Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-20

ing during their tour to excel the latter
gentleman in their speeches, but he had
to-day conquered us all, and the victory
must be yielded to him. He felt an in
terest in the construction of this road as
a citizen of Rutland, and had yet to learn
that there was any division OF opinion
among the people of that town, in re-
ference to building the Addison County
Railroad, and the benefits to be derived
to its business. Railroads were the great
ciyilizers of the age, and the construction
of the Pacific railroad, linking the oceans
together by net work of iron, had so
developed the great interests Of the ma
ton that it had forced all parts Of the
country to railway extension. The
United States exceeded all the nations in
extending the net work of railroads. Our
railroads have scaled mountains, spanned
the uninhabited plains, and opened our
vast territory for human habitation, which
but for them would have forever re-
manned closed against civilization. This
spirit had spread to our little ialand
State, and the people were busy on every
hand in reference to providing themselves
with railway facilities. The people on
orr northern border were fully aroused,
and Western Vermont was canvassing
many projected lines. In the early his
tory of building railroads in our State we
relied upon the energy and enterprise of
some leading men, who went forward and
gave us the two central lines traversing
the eastern and western borders. Many
other connecting links had been put in,
leading to the great markets. In accom-
plishing these results, they had sacrificed
their lives and their fortunes, and had
almost filled paupers graves. The day OF
individual sacrifice for public improve
ments had passed, and the people were
called upon, if they desired improvements,
to help themselves. In this view the
State had, by liberal legislation to
meet this new state of affairs, granted
the power to town corporations with
the consent. of the people, to aid in
the construction of railroads. Whatever
objections might be urged to the bonding
system, it had now become the settled
policy of the State, and no railroads
would be built without such or similar
aid from the people, who were to beibene-
fitted by these improvements. In the
future this principle would be still more
extended in reference to public improve
ments other than railroads. The princi-
pie in itself was right, for it imposed an
equal tax upon all, according to their as
sessed valuation. Every man shared
alike in the benefits that accrued to the
community; every mans property was
increased in value, his wages raised, and
his products brought higher price. This
contribution made in equal proportion
for public improvement, was duty the
citizen owed to his fellows and the COM
munity in which he had his residence and
property. The people of Bridport had
only to put their shoulders to the wheel,
according to their assessed valuation, and
this road was to them reality, and an
assured fact, placing them on the high
way of progress and prosperity.
Col William E. Calkins of Ticonderoga
was called ont. He said no had been fol-
lowing this party around TO see what
rumpus they were kicking up, and this
being called out on every occasion ought
to come within the provisions of the
statute for the punishment of cruelty to
animals. He proceeded to give a sketch
of the history of building the railroad
upon the west side of the Lake, and what
had been accomplished and resources they
had for maintaining railroad. Bridport
was little too far north but if we can't
cross at I'll. we are willing to go north.
When l went in for railroad | meant to
do something towards getting out into
the world. l had not much money, but [
contributed nay share. The towns shut
out from communication are, as the old
captain said, advancing backward.
When this road is completed you can
start as old Elkanah Watson said they
could from Port Kent, ''for all parts Of
the world" They had some things they
could contribute to sustain the road in
their iron ore, plumbago or black lead.
| He noticed as he came over 1870 barrels of
the latter product ready loaded to be
drawn to the railroad at Whiting. These
are some of the reasons why l want this
road. Railroads were not merely to
carry freight and passengers. They
carry mind-they civilize, christianize
aud modify the world.
Ira W. Clark of Middlebury was the
next speaker. He was glad to meet the
people of Btidport always, but especially
on this occasion. The scheme has been
laid before you-the only question to be
settled is whether you as town will ac-
cept its provisions and enjoy its advan-
tages. The mere offer was an incentive
to make strenuous effort to get into this
line. Boston would be reached from Og-
densburg in one hours less time by this
route, and it is link in the long chain of
railways. The man who emigrates to
another section. planks himself by the
side of railroad The reason is it brings
business to him, and the products cult
waited by his manual labor, find remu-
nerative price. love Addison county
it was the place of my birth and I expect
to die in it. Of course l want to see the
terminus of this road at Middlrbury-
a large sum for the purpose of securing ii
would be fully contributed. Middlebury
possesses rare resources which would be
developed to very large extent could il
be the terminal point. Addison county
wants this road, for its own sake, for she
has an intelligent population. Rutland
county cannot begin with Addison in in.
telligence. Will you not do what is
asked of you in aid of this enterprise
I will not detain you longer as want te
hear from Bridport