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


4 receive notice intended for this paper
r calling a railroad meeting at this place
i April lth Posters were distributed
however, and Notwithstanding the baC
E state Of the travelling, large number Of
+ citizens assembled at the town hall OF
Thursday afternoon Horace Fairbanks
Esq, called the meeting to order, and OF
motion Of iona. Ross, Esq, Hon. Calvin
r Morrill, was chosen chairman, and Messrs
\. ii. Eaton and c. NJ. Stone. secreta,
: rics.
= On taking the chair. Mr.. Morrill, said
that the principal speaker, on whom they
had relied mainly for this meeting, Hon
, [. ". WllIarD had disappointed them.
An important suit had unexpectedly de-
tanned him at Montpelier. But although
disappointed by Mr.. Wizards non-appear-
ance. they hoped to fill up the time with
local speakers to the acceptance of the au-
dlence and he called upon j. d. Stod-
dard, ESD, 10 address the convention
Mr.. Stoddard said that he came before
that large assembly with reluctance. not
having prepared a set speech but he was
willing to do anything he could to aud an
enterprise which he considered of such Vi
tai importance to Vermont as the one in
contemplation. He said theory would
not build railroads but TO complete such
an enterprise as this, money and labor
was necessary. Some seemed staggered
at the proportions of the work laid out.
He had learned by the experience of the
past few years, that when a large portion
OF any community trijod anything they
accomplished It. Ii they unite in this en-
terpriSe, they can carry it through. In
II" s.mo IN the history Of Vermont did he
believe there was so important Il question
before 1t as this. Mr.. StodIard spoke at
length OF the advantages this enterprise
would be to postcrity-of the influence it
would have in settling our sons at home
OF preventing emigration, and increasing
the population as well as the wealth of
Vermont. He kept in view the impor-
tant fact that this road was but a link in
a chain Of trunk railway which was event
uaIiy TO be one OF the great thoroughiares
OF the country-and he would not contine
his views to its mere local advantages TO
nartl!-eastern Vermont, but take a broad
view OF It's general advantages to the en-
tire state and country. He spoke of the
western connection with the northern Pa
ciiic railroad, and believed that ere lone
the attention Of congress would be direct
ed to the Importance Of having the gov
ernment do something to hasten the COM
pletlOn OF tie Northern as it has the
Central Pacific railroad When this link
between Montpelier and Portland was
completed, he believed its effect upon our
state would be such that Vermont would
not only he good state to be born in, as
Mr.. Douglass said, but a good state to
live in and die in.
+. {. Rcdington, Esq, was next called
ont, He said he would occupy but few
moments time, and would confne himself
to one point. He said it was not ques
ton with him whether this road would
put few dollars more or less in his pock-
ct, or the pocket Of his neichbor. This
road would be a lasting benefit to every
man in this entire section, no matter
where he lived and for that reason he
would urge it with his whole heart and
strength. Mr. II. spoke for about five
minutes, forcibly and to the point.
lie chairman OF the meeting then arose
and sad substantially, that some years AGO
there had been little feeling encendered
III the town of Danyille against St. Johns
bury, brought about in connection with
the removal of the county buildings to this
place 1t was now proposed to forever
forget past differences, and unite the two
towns together so closely as iron rails and
cedar ties could bind them: and he would
call upon llon. Bliss y. Davis of Dan
Vile TO state If his town was ready to
bury the hatchet'' on these terms.
Mr. Davis took the stand amid much
applause, and after intimating that those
were just the terms on which Danville
stood ready to settle old scores. he pro-
ceeded at length to argue for the new en-
terprise. He said this road from Mont
pelier to st. Johnsbury was something
very much needed, and if the people who
are to benefited by it so determined. thew
could have it. This road was to be of