Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-04
Letter from an Old Friend.
CHICAGO, March 10th, 1871

and the scenes and incidents of our youth
its peaceful wales, murmuring brooks and
Green Mountains; its inhabitants of free
men and fair women: : our old acquaintan-
ces. friends and neighbors. 1t also tells
who among them have gone to their final
rest, where silence reigns supreme. Alas!
# how many! since we left the state; n long
list Yet such is human life-how tran
sitory-a mere shadow, a vapor, mist ol
the nlorning-nowhere but quickly gone.
Man, frail man, lovely woman are here to-
day, gone tomorrow, to be succeeded by
their offspring quite as Aeeting and evan
escent. You inform us OF their marriage
bells now, next perhaps of their funeral
train and burial Gone, like bright, Aeecy
cloud of the summers morning pierced by
the suns rays. But why write | thus? 1t
is the fat of Providence simply because |
shall see many with whom | associated
and loved in youth and early manhood no
more, grieve in consequence. Can one
forget the halcyon days and merry loving
friends of youth9
Young man, go west"
Vermont is u goodly land, green and beau
tiul in summer,-a charming smiling
landscape, plentiful to those who have
homes and paternal acres wealth and its
concomitant blessings. But for such rs
have not, of both sexes, who have got to
attain wealth and fame, and a good home,
alone, unaided, possessing health and ener-
gy, there is u better. Where? AS Horace
Greeley once said, Young man, 90
west" lie was sage in some matters, but
having presidency on the brain, it killed
him. Once poor boy-he went west. To
such as have described above, his advice
was sound, and is as good to-day as then.
Accept it and act upon it. New lamp
shre's great statesman once said that state
was good one to be born in and also II
good one TO emigrate from. The same
will apply 10 Vermont and other New
England states. Our winters are milder,
less snow, seasons longer, land cheaper,
more Of it, easier cultivated, soil richer.
deeper, and will produce more per acre
under same care and cultivation had in the
east. Good markets and cheap transpor-
taton, Millions of acres of Uncle Sans
farm is now lying idle, basking in the sun
awaiting the hand of cultivation and your
or other arrival in the new states and terri
tories. Ifyou don't wish TO 60 so far, and
have some funds and more energy, stop
Short, say in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
where partially improved lands and farms
pre- cheap compared with the hard and
rocky soil of the east. In these states rail
roads are plenty and rising towns and
prosperous cities in abundance. All the
west needs is Yankee energy, pluck and
Yankee school marms to teach one season,
bet acquainted and then get married. Gov.
Slde's school marms have all become
mothers, their sons having assisted in the
come one, come all and inherit the better
hnd fattcr land, the giant valley of the
mississippi. Stop not in this great anC
wicked city only TO see its fine buildings
hnlcss you are rooted and grounded ir
Faith and morality, but seek the country
hnd the lesser cities and towns, where yor
Fan have room and acquaintance.
Thousands upon thousands of emigrants
from the seaboard, from the east and from
&he old world are tlronging here annually
in quest Of homes, comfort, wealth anl
happiness. See the influx Of the people
ealled Mcnnonites from Russia near thC
Black Sea last year, Colony after colony
eamc, taking up whole townships anc
counties of land-more to come, more OF
he way. A religious people, industriou
hnd humane, well endowed with thC
worlds goods and cash TO pay for thei
lands. They twill make the desert blossom
hs the rose Ecrmont's sons and daugh
ters can do the same-will they not? Still
There is room and to spare; room for all
room for you, young man room for you
young lady, and some young and well-to
1o farmer, mechanic, lawyer, do tor ol
clergyman is waiting, longing for an help
mate. Look at the giant strides the yOun.
northwestern states have made since the
admission into the Union. Observe thei
wealth. influence and power, population
hnd vast resources for so youthful com
nunities. Only Il few years ago they com
prised one vast territory under Gov. Levi
lass, From whence came your two las
presidents? from Illinois. Where are the
TO come from in the future, and Il majorit
Df members of Congress? The answer ma
be found by examination of the electors
college and basing the next thirty ycaI
Dn the thirty last past, in population an
representation. The sceptre Of govern
ment is fast departing from the east. Ii
future home ere long will be in the greG
valley of the Mississippi, the home also {
millions of freemcn from every land an
climc, the granary of the world, and wher
most of the two great staples, beef in
pork, food of man, will be produced. Sc
this picture! Is it not correct? But som
Une away down, or up, in Vermont wi
Say, " Have we not enough and 10 sparcp
Suppose y0@ have, how will it be with you
children, grandchildren and future genera
tions? You will soon have but one men
Der of the lower house of Congress, an
your varied and numerous sons can't a
be that one member. " lie that hath Il
ear TO hear, let him hear,' or an eye to SCI
let him see the great Valley of the Missi,
sppi.
P. S.-Ifyou think this ovcrdrawn wi
give you some facts and you can rely 0
them. Some seventeen years ago yer
poor man moved from your vicinity int
this state, with Il family of six children, ,fiv
sons and one daughter-all under age tw
sons enlisted in the army, one died, tw
are now in Kansas One whom undn