Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-10
From Minnesota.
THE GRAIN CRor-TuE TEMPERANCE WORK
yERMoNTERs IN THE NORTHWEST.

THE GRAIN CEoT-TuE TEMPERANCE WORK
yERMoNTERs IN THE NORTHWEST.
ST. Paul, Mimi, July IS, 1877.
To the Editor ofthe Free Press and Times
Horace Greeley knew what he was talking
about when he so freely gave that terse ad-
vice -" Young man, 20 West" | came
here from Chicago, by the Chicago, Mil
waukee and ST. Paul railroad, by which
route you have full and uninterrupted view
of the Mississippi from La Crosse up. The
scenery is grand and it is rich treat to see
the almost innumerablc streams which swell
the current of the mighty " Father of
Waters" Steamboating is not what it was
on these waters: yet regular line is in
active operation between ST. Paul and St.
Louis. Occasionally an outside boat is seen
and fiat boats are not entirely cxtermin-
ated Steamboating is livelier on the lower
river.
We have been in this State about three
months. There are a great number of
New Englanders here. The people are good
and hospitable. You cannot help liking
them. But the grain 70 see wheat field
iipe for harvest is like looking at an Italian
sun set. You can but look and look, ard
admire. The crop this season will be good,
beyond anticipation, and it will place the
Minnesota people in easy circumstances,
financially. Grasshoppers made their ap-
pearance in some localities but it was for Il
short timo only They took quick depar-
ture and in such manner as to Indicate
that they have gone for good. The Indians
in this quarter are peaceahlc and on reserva-
tions, and attract no attention. 1t is
wonder to us why so many young men
sit idle when so much good territory
can be cultivated to such good advantage.
There are idlers here as elsewhere,
but there is certainly no valid reason why
any young man should cry mo work" in
this great producing State. The farmers
are the most independent and highly honor
cd people everywherc-and were your cor
respondent not engaged in lifelong pro-
icssion he certainly would try his hand at it
in the West No doubt Vermont offers good
opportunities as well as Minnesota.
The temperance wave has swept over
Minnesota ard, as in the East, is working
great good. I. n. Doutney and wife OF
your city have been here, and have worked
in several cities in the State. Mr.. Doutney
has addressed nearly 900 people in
Minnesota. lie organized temperance
club St. Paul of nearly 1000 members, and
at Minneapolis one of about 5000 members
Thousands on thousands have signed the
general pledge, and he has organized clubs
in every Place he has visited. lie and his
wife arc now in Rochester, in this State.
and leave for Vermont in few days. Mrs.
Doutney's singing takes very aceeptably 1t
has been our pleasure to make the acquain-
tancc of many New Englandcrs here. and
quite frequently We see their names in the
list Of arrivals at the leading hotels. In
looking over the arrivals, a few Gays since,
We read the name of Hon. j. Gregory Smith,
of st. Albans, President OF the Central
Vermont railroad. and cx-Govcruor of Ncr-
mont and cx-Prcsident oi the Northern Pa
ciGc railroad lie went up a. FAR as
Braincrd, On the st. L. and l.. H. Il.
The name of Braincrd was given the
place in honor of Mrs Gov. SuIith : father,
Hon. Lawrence Braincrd. Some ii ne since,
while here on visit, Gov. Smith gave largely
to the fund Tor the Congregational Society,
at Braincrd and ON his last visit he ave liber-
ally toward the annual support Ola pastor Tor
the society Mrs. Gov. Smith add cd quite
generously to the amount The pee pie there
think great deal OF that branch of the
great Smith Family.
Up to date the great railroad strike has
rot reached Minnesota. No trouble is cN-
pccted here, for the railroads have aeceicd
to the demand of the euiployes. Yours ID