Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-01
Power of Good and Generous Men.

NNNH-
A correspondent of the Chronicle in re-
viewing the Congregational State Convention,
lately held at St. Johnsbury, says Of that
town:
aFor many couvenicnces and adornments, the Village
Il indebted to the Fairbanks family. Though only one
Of the three brothers is living their children remain
not only enjoy the wealth that had been accumulated
hut to exercise rare financial ability, and to enjoy the
luxury ofdoing good"
The good example and influence Of the
Fairbanks brothers, which lives aud expands
after they are gone, is uniformly acknowledge
ed, not only by the people of st. Johnsbury,
but of the whole State; but we do not think
it begins to be appreciated at its full value.
1t is not merely in respect to their immense
business, conducted with so much system and
practical Christian benevolence nor is il
alone BY their uniform efforts in behalf Of the
specific objects of public education, churches,
streets. parks, fountains and the like, that
they should be regarded as public benelac.
tors. The benign influence Of such men can
not be fully estimated. 1t falls, like the rains
of heaven upon the just and the unjust. 1t
pertains to everything. The standard of in
telligence is elevated-the public morals are
puri6ed-the value of property is enhanced
Happy is that community which has such
large-hearted men in its midst Let all mi
nor defects be overlooked, and let them he
cherished as one of heavens noblest gifts.
In this instance one of the pleasantost ica'
lures of the case is furnished by the fact that
the mantle Of the fathers has fallen upon the
sons, and that they, with their increased ia
cilities and opportunities for doing good, are
deyising even more liberal things whereby
they may beautiiy and bless the town anC
community in which they live.
Thoughts kindred to these are forced up
on us every time we visit the Furnishing tow
Of Bennington---a town making more rapiC
progress in respect to business enterprise and
thrift than any other in Vermont we venture
to say. With no extraordinary advantages
III IcspVcN 10 NdtVT-poNtIi anu loI tNo Year.
almost cut off from market, we see, neyerthe
less, factories and shops for the various me
chanical pursuits springing up on every hand
free lecture halls built, and extensive publ,
libraries furnished ; numerous fine residences
erected; new churches organized; additions
and improved schools devised and last but
not least, direct highway to the best market
in the world on the eve Of completion. As a
Legitimate consequence, large additions arc
being made to the population--and of the best
class--for they are attracted thither by the
advantages of business, and mental and NOR
al instruction. And this prosperity comes in
good part through the noble generosity of a
single man of wealth-Hon. I. W. PARK
WHO'S building for himself monument in the
hearts of that whole people which shall be
fresh and fragrant generations after the names
Of other men, Of equal wealth, shall have been
forgotten.
We cannot forbcar the reflection that there
is crying demand for such service, and am
pie room for such monuments, in this commu
nity