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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��most of its contents obtained a per- manent place in English literature. The Gift was printed when my office was in a wooden building standing where is now Eagle Hall."
It was as the editor of the Statesman that Mr. McFarland attained the high estimation ill which he was held by his fellow-citizen's, and it was not until just past the meridian of his years that he undertook that responsibility. In July, 1844, at the outset of a memorable presidential campaign, the \\'higs rally- ing around their great standard-bearer, Henry Glay, the Statesman became the property of Geo. O. Odlin & Co., and Mr. McFarlaiid undertook its po- litical control. He was also made chairman of the Whig State Commit- tee, which place he filled three years — i844-'46. Into this cam- jjaign he threw all his energy, with little hope, however, of the success of the Whig electors in New Hampshire ; and to his deep disap- pointment Mr. Clay lost the Presiden- cy, becaiiiiie of the votes of a factional party in the state of New York. The Statesman, when it came under Mr. McFarland's control established as its platform the " American doc- trine," as promulgated and championed l>y Henry Clay, — " the protection of American indiistry, judicious internal improvements, economical expendi- tures, strict accountability of public servants, ecjual and exact justice to all men, liberty without license, no exten- sion of slavery into new territory, and by all prb]:)er means its extinction where existing;"^ a noble political platform. As to its local purposes, the editor averred that, so far as controlled by him, the Statesman " should not be "a medium for mischievous men to wan- tonly attack, or utter ill-will against, others ; that it should exert a healthful moral influence^ be kept clear of the isms, crotchets and humbugs of the day, and ■that its aims should be sanc- tioned by ah enlightened patriotism."
From this time onward the States- man led the other journals in the state in advocacy of all proper enterprises.
��It pleaded for the *' right of way " for public thoroughfares, and. the granting of inducements for foreign capital to develop the resources of the state by railways, canals and factories. As early as 1853 it championed railway communication to the Pacific. It also urged an appropriation by the commonwealth for an accurate map of the state to exhibit its water-power.
Mr. McFarland was earnest in urging a city charter for Concord, and a la- borer in securing its adoption. He was of the committee to divide the town into wards, — a work so justly ef- fected that it has stood for thirty-five years, and Concord (alone of our cities) has never tinkered the outlines of its wards. He wrought for the best educa- tional facilities — material and mental ; the public library, and a library build- ing ; steam fire-engines, street lighting, sewerage, good public buildings, and a picturesque cemetery. Notable among his efforts for the benefit of the city were those for the introduction of Long Pond water. This project was discussed for years, amid many dis- couragements, until to his and every citizen's great gratification, the city has an abundance of water, superior to that of any other municipality in the state. It is confidently believed that the primary honor for this great blessing belongs to Asa McFarland. For his zeal in every like good work, he was often spoken of as the most progres- sive man north of •' Smoky Hollow." He was always interested in the erec- tion of substantial church edifices, or the improvement of existing ones, with complete outfit of organ and conven- iences. He delighted to seek an emi- nence overlooking the city to admire its church spires and listen to the mu- sic of the bells. The sound of the church-going bell was a delight to him — as the muezzin is to the faithful Mo'- hammedan — a notification of the hour of prayer and worship. He was a lover of sacred melody, and entered with zest and the spirit of true worship into sacred song, led by the grand tones of the organ.
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