Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

laOOf anu matcfidls anu CssAuuS AAISoivk
from the ability and enterprise of our State.
Thus we are not only sparing to them our
sons and daughters, but we are transport
ing from our mountain sides and forests
crude, heavy, unshapen material, to be cut,
hewed, shaped and polished, and perhaps
returned to us in articles of usefulness and
ornament.
Again, it is said our State laws do not
sufficiently protect the enterprising inter
ests of the State. If man embarks in
business, should misfortune come, debts
accumulate, failure and calamity follows
and he is liable to live out his days bur-
dened and oppressed, unless, by chance, he
can avail himself of law from the gen
eral government to relieve and rescue him.
We turn to States renowned for their COM
mercial thrift and growth, which have SO
framed their laws as to protect and elevate
the fallen, to lift from him the burden and
set him free to again build himself up in
business Thus they have men standing
high in wealth and position, who have
under their laws and customs built them
selves up from financial misfortune. 1t is
said our laws of taxation are unequal and in
some cases oppressive, especially SO to
that class we most need to favor and pro-
tect-our young men on whom rests the
future hope and prosperity of our State.
Engaged as many are in agriculture, mas
much as our resources are derived mainly
from taxes on real estate, they are often
burdened aud oppressed by paying largely
on property they do not own.
Again, there has long prevailed desire
"a grasping desire-with our farmers, to
enlarge their farmes, to add more acres,
until, in many instances, they have become
burdensomely large and unproductive, thus
bringing embarrassment and discourage
ment to that pursuit which of all others
should be most cherished and developed.
Is it strange, then, in view OF the embar-
easements at home, and the many induce
ments from abroad, that many of the
thoughtful aud considerable young men,
who have marked high in the scale of
wealth and fame, should turn their backs
upon their native Statep where are the
BOYS of our childhood, nurtured with US in
to manhood, endeared alike with us to
homes and their associations? Some are
with us now, but more have gone to seek
fortunes in other lands.
If we would retain our young men In
Vermont we must convince them by our
own acts that we have employment for
them here; by developing our resources,
and bringing into action the latent powers
that have long laid dormant. And would
have it the policy of our State. by legisla-
ton, to offer such inducements as will lead
to building up more extensive manufacto-
rieS in our midst.
With our present railroad facilities for
transportation. there seems no good reason
why this branch of enterprise, which our
interest and material so much demand,
should not be developed.
Let us recommend that our laws of tax
alton be so far amended and modified rs to
protect and lift from the aspiring farmer
the burden of unjust taxation. If the inter
ests of onr State have suffered for the want
of protection to business men, let us enact
laws for the best interests of the general
good. 1t is said the courts in England not
only relieve the honest debtor from the
clutches of his grasping creditor, but add
a certificate of character, which may serve
as a letter of credit to start the unfortunate
man again in business.
In view of the strength and undereloped
capacity of our soil let us divide our lands.
What if we should stimulate the soil, and
double the growth of our crops? What If we
should make two spears of grass grow
where but one grew before? What if we
should bring our farmers down to the scope
of our visions and ability? What if we do
not have SO much capital invested? We
but make room for our sons, open new
fields for growth, thrift and enterprise, add
more names to the list of those whose in
terests are in harmony with ours in the
general growth and welfare of our State
and institutions.
Let us then in our discussions and by
our publications, aim to elevate our natu
raj advantages, and stimulate to action g
higher standard Of labor in all its depart
ments, and love for home labor anC
home enterprise.