The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1867-04-12

day were its character political Our cor
porations are more despotic, dishonest, and
irresponsible than in any other country OF
the civilized world. Our politicians, OF
whatever party, repeat the old phrases In
dicatlve OF mistrust of corporations; vet
we find the latter controlling entire states
electing their own legislatures and mem-
bers of congress, demoralizing voters, and
exercising other dangerous privileges, in
utter defiance of the public interest. We
are silent under impositions OF this kind
which would raise a popular tempest in
many countries of Europe.
Whatever may be our theory, Gt is
doubtful, indeed, whether We have any
our practice appears to be based on the
idea that the corporations into whose pow
erful hands are confided our travel and the
facilities of our business are not the ser
wants, but the benefactors, of the people.
We are swift TO create them. we gener-
ously load them with privileges, and we
require mere shadow of obligation in
return Sometimes, when a specially
frightful accident occurs, we establish 4
single rule whereby that particular form
of accident may be prevented, but we
neglect the comprehensive legislation
which should protect the public against
dangers and impositions of all kinds. The
shock of catastrophe makes but Il tenn
porary ripple on the swift, seething, i'm
petuous current of our life. The c9mpe-
ttion upon which our legislators fondly re-
lied for our protection is slowly transform
ing itself into a gigantic system OF cOmbu,a-
ton, in railroad, telegraph, and express
business, against which the public is pow
erless 1t is time that the balance were
restored. Except in the case of tie Pa
cific railroads, the need OF encouraging
and specially supporting these great phys
ical enterprises Is past. and those which
have been built up by a contiding generos-
ity should be called upon TO fulfil, at least,
their most obvious duties.
Our Anglo-Sa race, with all Its
sound and sterling qualities, possesses less
grace and courtesy than amy other of the
civilized families of men. To the un-
taught American mind courtesy implies L
certain degree OF scrvllity. With the half
cultivation of large portion OF our pop
ulation, one could scarcely expect TO find
the virtue generally developed but the
absence of it, in our public intercourse, Is
an unpleasant fact. From the ret,,urue,r.
who, thrusting his hand over Your shoul-
der for Il dollar, silently and contemptu-
ously smiles at your imbecility in demand
ing 10 be served. 10 the conductor who
don't know how long the train Will bc de-
llyed, nor what Is the nature OF the acci-
dent, (what right have You 10 ask y and
the boy who fllS your lap every five min
uicS with hiheouS novels. and Swc;,rS if
YOU let them drop on the floor, the Amer
lean public iS constantly reminded that il
Is an interior institution. \ large portion
OF ii seems 10 have mcekly accepted the
low estimate of lis temporary rulers; at
least, the exceptions are not Vet frequent
enough to have produced any change. Ii
may be human nature for conductor or
uckct-agent to become irritable at the
milIionth repetition of the same question !;
but the man who cannot subdue his nature
10 what it works in Is not the proper man
tor lis place.
We have succeeded 50 tar-and it is our
chief national glor.-in the creation and
development OF I people, that these fea-
lures of our life show the more glaringly
against the broad background of our civil
ization. The character OF or travel *
not only below the requirements of the
public, but below the standard of our
average physical progress. 1t has not kept
pace with the growth of the nation in
taste, in refinement. and in the comforts
and convenienees OF private life. In pro-
portion As the hands by which it is direct
ed have increased i'll power, they have
used that power with diminishing regard
for the rights of those who gave it. 1t Is
time that the rude pioneer phase, which
accommodates itself TO everything, should
come to an end The educational iniiu-
ences of travel are SO important, that we
should seek 10 make it attractive but we
shall be satisfied when it shall be 80 i'm
proved as to be no longer, as now, a nee
essary annoyance.