Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-08-30
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE yER-
MONT PHTNIX.

rALhkR, Mass, Aug. 10Th, 1856.
Ma. EDlToR;-Having to wait here three or
four hours for train to arrive, | find no better
way 10 solace the iejun Of the delay. than to
indale a somewhat inve,eraie propensity for
writing.
This is one Of the many New England vii
lagos that have sprung into existence within
the las. duzen years, under the influence Of
railroads. 1t is situated on the Western Rail-
road, and is also the point Of union betaeen
the Amherst and Belcher,own r. r., and the
New London, Willimaniic & Palmer r. R.
The characteristics Of railroad villages are
therefore impressed upon it with more than or
dinary distinciuess. The chief business Of the
place seems to be providing for the wants Of
travellers. Hard by the depo, are two huge
hotels-lhe Nassowanno and the Zockwo,ion,
both Of them handsome brick buildings, and
either Of them large enough to accommodate
all the travelling public that ordinarily need To
be accommodated here. little farther Off is
a smaller hotel, called the Antique, probably
because there is nothing antique about il. Be-
sides these, signs Of Refreshments" meet The
eye at the doors Of sundry less preientious ed
lhces, SO that IL any one fails 10 find suitable
provisions for the inner man, i, must be his own
fault.
There are two other villages 10 this town
that owe their exlsteHce, or at any rate, their
growth TO railroad influence. Thorndikc aud
Three Rivers are manufacturing villages. the
former Of them the largest. Three Rivers is
three miles from this place on the Amherst q
Belcheuown r. X. Il derives its name from
the Swift. Ware and Chieopee Rivers at the
Junction Of which il is situated, and which fur
nlsh an excellent water-power From the an
gle formed by tho Junction Of these rivers, the
tract Of land in that vicinity was formerly cali
ed 'ihe Elbows" by which name, indeed, the
whole township is frequently designated in tho
old records.
The original settlers Of the town were Of
the same " Scotch Irish" race who founded
Londonderry, n. H., and some OF whom set
tied in Pelham, Coleraine, and few other
towns in Massachusetts. In the records Of the
town are to be found abundent evidences of the
patriotism, selfsacrihce and other sturdy vir-
tues by which the early settlers were ds,n-
guished. Wilson, the historian Of the town,
says that the cilizens Of Palmer made Decla-
ration Of Independence seventeen days before
ii was declared by Congress. His desire to
DO credit 10 the town led him, however, to
overstale the act which he calls a Declaration
Of Independence. Curiosity 10 ,erify OF dis
prove statement so important il true, induced
me to make search among the ancient records
Of Ihe town, in doing which had the good
fortune 10 6nd the very document on which his
assertion was founded. It was adopted at
town meeting as instructions to the Represen-
ialivo Of the town in the General Assembly,
and was not so much Of a Declaration OF In
dependence, as declaration that lndepen !ence
ought to be declared. The spelling and rhei-
oric are liable 10 criticism but the spirit which
inspired it is worthy Of all praise. After
manly recital Of wrongs received and rights
denied a, the hand of the mother country. il
proceeded to declare tina, 1--WE do Believe it
Absolutely Necessary for the Safety Of The Uni
led Colonies to BE Independent FROM Great
Britain, and to Declair them Selves an Inde-
pendent and Separate State. as we can Sc no
alternative bui Inevitable Ruin or Indepen-
denc,." 1t concludes by saying that if Con-
gress shall decide on separation from Great
Britain, the citizens of Palmer will maintain
the independence of the colonies with their
lives and fortunes.
This act, though falling short Of Deelara-
tion Of independence, deserves to be held ia
perpetual remembrance by the decendanls Of
the heroic men who adopted it. il was the
act of men who felt that
"Tis Liberty alone that gives the flower
OF heeting life its lustre and perfume,
And we are weeds without it, all constraint,
Except what wisdom lays on evil men,
Is evil, and forms in them who suffer 1t
A sordid mind, unfit to be the tenant
Of mans noble frame"
P. H.W.