Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-24


The New Highlander has always becl
an intensely practical man, ever keeping
sharp lookout TO make tho most O
everything Hence the phrase, " The cute
Yankee" which has become proyerbial
The typical Yankee is thus often repre-
scntcd by the average Vernontcr, who
always gauges everything by the standard
"Will it pay Those of us whom cir.
cumstancos have compelled to keep this
standard sharply in view will be the better
prepared to accept il as topic upon which
to base n few thoughts, comparing some
of the advantages and inducements Yer.
mont offers for home for all, and partic-
ularIy for the farmer, rs against those oil
othor localities and candidly noting
whether the balance is not moro in favor
of Vermont than many have been led to
believe.
The question, Where shall I make my
home? is now n matter Of far wider choice
than it was generation or two ago. To
the early settlers of Vermont who had
chosen their homes and in good faith
secured the title to the same it was a
question OF right, in the midst of conflict.
ing claims, whether they had any home at
all. To establish this right brought out
those strong characteristics which early
gave the people Of Vermont historic
place and name. For over these sturdy
sons of toir neither threat or bride had
power or influence, save to strengthen
their determination to maintain their
rights.
The question, VIII it pay?n rs thew
construed it, was broader than one o.
mere pecuniary consideration, and adj
mitted Of but one answer-our homes
our rightful possessions, our honor shall
be transmitted an unquestioned, unbroker
heritage to succeeding generations. AnG
the legacy thus bequeathed has ever since
been enjoyed in contentment and plenty
save when the glimmerings of great pos
elsewhere have awakened n gniril
of unrest.
In this age Of rapid progress, when
communications from one extremity o.
the country to another are made with the
rapidity OF lightning, when the rushing
steam is used for draught horse, The
average young man everywhere looks be.
yond his own Immediate surroundings
and comparing his present advantage,
with those supposed to be offered by some
other locality, perhaps but little known
revolvcs IN his own mind the question
" will it pay to remain where am? re
the young man Of Vermont this has been
for many years, and is now, one of the
paramount questions for him to consider,
So much has been said and written durino
the past thirty years disparaging Vermont
as a home compared with other localities
particularly tho Great West" that 4
feeling of discomfort has been stirred in
the breast Of many an active young man,
and without stopping to gather al the
facts, so rs to make candid comparison
Of the merits Of the localities under con.
sideration, he hastily concludes that in tho
enchanted distance lies his ideal home
that move anywhere will he for the
better, and, without further thought. faces
towards the setting sun.
As an Illustration and summary OF the
extent to which these dcprecatory remarks
have been carried, quote from an article
which was published not long since in the
EDITORIAL columns of one Of the most
widely circulated and influential ncwspq-
pers Of the state which aimed ia set forth
n the most dolcful manner tho present
Of the agricultural interests of
Inc state, and pictured the future with
gloomy forebodings; and all because new
'ailroads had oponcl fresh fields and
PASTURES new.
After noting the fact that the wheat
growing region was gradually moving
westward, and the low rates of Transport
alton enabled even lhc far west 10 com
'ctc with Now England in eastern mark.
rs, tho writer says Dairying is about
III there is left to the farmer of Vermont
md the west will eventually wrcst all the
Profits Of that industry from his hands.
t is getting worse and worse every wear,
md no prospect of getting better, and this
lsurpation Of tho dairy interest by the
vest, that for years has been all there was
oft to the farmer of the middle and New
england states, will be blow severely
cit in hard, poor state like Vermont.
or outside the Champlain valley, q small
"trip along the Connecticut from Barnc,
o Brattleboro, the valley of the otter
Creck and some intervals lying along the
and Missisquoi rivers, Vermont
5 very poor state. The rest is So moor
hat it would have been better if many OF
he towns had never been cleared M for
ettlcment, and it is more than likolv with
he decay and desertion of our Vermont
arms that is taking place consequent anon
he increasing emigration of our voI1nr
men that some towns will eventually he
emitted to the solitude from whence {bcv
Vero rescued, for the energetic, ambitions
natives Of Vermont will not be content to
tay and barely exc out living whcn tho
uxuriant wheat fields of tho west bccEon
hem hlther, and during the next ten
ears we look for Il large emigration
rom orr farms and consequent incroasin~
'ecline in agricultural industries tbrourh.
mt all our borders" And 50 on at oregier
onGth in Il similar strain.
Is IL at all strange that articles like
hese, coming from such II source. taken
lp rs conversational topics in nubIic
places and in families reiterated com
ncntcd on and many times endorsed
hou!d have tendency to create and fo,,
or a spirit OF discomfort with all, especial
J the young and ontcrprising who are
lot yet established in homes of their owpp
TO him who has thus been LODI to believe
hat Vermont is such Il poor. hard stale
would be well if he c0uld traverse the
road valley Of the Mississippi and thc
olling plains Of the Missouri; pass over
he vast Rocky Mountain range and tbc
nowcapped Sicrras, compared with
which our own Green Mountains sink into
nslgniiicancc, note the great extent of
terlIe, barren land surrounding them. and
'ass on, even down to the wonderful valley
Il the Sacramento. Let him learn the
dvautage5 and disadvantages. both NAT
raj and acquired, of these different local.
lies; let him study carefully the habits
nd CUSTOMS of the people and compare
hem with tho old Green Mountain state
nth hor diversity of soil and scenery, her
nc cottages and farm building, her
and institutions Of learning, with
or people substantially united in educa-
ion and custom, and it is more than
robable he will find larger proportion
T pleasant homes and greater content.