Litchfield enquirer., 1870-03-31
From the Waterbury American.
BETHI

EDIToRs AMERICAN: It has so happened that our quiet little town has been report. ed through your columns in Q light that would lead the public to judge erroneously Of uss and propose to pour oil upon the troubled waters. We are not by any means quarrelsome people; we have no lawyer Tn town to help us quarrel. and there is seldom even law suit in the place. Here the laws (next to the gospel) are rec- ognized and obeyed. When the census was taken in 1860, the minutes were made out at my house, and a copy left with me, from which extract the following: Beth lehem had 112 farms, 151 houses. l61 fam flies, 761 inha bitants, S9 less than in 1850 which was 65O.a The town of Harwinton hsd decreased 132 in ten years, the town of Litchfield 523 in ten years, but how much the decrease has been the last ten years, will probably be known next sum- mer. Now out of these few inhabitants. we support three churches with a cost of at least 5000. We have eight district schools, kept by the best of teachers, every school in the most fourishing condition, with none to object. We send to these schools 160 scholars. Besides we support select school of our own, which has a very experienced teacher. We have also a good town library, which is @ we'll spring of life to our young men. Now let us see what these churches have done for us. for 1t IS through their influence that we look for our standing, with the other towns around us. A few years ago we had in this place four or five grog shops, now not one Tn the place to my knowledge, and but one cider distillery and that is carried on so quietly that no one, not even the neighbors, would know it was there from any outward sign. It is not grog shop. and there IS none near the churches, where our fast young men If we have anyl can spend the hour between servlces at noon on the Sabbath, and then repair to the church to mingle the spirits of wine, with the spirit divine, for the spirit below is is the spirit of woe, and the spirit above is the spirit of love. But forbear, for poe try seems to be dangerous article. With three ministers constantly praying for the downfall of the rum traffic, and the tide ofintemperance to be stayed in the land, how can grog shops prosper in the rural districts away from the allnrements of a city. =5-
 It has been said that no man who thinks any thing of himself would buy a farm in place where there is no meeting house. Now if one meeting house in town has such an influence. what ought not three to do in so small town Of only four miles square; we think it onght to be an induce ment for others to come and settle. Our land is the very best, we have plenty of wood for generations to come, and not only give our ministers all they need, but go and cut it for them. The air of these hills is most healthful, and challenge the world to produce greener pastures than some of ours. Were it not for our farm products, Waterbury would half starve. have before said that this was land of churches, and it is also a land literally flowing with milk and money"
 Our city fathers are buying farms ill the country to live on in summer. under their own zine and tree with none to molest, and luxuriate upon the pure unadulterated products of the soil, and take with them for use in the city. Changes are constant ly taking place. Who will come and buy? There is land enough for all good citizens None others need apply.
 l.. F. SooTT.