Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-11-03
Reported ot the Traveller
Claremont q Merrimac Riv. X. z.
Speech of w. r. Lee, Esq.

Atu meeting OF the citizens Of Claremont,
held al the Town Hail. on Monday the l0th Of
October, for the purpose OF seeing what measures
shold be takenb the citizens 10 aid N the con-
siruct0n OF the ougcctcut 81 Mernmac Rivers
Railroad W r. lie, ESQ, was introduced to
the meeting, 10 whom they gave a very hearty
reception, and WHO then addressed them as fol-
JOYS;
Previous 20 my departure from Boston, 1t was
iuumateJ 10 me by some of my friends. and !
think / am justified ia SAYING 90 the citizens Of
Caremout, some OF our ircnls that might have
lhs honor, this evening, o. meeting You on a
public occasiou-and further, that II might be
expected of me to address you. In rising to
tender you my most grateful thanks for the very
Kind and fattcung manner in which you have
received me, wluch | do from my heart, beg
also 10 say, that II Is not my purpose TO make a
SCI and prepared speech, but simply to give ex-
preston To some thoughts naturally suggested by
the geographical position OF Claremont in rea-
ton 10 the extensive system Of Railroads with
Which II Is connected. This system extends
nortn aud south touching the Passumpsc andthe
upper waters of the noble rlyer, which flows al
most at our feet, and tracing ats path IN the op-
p1slte direction to the shores Of Long Island
Sound, which It follows, until II terminates IN the
heart of the great commercial emporium OF our
nsucut river we find il covering and including
two lines across the State OF Vermont touching
South Royalton, Mortified, Montpelier, the cap
iial OF the State, striking Lake Champaln at
Burlington, and the ives tern shore Of Grand Isle
County, opposite Rouse's Pom, IN New York,
having raj connections leading to Montreal and
Ordensburg on Lake Ontario opening to It. as
source of trade. the fertile wheat-growlug lands
Of Canada and the vast regions Of the West,
surrounded by naylgable waters, which naturally
OF artlticaly mlngle with those which wash the
shores of Ontario This system Of improvement
west of the Connecticut has two branches IN
some respects distinct, and IN others, comp aung
as customers for the same trahc. ! have already
called your attention 10 that branch Of 1t which
commences It's westernward course some twenty
miles north OF This point, where White Rrer
loins It's stream with that OF the Connecticut.
Passing sOulh fiom the Point on which we
stand some eighteen miles, 90 Bellows Falls, we
hnd the commencement OF the other branch OF
the sy ten, which runs west This branch,
touching Ludlow Rutland Brandon and Md
deburv. aud embracing district of the State,
separate and distinct from the no.lhern branch,
strikes like thatihe town Of Burlington, on Lake
Chlnplaln, where by water communication
across the Lake, Il continues the connection with
Montreal over the \. Y. 4 Montreal Railroad
iron Plausburg or with the CLASSY waters oi
Lake George by way of Lake Chanpain. or
running further South connects with Saratoga
and "a estern New York.
This branch, al Rutland, has dyerging ra'l
connections, in a Soulhwesterly direction 10
Troy where the Erie canal lays down lis mighty
and uch tribute, 70 be distributed as II shall be
sought for by the energy and enterprise OF the
carrier, and also connecting with the floating
palaces Of the Hudson River, aud the rail line
which terminals in New York city.
Now, Mr.. Chairman. tins grand system OF
rail IutercOmmunlcatlon, which die energy ana
wealth OF our citizens has constructed so per
manenty aud durably on the soil OF the neigh
boring States OF Vermont and New York, lnclud-
ing the Vermont Central, The Rutland aud the
Ogdensburgh Railroads, and which has IN the
aggregate involved the expenditure ofno less a
SUN than S2OO0O,OOO, has failed to realize the
hopes and expectations OF It's projectors
While il has contributed largely and beautifully
TO the wealth of Vermont and her population, IN
developing her agricultural resources, made
waste land a smiling field Of harvest PROMISE
promoted social enjoyment, and, Mr. Chairman
tins is not the least benefit of an improved system
otlnter communication, and bestowed all the adj
yantages which have everywhere followed the
Construction of railroads, to communities where
mey exist Doing all their appropriate good 10
ue public, performing their functions as puollO
servants, yet those Who have lavlshly gwen
their means 10 do all this practical good, winch
Is palpaby evidenced 10 our minds, are at tl,ls
moment unrewarded IN uie slightest degree ioi
their expenditure aud SACRIFICES, 50 far as then
private benefit is concerned 10 them the prop
eTty Is dead loss, worthless investment.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, beg 10 sub
mt 10 the common sense and intelligence OF ev'
cry man who is in the compass u my voice, OF
who will give onehalf hours reflection 10 the sub
jet, this simple proposition. Can community
prosper IN any comprehensive sense II The trail
nc which prevails among its members, be exclu-
sNey for the benefit of one partyI Can such a
uaihe live and flourish for the general good :
van It not sooner or later anguish and finally
ae out Tor the want of that reciprocity, which Is
he source and growth of its belngi know you
WI assent to this proposition with determined
u voice ask you then to apply the facts IN the
history Of the Vermont railroads to the PROPOSE
uon which have stated, and ask yourselves II
hey do not give it force of extraordinary
strength Is II possible, that system, created
loF the public good, can be best, or even wei
served, except, that in It's Development, a cor
responding benefit is bestowed upon the agents
VINO call II into practical exercise? Must you