Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-08
9atrtman & Stair Juurnal.
BY B,P. WALTON
MONTPELIER. SEPT. 8, 1865.
VERMONT AND HER PEOPLE.

/ bhDONl AMI E1Eh EOt LID
The following deserved tribute to Vermont
appeared in letter from Brattleboro' by a
correspondent Of the Louisville Daily Union
Press. 1t not only tells the truth about our
noble state, but intimates, in a kindly man.
ner, some things that it will be we'll for the
south, for it's own sake to consider and
initiate:
On the edge Of Vermont, it is easy, in
Imagination, to take in the entire state. The
view is fine one. and suggestive Also
Stretching up to the Canada line, divided BY
the noble Green Mountain range, are flourish
ing cities, none Of them large ; prosperous
and beautifully located villages, numberless
hills, with their focks and herds, extensive
and fertile farms, and Aoutishing manufacto-
ries. The region is well filed with well
distributed and intelligent population. There
is DO pauperism, and little poverty. 1t would
be hard 10 ind native, or an American, who
cannot both read and write and a ma ority
Of the people are second to none in this or
any other land in general intelligence and
culture. Everywhere law is respected or
der kept, and tie standard Of morals strict,
| but not austere.
The equality which obtains in the social
| position Is on a high level. It has come of
building up and not Of keeping down Of
the absence of any arbitrary distinctions of
| class, any srstocracy Of wealth or fashion,
or artificial position. Respect and influence
must be earned by culture and noble living /;
they cannot be inherited; they are not grant
ed to the aspiring, the vulgar or the vicious.
In single word Vermont is grand mani
festston Of the working Of true democracy,
not only politically, but also socially, and in
regard to industrial pursuits. Its general
I pros perity is mainly to be traced to the inhu-
euce Of free labor, free schools-truly free
institutions Of all kinds, and the honor given
to man as man.
| In the natural advantages Of soil and cli-
mate, in the possession Of capital and the
( facilities for trade and commerce, it is sur
passed by other states, but in everything
which trains men and women in all hat real
/ y ennobles humanity and gives to all fair
chance to i've the truest lives, it has no rival.
Hence Vermont, particularly at this juno
ture, is worth studying, where organic chan
ges have now become a necessity, to teach
prejudice itself that the boldest trial Of dem
ocratic ideas is perfectly safe, and conducive
to the greatest happiness of the greatest
I number and the largest granting of the
rights of citizenship sad the privileges Of ed
ucstion is the wise policy of the wisest con-
seIvatism. Vermont has not made much
noise in the republic. II has never been
ooastful of self-asserting. Its star on the ma
I tional banner has shown with a serene steady
/ light IL has made no pre,ensions, INDUCED
/ in no dictation. Satisfied with its prosper
| Gus lat, il has not been denounced for its ia
nsticism or its radicalism; and only where
I ignorance and passion and folly sneer, with
ridiculous generalization and sectional hate, at
! New England as q whole, does it come in for
any share Of the viiuperation poured out up
on the eAstern-most Yankees.
| But Vermont has done it's own thinking
ever since it became Common wealth, and it
rejoices in a remarkable unanimity Of public
sentiment. The Green Mountain folks have
clear heads as well as brave hearts and stout
hands. They are republicans from conviction
! and can give reasons for the liberal political
faith they profess and practice
Hence the war found their loyalty ready
to stand by the flag and uphold The Govern
ment and preserve the Union, without max
ing con iitions or asking TO know, before
springing to arms, anything more than that
ungr4teful, unreasonable and arrogant treas
on had assaulted the integrity Of the nation,
for the purpose Of exalting he few and keep
ing the many oppressed How faithfully they
have obey ed their principles, and fought for
the safety Of the whole land-the far OF
graves on numerous battle-6elds wherein their
/ heroes aIe buried. and the households at
home that proudly mourn the loved, who
have Died for their country and the right,
testify beyond all dispute.
This truthful tribute paid to a noble State,
may lead those whom it may concern to make
Comparisons and draw therefrom valuable in
ferences for practical use. One remark how
ever, may be ventured by an outsider. II the
middle class at the South, the middlein9 in
terest, those who have not been large land
owners and lords Of serf.tlled extensive plant
ations, could only travel with obsetvaus eyes
and teachable minds through Vermont, they
would very likely come to the conclusion
that their condition would not be the worse,
we're its democrscy-the genuine article
initiated pretty closely, down towards the
Gulf and along the shores OF the Father Of
Waters and his tributary children. g.