Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-08
THE VERMONT PHGNIX BRATTIEBoRO 1873

signed to concentrate her, tine business, and
make this vilar. the trade centre Of forty
five miles Of fertile and productive territory.
What would now be The condition Of Bntile-
boro. if the merchants Of o quarter Of ceu-
tury ago when the building OF the Vermont
and Massachusetts, and Vermont Valley roads
was projected had adopted the narrow views
and policy Of some Of their successors Of to-
day? Then Braitleboro had a grand list Of
about =, OOO which has now grown TO nearly
three times that amount as the direct result
Of the construction of these roads for without
railroad facilities. there is no reason why
Bnttleboro would not have declined with all
other isolated localities instead Of advancing.
II these opposition merchants CT to-day are
right then their houored predecessors. whom
We have always respected as far-seeing intel
licent, public spirited and liberal men. were
wrong. notwithstanding the result Of their
policy and labors, and sacrifices too has been
an increase in the property valuation Of the
town of nearly million and a half Of dollars.
II these men are now right then the heather
Chinese were right centuries ago. Ia hedging
themselves in by the great impossible wall
which shut out all impertinent intrusion. and
trade too from outsiders and the recent bat
tering down Of thos- venerable walls by the
advancing hosts Of civilization. commerce and
enlightened intelligence is an ineZcusabie out
rage. Il seems incredible that intelligent
men can so think and act. It is venturing lit
lie 10 assert that in mo- other natural business
centre in New England could such retro grade
ideas find o Judgement for "a moment IN the
mind, of leading business men. Other vii
lagos strive 20 attract and draw in the bust
ness Of th. surrounding country and are
alive to the importance Of providing all need
Cd facilities for tho approach and accommoda-
/ ton of such business, while prominent mer-
chants of Brattlcboro do all they can both by
/ word and deed. TO reject and drive it away
/ When it is too h;e. and after Bellows Falls
/ las made herself ia, business outlet Of all the
/ central aud northwestern portion Of the couu-
/ ty Ly the construction Of a two-feet-Eaup.
/ railroad through Sa1tous River. Cambridgr-
/ port and Grafton TO Towusheud and thence
/ MP tin West River through Jamaica and
/ Loudouds Try to Weston road sura 60 D..
/ built if Brattleboro persist. ia her refusal t.
/ aid these very men. finally aroused 10y ia"
/ collapse of their own pocket-books, will strug
. pla in vain 10 regain tn business which ought
never g. have been lost II viii Boz o. sorry
/ day for Brattobofo when it is finally decided
/ that tin policy of these men is to prevail. and
au equally Joyous one for her business, rival.
now waiting and eagerly watching TO profit
/ by her fatal mistake. II only remains to hop
and pray that better Judgment may govern
tn, people, and the threatened calamity be-
/ ayerted
II ought. III justice. TO be said that the nail
road has no warmer or more intelligent friend
than ARE many probably Iaajoriy-of oar
merchants but it, opponents make them
selves particularly conspicuous by their zeal.
Brattieboro Feb. T. ISIS d,