Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-05
Country vs.. city.

That some very large fortunes are accu
INFLATED in cities no one will deny. That mos
Of these are made by investments in real es
tate, which rises rapidly in value as the cit,
becomes crowded, is equally true. That blu
few are made by simply buying and selling
merchandise is as well known as the other tw,
facts. That over ninety per cent. Of the mer
who attempt to live by simply trading in mer
chandise, fail once twice or thrice in theii
lifetime, is also a wcll-known fact
Nor docs the ease grow any better as tn,
| years roll away, and the cities become en-.
larged in area and population. Nor does the
increase in the demand for goods, or the al.
vance in prices, help the matter. As the city
becomes crowded, the tenomonts aud stores
carry up the rents many fold, and the cost Of
living is proportionally increased, while the
profits Of trade remain as before. Conse-
queuty the record Of failures is alarming.
and the suffering caused thereby awful to
contemplate.
Luxurious living, the direct offspring of
ample trading and the fashion Of large
town or city, disqualidos its volaries for bear
ing the rcvcrscs of fortune that must sooner
no more pitiable objects than are thrown up.
on it by the stagnation Of trade. And they
are not few. The history Of pauporism is the
inner history Of the commercial metropolis
Squalor, vice, nakedncss and starvation are
on the opposite side Of the gildcd picture that
lures so many thousands to social destruc.
ton.
Is it any better in the rural districts ? We
appeal TO the observation of every enlighten-
ed man or woman who has given thought
to the subject, whether vice and poverty exist
any where in the country in the proportion
that they do in the large cities. Where, in
the agricultural sections, do we find honest,
sober, industrious people ever wanting food.
clothing and iuel, and yet unable to buy then?
10 out into the most barren regions. and YOU
find people housed, fed and clothed so that
they suffer but little even in the coolest win
ters, while thousands are ubsistng by means
Of public or private charity in the large towns.
AT this moment the city of Boston is feeding
hundreds Of hard-working families daily, with |
cheap soup, and could we know as much of
New York and Philadelphia. Of Chicago. Gin. /
rinnati and St Louis as we do of Boston.
doubtless the facts would astonsh every body. |
.iilded wealth for the few bare competence
Tor the masses and bitter poverty for the
many, fill up the panorama of city ife.-
Wealth for the few, comfort for all aud pow
'rty Tor the least number, are exhibited in
Inc agricultural districts.
Does not the country, with its harder la
1ors, its robust health, its vigorous muscles
Is energetic will developed in overcoming
he rough elements Of nature, its solid com.
,etence, its varied enjoyment of the free air,
he free fields and forests, and the free wa.
ers, pay better than the brick blocks. the
tone pavements, the poisoned air, the impure
'ater, the crowded lanes, the thronged streets.
he everlasting noise, the endless self.denials
nd the shallow Injuries of the city? Let
5 see where the statistics Of want, vice so.
ial degradation and death are gathered.