading English, Cana- dian, and American papers and magazines. These gentlv"*- men are doing a noble work. They have kept our country before the nation's eye, and have shown by their diligence and perseverance that Newfoundland is more than '* rock." The tidal wave of intercourse that is now setting in towards us, is in no small degree, due to the writings of these persons. Notwithstanding the rashness of some who have earned for themselves the unenviable sobri(}uet of " the •'1 I HE />.iit\v (!/■' THE rwEM H'.i II (/."A'/^v/r. M i «• I .:t;- (Itspiilfli fiend ;" iIr' rfsiill (iftlu-a- corrcsijon'lri.t-^ \> \ largely in (jur favcmr. 'I'lu y arc proinotrrs of the m.-nerjl | good, and every year their work, is Ijccoiniiij^ more (■ffL'-tual. i Terhaps to .s(hhc, tlieir efforts may not appear of any great i value ; but where duly considered, they are fully appreciated. 1 Ami now in closing, we wish to add a word or two in f relation to the dedication of this [)am[)h!et to His Excellency ! the (iovernor, and his wife, I.ady Mc("alliim. C)f late His I Excellency has been the subject of unnecessarily e\tr-n>e *! criticism Even his visitation to the outports has bt^en spc^ken lightly of. Those who have deemed it becoming to do so, have no doubt justified themselves in their own minds as to their action. They disa[)prove of the step, and have publish- ed their disapproval broadcast o'er the land, in their own journal. I ap[)r(n'e of the step, and express my approval by the same medium as they have done, i.e., by publishing it in my own pamphlet; and further by getting His E.xcel- Icncy's permission to dedicate this pamphlet to him. In the past we have enjoyed the rule of some able governors. They have done their duty well ; but they did not learn much of the real domestic history or social environments of the people. We are not unmindful that Governor Glover crossed the country, as did a Cormack. We are also mindful that I-ady Ijanncrman associated with the people in the commoner walks of life; and we recall with a|)proval all the good traits of those who have represented Her Majesty in this her oldest colony. Many good examples were shown by them ; but we think that our present Governor, Sir Henry McCallum, has out- stripped them all, during the short time he has been amongst us. His Excellency's attitude towards our brave sealers last spring surpasses any act of the kind by his predecessors. 3S 7'JIE Sir John \h\ l)ut Sir Hci in j)ro(essic ium of the upon the ict sj)eech he si countrymen seen them, hood. It w, people, and every impart Since th play the same the most im{ seeing for hi only by such taken in, and ities of the Is The cou visit, and the chord unbrok And now rests the verdi( reader to a gr( succeeded, an has taken. W for that end h< view, he sends 38 THE DAWN OF I IIK rWENriETII CENTURY. Sir John Ilawlt.')' Cilovoraiul others, visited our scaHng ships, hut Sir Henry McCalhini did niorc-hc assembled their crews in processional order and led the way to the spacious auditor- ium of tlie Prince of Wales Skating Rink, and there standing upon the ice, he addressed them in words inspiring. By his speech he showed that he was intent on the welfare of our countrymen ; and he also showed that before ever i " had seen them, he had read of their daring deeds and hardi- hood. It was His Excellency's first public act towards our people, and it must certainly have elicited the admiration of every impartial lover of his country. Since that time Mis Excellency has continued to dis- play the same magnanimous spirit by various actions. Of these the most important was that of visiting the outports, and seeing for himself the condition of the inhabitants- It is only by such means that the situation can be properly taken in, and the real necessities of the people, and peculiar- ities of the Island be learned. The country will be the better for His Excellency's visit, and the interest awakened thereby will long remain a chord unbroken. And now our tale is told, and with the reading public rests the verdict. If its sentiments will in anywise inspire the reader to a greater faith in the country, then the author has succeeded, and is sufficiently repaid for any pains wnich he has taken. What he has written is for the common good; for that end he has ever laboured, and with that object in view, he sends this pamphlet forth. r- ■; ■> w»; • .>• THE END. * ^ -» • I ►. , ' ',, i