The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1867-02-22
1drdntdges of the NeaV RailrOad.-
Manufacturing.

eastern Vermont. We referred briefly to
several interests, and among others, the
manufacturing that would be stimulated
along the streams, through section of
country as yet but partially developed, but
which the new road would at once open
up to the world, both east and west.
We do not believe the importance to
our state of encouraging manufacturing is
sufficiently felt. Far be it from us to de-
tract one iota from the Importance, or the
cnnobling work, of cultivating the soil.
Agriculture must always be the ground
work Of our national prosperity. Not
only must America raise products to feed
the millions of this land, but she is uti-
mately to be the granary Of the world, to
which the nations Of the earth will come
up to buy -four, as .Joseph's brethren went
into Egypt to buy corn. Already the ex-
port of breadstutfS from this country is
immense, and this must constantly increase
rs the vast territories are more and more
developed, and better cultivated.
Notwithstanding all this it is evident
that if Vermont would increase in wealth
and population equal to most of her sister
states, she must not rely too much upon
agriculture. but must give more attention
to manufacturing. Vermont cannot sue
cessfully compete with the fertile west in
raising wheat and corn. There the best
products grow almost without cultivation
the land is cheap, and it has not been
exhausted by successive crops Nor can
the west ever be SO favorable a locality for
manufactures as the east, because of the
water-powers, timber, and other natural
advantages that the latter has over the !
former.
There are at least two things wanting
to make Vermont Il firSt-class manufacture
ING state; and these are direct and cheap
transportation, and Yankee enterprise. |
The fact that we are remote from tide |
water, is more than compensated 10y the
numerous eXccllant water-powers, and the !
comparative cheapness of land, lumber. !
and living. In fact, of late years, the
large manufacturing establishments which |
formerly centercd about cities, are moving
back into the country, where there is more
room, and where raw material is cheaper
But let us look into statistics a little
it IS said that Figures won't lie:'' By the
census of 1860 we find the population of
Vermont to be 3l5, 900, scattered over
territory Of little over ten thousand
square miles. The value of her farms is
given at about ninety-four millions of dol
lars, with farming implements and ma
chinery to the amount of three and a-half
millions. The annual product of her
manufactures we find to be about fourteen
and a half millions Of dollars.
Compare these figures with those of
neighborng state, which gives more atten-
ton to manufactures: BY the census of
1860, Connecticut had a white population
of 100000, and an area of 1900 square
miles The cash value of her farms is put
at nlnety-one millions Of dollars, and the
farming machinery at some over two mil
lions. The annual products of her manu-
iactures, however, is e;yhy-tro millions of
dollars.
Look at these figures again: With d
territory Of less than one-half the extent
OF Ncrmont-money invested in agricul-
turc and farming implements about the
same, and population only one-third
larger, the annual product of the maniac
lures of Connecticut is SIR times greater than
that of Vermont
What is the result of this difference in
the industry Of the two states as respects
the increase of wealth in each 1t is
this: While in the last ten wears Yer
mont increased her wealth thirty-three per
cent, COnnecticut's gain was one hundred
and e,g1ty:tour per cent. The manufac-
lures OF Connecticut have increased rapid
ly since 1860, and we believe the next
census will show a contrast in favor of
that state Yet more striking than the above.
What should these figures teach Vernon
ters? Plainly this, that if we would in
crease our grand list, enhance the value Of
our farms, and grow in population, wealth
and influence, the resources Cf the state
must be developed-the water-powers i'm
proved, and the forests converted into ar
tlcles Of household or general use. The
effect OF such enterprise will be reciprocal.
The Interests of each individual man are
best promoted when all are prosperous.
But tor shall these latent resources be de-
veloped? By securing direct railroad
communication between the producer and
the consumer. VIII the people of this
section of Vermont heed the lesson?