Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1882-05-03

The most rapid development and progress
in material prosperity in our country is to be
observed where new men have pushed novel
aud bold ideas with youthful energy, and
conquered obstacles most formidable simply
by the elastic zeal Inherent in men fsucb an.
terprise. The most startling exhibitions of
growth and push are to be seen in the most
newly settled portions. Old towns are con.
servstive, and with the sluggish blood of
years OF routine work, resist innovations with
persistance that only evidences how deeply
rooted is the objection to anything approx.
mating change. A farming community of. a
century's growth will in all likelihood remain
one for another cycle Of years, unless some
outside influence comes in strong enough TO
turn the current into another channel and set
in active oourslng the pristine blood 90 long
dormant
The causes which lead to change are usually
found outside Of the thing operated upon.
Old towns, with old tStions, customs and pro.
dllections. do not generate novel and enter.
prisinR methods for development At best
they but oppose, and as far as possible retard
all attempts to GUST them from their long
accustomed and easy noving ruts. There
| exists no law against communities innoyatiue
changes; the free will to act remains. The
TACT that they do not choose to move does not
count against the power and possibility to
move.
There are moral obligations as binding on
communities as on Individuals. The citizens
OF town have no moro right to shut them.
selves from that which is for the interest of
all as a whole than has man to refuse to
educate his children or to deny protection to
his family against a common enemy This
obligation should be always recognized, its
force always operative, aud careful copsidera.
ton given u that NO obliquity rest on the
town because Of any instruction or negli.
gence OF ita power The community that is
satisfied with moderate ambition, oontented
IN ruts, adverse to all speculative PROPOSE.
tons looking to diverse and newer interests.
is the one that has plenty of time to observe
the world go nv aud vaguely theorize on its
wondrous activities. That is the town in
which the young men never abide. genius OF
the place ia against them and they drift nat.
urally to the centers Of traffic The accrs.
tions to sucn gowns are the worthless rem.
nants of each succeeding generation, and de.
cadence IL the lot Of all
Change is a. much law of our existence
as activity. Cohtentment that is found in
the never enlarging round Of simple duties is
of the eassr sort and never rises higher than
its source Mere material prosperity, with
the rich man no richer nor poorer, MOI. the
poor man no poorer nor richer, ia the mesnest
and most sordid kind and the passsssors of
such are thase whose narrow deslres never
rise above a personal and selfish end.
THIS is prosperity which Is not prosperous.
Its office is to drift. Drift is simply stagna.
ton; growth aioue is life: :~-
Admitting the reaseaahleness Of these
statements, would 1t not be well if Canssu
were to lift itseif out OF the drift in which i,
has remained 20 long embedded, and 5look
about upon the opportunities that lie on every
hand inviting change, growth and develop
uept. Briefly then what accusation eau be
made against Canaan audits citizeus Supply
this-no effort has been made to develop the
resources and possibilities OF Canaan beyond
those Of mere personal nature. All at
tempts to that end have been sporadic, selfish,
ID necessarily futile. There has been no
combining OF interests, no union Of strength.
no community Of feeling looking to general
God to the town. The Stick Fasts': have
viewed with alarm the run Swifts" while
those who were and are ready and willirsz to
do that something permanent may rensin
have received no encouragement fsom those
whose interests would be best subserved BY
change Indifference has become casious.
and everything ia Improbable which does no,
exist
The situation of Canaan is favorable tor
growth that may be sure, speedy and deep
rooted, Located at the junction Of two lines
Of railway, each leadisg from centers Of
traffic TO like termini. and presenting ,vari.
ETY. Of soil, adaptabil.ty Of natural gifts, and
easy access 10 leading markets for the dis
posal Of products, Canaan ought not to stag.
nate and grow rank. II ia not the n,eaton. |
however, in this paper to specify the possibiI-
ties Of Canaan. that may be reserved for an
other article. What Ia aimed at now 10 t. di. !
'ect attention to the fact Of their existence,
eaving the roll cali OF them to be made later,
WINTHROP.
Canaan, May
From L0ckp@rt. n. ".