Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-05-12
out aoDoentr.
FRIDAY, My 10, 1S43.
Rail. ROADS,

RAIL ROADS.
1t is sometimes objected TO Rail Roads, that they
cheaper agricultural produce, and therefore injure
the farmer. The great Western Rail Road, it is
said, facilitates transportation that the farmers
of the west, whose lands fertile and easy of cul
tivation, can bring their produce to the Boston
market, for instance, and sell it at lower price
than the Vermont farmer can afford to do. In fact
it cost the farmers in the middle districts of Yer
mont much TO transport their produce TO market,
in many instances, il will bring when there
That the Rail Roads, which bring the rich lands of
the west into close proximity TO Boston, tend great
y to diminish the price of agricultural products,
and thus TO injure the business of the farmers of
New England, and especially of Vermont, there
can be no question. But must consider the gem
eral good of the country, well the welfare of
part While the farmers of New England are injured
the farmers of the west benefited. Moreover the
number of consumers is greater than that of pro-
ducers These have the benefit [of the reduced
prices of articles of consumption. Then again if
Rail Roads facilitate the transportation of produce
from the fertile lands OF the west, they also facilitate
the transportation of the manufactures of New Eng
land to the western farmers. If they can raise
corn and wheat and cattle and swine more easily
at the west than at the East, so can we in
New England, manufacture more successfully than
they the necessary implements of husbandry, arti-
cles of furniture, and materials for clothing the
body. So that our manufactures may be exchanged
for their agricultural products TO the mutual advan
tage of both parties. Moreover this ready commu-
nication with the west will be effectual antidote
to those Financial operations of spectators in
flour, pork butter &c. which few years ago were
a great and sore evil to the consumers of those
ticles. If now by chance there should happen TO
be scarcity of any importan; staple of agrlcul-
tura produce in one of our cities or large towns in
New England, spectators would have but little
chance TO ''raise the wind for very short time
ly would be required TO supply the market with the
needed article Furthermore, as our Government
have yet refused TO establish National Bank,
or an Exchequer, to regulate the currency of the
country, it is fortunate that this object can be in
part at least effected by the rapid and frequent in
accommodation of distant parts of the Union by
means of Rail Roads, and Steam navigation.
And we lock to this neutrality-suspicious. he
tween different sections of the country, by which
those of opposing interests, and clashing opinions,
and various pursuits, maybe brought into frequent
contact one, of the most efiectual means of al
conflicting opinions and interests.
But grant that Vermont is now injured in her
business by Rail Roads what shall we do How
can we help ourselves' In what way can we remedy
the evil Certainly notify decrying them. Say what
we will, we cannot stop them. Their course is on
ward. The only course left for us seems to be to
avail ourselves of their advantages We must not
suffer ourselves 10 be left behind in the great race of
J physical improvements We must enter the lists
with our neghbors ofother states, and with them win
at least part of the golden prize. Let rail road be
extended from Boston through Fitchburg TO Connec-
tcut River, then extended up the rich valley of this
river, and also the mountain TO Lake George
or Champain, and the mineral and the agricultu-
raj resources Of Vermont will Immediately be deve-
oped and her thousand streams ere long be boIdered
with fourshing villages of industrious and intel
lgent mechanics. 1t is plain to be seen that with
out this means of communicating with City Mar
ket our manufactures and our agriculture must
certainly lOnguish. AT present the cost of trans
portation is great, that manufacturers here can
not compete successfully with those who live near
a Rail Road leading to market Hence they will
desert this part of the country and establish them
selves in more favorable locations. The same will
be the case with our young men who intend TO fol-
low agriculture as pursuit. Let Vermont then
open her eyes to her true interest," and before 1t is
too late secure cheap and expeditions mode of
transportation to the City of Boston.