Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-10-16
IRiSBURGH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER l6. 1851.
Montpelier and Memphremagog
Railway.

Montpelier to the head of MemPhrema-
cog. Il is seldom that any great public
enterprise is proposed without encoun-
tering more or less of the 'sneers and mis-
givings Of the skeptic, or the open hostlli-
ty of persons adversely interested. We
had anticipated such indications IN re-
ference to the project above referred to,
and we are gratifed in being able to say
that thus far such anticipations have been
in no sense realized. Instead thereof
from day to day, and from week to week
the project has commended itself more
and more TO public favor, and taken a
stronger and deeper hold on public faith.
Not only in the vicinity Of the route is
the fact noted, but in the cities and large
towns proximinately interested the pub
lie Journals name it As good news to
.noaa anu ,ucrv tue Signs auguT that
when more substantial proof Of their good
will shall be needed, it will be forth
coming. On the route men think about
it, not lightly, but soberiy, earnestly, as if
it were a subject worthy of consideration
and give their thoughts utterance to their
fellow men. Thus has discussion been
elected. an interest been awakened, and
men have been constrained to feel the
weight of their purses, and calculate the
chances Of individual as well as public
profit and loss. Among the results of
these demonstrations it is said by some
who claim ground for their faith, that one
half and by others it is claimed that two
thirds Of the stock needed for the con-
struction Of the road will be taken on the
route
The LAY ofthe land" and the nature
Of the soil, are conceded to be eminently
favorable to the construction Of a iO1C-
priced and durable road. 1t is also con-
ceded that very material advantages
would enure to other connecting railways
and to remote cities to which such con-
Meeting railways tend, by the operation
Of the one proposed.
Notice has already been given that aP-
phcation will be made to the present ses.
sion Of our Legislature for an act of In
corporation Of a company for its construe-
ton. Such an act viii doubtless pass
with but little or no opposition. Such In
cipient steps are easy to be made. After
these comes a more formidable one, thai
of collecting subscriptions for the stocks
For this end the present is an unpro
pitious period. The extraordinary strin
gency that just now prevades the money
markets, has given TO " the body of the
times form and prepure" unfavorabIi
to the contracting Of new engagements
Its tendency will be to make men eau
tious, over cautious and timid for the mo
ment. 1t brings contraction Of individual
purse strings, il affords time fer reflection
and calculation, and it is premonitory c
the sober second though" Nevertheless
capital will not long remain pent up
will seek employment, and we apprehen
il will do so for much time to come
nearer its own yicinage than it has don
in many years that are past. When tn
eastern capitalist looks over the vast wi
derness Of the west for cities which h
money has gone to create or adorn, an
finds them to be the merest Of air
nothings; when be sees the impracticabil
ty in a pinch of selling lands at SO an
$50 dollars per acre, while the govern
ment offers adjoining lands, equally il
wiling, for one dollar and a quarter pr
acre he will conclude that his none
may be more safely, or at any rate mol
wisely invested even in railways at HON
When the farmer finds, and on trial /
will find, that the money for which
sells his farm and the comforts appurt
nant, in the east, will not seem to hi
the same measure of comfortable esta
lshment in the west, and that neith
west. nor anywhere can he thrive on Il
production of wheat at fifty and sixt
cents per bushel, he will conclude he hl
best remain with his capital in his natil
State, and seek by improving her mea
oftransit, the acquisition Of more. {
these grounds, for New England at lea
we are half inclined TO regard the prese
money grip as a God-send. When t
tightness shall have relaxed, and oppC
tunity shall be offered for investment
home such as will yield, if nothing
rectly, yet indirectly a fair, reasonal
and certain equivalent, we shall look W
hope, and faith, for the Inauguration
the proposed railway. The time for t
happening of these events, We will und,
take to predict, as Almanac makers
will be "about these days" at any re-
not far remote.