Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-03-20

tural towns shall cease to be represented
in our colleges and higher scminares Of
learning. But all cannot go-will not lie
made more useful and happy or success
full by going. Shall we make manufacture
ers of them, send them TO the cities TO en-
gage in trade or the like? Yes, no doubt
some of them will find work there. Some
of the noblcst of the land have gone from
our hills and valleys for such a purpose,
while many more have had reason to rue
the day that they did it. Shall we send
them to the West, to minsle with the
throngs hurrying there? Yes, l say again,
some OF them no doubt, will find their
places of honor and wealth and usefulness
there. But, with all these concessions,
say, and say with emphasis, Vermont is
good place 10 live in, as well as to emigrate
from. 1t is true Vermont has, or had
little while ago, the honor Of sending more
of its inhabitants to the West than any 9TH
er New England state. But how long will
this honor continue, il we continue TO
throw up the farms or leave them without
the sons and daughters? Why, sir, we talk
about producing more and better stock,
and butter and cheese, and more corn and
wheat to the acre but where are the boys
TO come from TO be these entcrprising pi-
oneers and efficient leaders in the cities
and the West? I do not believe you can
find another region to take the place of
Vermont. If things go on at this rale-
yea, even now-there is need that our
friend who is 10 follow me add a little 10
his subject, and tell us about the running
out of boys, the causes and remedies" l
say then, keep the boys with us on the old
homestead or a neighboring farm that must
be sold, or plan to make new place and
even new business for them, and thus
create among yourselves attractions and
advantages that shall increase your pros
poets and enjoyments. There is a power
for good TO the individual and the country
in keeping these old 'homesteads in the
family, generation after generation. Our
ministers, and lawyers, and teachers, our
city merchants and western emigrants,
which we expect and are willing to furnish
TO an extent, will he all the better for il.
And there are inducements 10 encourage
this course l have pointed out. Pecuniary
inducements may be found. There will
be needed toll, diligent labor; not ex-
hausting toll and labor, but that which will
contribute to physical, mental and moral
development
Gentlemen tell us of raising 100 to 100
bushels of corn 10 the acre; CT making 200
to 300 weight of butter from COW; and de-
veloping the wool producing power of the
sheep 10 figure | will not presume 10
name and is there not here something to
develop a man and make him far more of
man for these very labors, as well as the
hope of a pecuniary reward confess,
standing little one side, | cannot see the
proof that farming in Vermont, even upon
oar hill farms, will not pay. have it as
the testimony of an intelligent and observ
ing business man in the West, who went
from one of our rural towns, and was Of
ten back TO his Old home, that his obseIva-
ton would show that OF ten young men,
starting with equal means, five in the West
and five in Vermont, in ten years the five
in the West, in average property, would be
behind the fl;e in the East. My own OBJ
servation in neighborhUod with which
have been very familiar, and from which
there has been constant emigration West,
| proves abundantly the same thing, and
this further, that where there has boon
large gain by the use Of a small capital, it
has been through much trial and suffering
from priyations at first. believe sincere
| ly that there are to-day mines of wealth
upon these Vermont farms, even some that
have been abandoned, richer in peculiarly
| value to our young men than can be found
with the same means 10 start with on the
prairies OF Illinois, or in the mountains of
| California. And then, as to social position
| and enjoyments; as to educational and re-
ligious privileges, and profit from them /;
| as TO opportunities to rise and TO fill well
positions of trust and honor-they are by
no means wanting. l have faith in Ner-
mont communities in this respect. They
do not like shaIns, and shoddy and gas,
but they do and will discern and reward
ability and true merit. And then educa-
tional and religious privileges-these scat
tered populations do have them and use
them to profit. We may make them bet
| ter but we do not fear now TO put our
scholars by the side OF those trained in the
cities, the larger towns or in the West. As
| ~ lilC NuIut vi lCllelOuS
not speak but do know that have had
no better hearers and no better doers Of
the word than those that have gathered
from the retired and dist mt farm houses.
The efforts and preparations required to
get out and travel the distance required to
enjoy these and the like privileges arc not
to be reckoned among the wastes of the
farm" They have their compensations.
| l have thus endeavored to bring out a
few things that have a bearing upon the
subject before us. 1 have been glad to hear
in connection with several Of the subjects
already discussed here, very excellent sug-
gestions bearing upon this very point.
trust they will be repeated and re-repeated
in all parts of the State, and that in the fu-
ture, as in the past, a sturdy and vrtuous
people may cultivate these hills and val
legs, and send forth their sons and daugh-
tiers to bless the world.
---------------
In is a hard saying, but true one, that
some prolessed Christians do not seem to
be happy themselves nor help 10 make 9TH
ers happy around them. Why Is II so2 Is
| IL hapausa thau ara trvinu In trai raa6y, f.