West India Islands, and the returns were mostly in rum and in
molasses, to be converted into rum by our own distilleries, of
which there were many among us, in various parts of the
State--seven of them in this city, running night and day. This rum,
almost the whole of it, whether imported or home-made, was consumed
among our own people. It was sent in the way of trade and in
exchange for "lumber" into every part of our territory; not a town
or village, or rural district escaped, however remote or thinly
populated it might be.

The result of this was, that almost the entire value of all this
vast industry went down the throats of our people in the shape of
rum, either imported or home-made. I have heard men say who had
been extensively engaged in this lumber trade, that Maine is not a
dollar the richer, and never was, on account of this immense
business; but that the people were poorer in consequence of it, and
more miserable than they would have been if the pine forests had
been swept away by a great conflagration.

The effects of this course of trade were seen everywhere throughout
the State. In scarcely any part of it was there any evidence of
business prosperity or thrift, but, generally, there was abundant
evidence of poverty, untidiness and decay. In the lumbering towns
and villages, where the innumerable saw-mills were, the greatest
bustle and activity prevailed. The air resounded with the loud
noises coming from these mills. Night and day they were "run,"
never ceasing until the "logs" were "worked up." Relays of hands
were employed at all these lumbering centres, so that the saw-mills
never stopped even for an hour during "the season," except for some
occasional repairs. All these men drank rum; a quart a day per man