Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-11-28
Slow but Sure, or Sure II Slow.

The real substantial value of conserya-
tism, probity and honesty in securing the
welfare of both the state and the church,
and 80 of general society, finds happy H.
lustration in the dispatches that our minis
ter at the Hague, in the Netherlands, has
lately sent to the state department at Wash
ington. These dispatches say, "There has
not been bank failure In Holland during
the last forty years, and the paper money of
the banks during that time has been equal
to gold. In regard to the fire insurance COM
panies, there is no such thing as failure on
record, and while the rate of insurance does
not average more than one-half Of one per
cent, the companies are in the most flour
ishing condition, realizing from twelve TO
sixteen per cent per annum. First-class
railroad travel is only one cent per mile, and
yet the roads pay good dividends. Pill.
fering officials are scarcely ever heard of
aud when they shock the nation by turning
up they are severely punished and forever
disgraced. No free passes are granted, and
managers and directors have no power to
pass anybody over the roads free all must
pay the public rates dishonesty Of any kind
or failure in business means public dishonor,
and utterly bars the dishonest from any fu-
ture public consideration. Four millions of
people live within an area of twenty thousand
square miles, fact unprecedented in any
other country, and all appear TO be happy,
prosperous and contented. The secret Of
this prosperity lies in the fact that all live
within their income, and that industry and
honesty are principles so firmly established
that their violation is looked upon as an out
rage on the national characteristics" This
substantial prosperity, securing the welfare
of the people and the state, obtains not at
home or in Holland only, but abroad in the
provinces and wherever Dutch rule directs
or Dutch influence prevails. The Rev. DIR.
Field, of the New York Evangelist, in one of
his late letters describing his visit to the
island of Java, confirms this picture of
purity, peace and plenty, abroad as well as
at home. He says, d" The Dutch have had
their wars in Java, as the English have had
in lnda but having conquered, it must be
said that on the whole they ruled wisely and
well. The best proof of this is the perfect
tranquility that reigns everywhere, and that
with no great display of armed force. What
a contrast in this respect between the two
most important islands in the East and West
Indies-Java and Cuba They are about
equal in the number of square miles. Both
have been settled by Europeans for nearly
three centuries, aud yet to-day Cuba has less
than two millions of inhabitants, and is in a
chronic state of instruction; while Java
has over fifteen millons-or eight times as
maryland is as quiet as Holland itself
The whole story is told in one word-the
one is Dutch rule, and the other is Spanish
rule" Any people, even our own, can well
afford to exchange the feverish sinartness 4"
and rapid use of which we boast, for the
slower movement, but more certain winning
of our Dutch neighbors. They illustrate
the truth of the fable of the race between
the tortoise and the hare. Or better, they
turn us back to the direction and promise
God gave to Israel when they were about to
go down into Egypt for help: " In returning
and rest shall We be saved; in quieineSs and
confidence shall be your strength"