The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-07-11
SalutatOry.

are again" And here, God willing,
we hope to stay; for, with frightening
years, attachment to old friends and
old places naturally grows upon us,
until any break or interruption of
friendly relationships becomes doubly
grievous. The causes of separation
need not be dwelt upon, since they had
no relation to this department of the
paper, but were caused by circum-
stances in which we had no concern, and
little interest, aside from that which is
strictly personal between us and our
readers. The many expressions of re-
greet which we have received, both
verbally and by letter, encourage the
hope that this renewal of our relations
may prove continuously acceptable and
useful to the large circle of readers COM
posed of the patrons of both the united
papers. This will continue to be the
old WATCHMAN, but that does not pre-
clude the introduction of new vigor,
and an enlargement of scope suited to
the progress and growing enlighten-
ment of the times.
Vermont is, we hope, entering upon
fresh era of agricultural progress.
New methods are being introduced with
success in the conduct of our leading
farm industries, and it is to be hoped
that means will soon be devised, and
made active, to bring us all into more
close, intimate and profitable relation
with consumers, so that the net gains
of our agriculture will be greater and
surer than ever. We have the soil, the
climate, the economy, the industry, and
are surely increasing in the skill which
commands success. What, then, is
wanting to our prosperity, if we can
only get fair and equal chance at the
markets where our customers must
be found? 1t is quite right to urge
us to make a full use of the advan-
tages we already have; but we can GER
tainly do this with more hope and en-
ergy if we can be assured that we are
not to be debarred from the gain which
should now accrue to us through the
continuance of an antiquated system
in the matter of transportation which
is calculated, if longer continued, to
abolish profit, discourage production
and promote depopulation. Vermont
never offered fairer prospect to her
farmers than now, if only sure, cheap
and ready access to her natural mar
kets is opened to her people. Undoubt-
edlyit can be obtained by suitable legis-
lation, if not otherwise, and our read
ers may rest assured that they will now
find the WATCHMAN fully impressed
with this necessity of promptly and
fully securing to our great producing
class the facilities without which it can
never be securely prosperous.
Our readers know that we have al
ways taken lively interest in the pro-
motion of education, with special refer
ence to industrial development; and
that, while we believe that our common
schools should become what they were
designed to be-the peoples colleges
we have also desired and demanded an
honest and intelligent application of
the funds granted by the nation to the
state for a scientific and practical
training in agriculture as the special
and leading function of our State Agri-
cultural College," We feel the hope
strengthening in us that soon this may
be seen; but every reader ought to set
tie it in his own mind that such hope
can not be made good without great
increase of interest in the matter among
the people themselves. AS with our
railroads, so it is with our state college
the people must attend to their bust
ness, and see that it is done rightly,
and according to the spirit and plain
purpose of the law. These public fran
chises and endowments are, and always
will be, liable to perversion and NAL
administration, unless a watchful eye
is kept upon them by an alert and Wig
orous people, who mean that justice
and right shall prevail.
A generous congress has lately be-
slowed upon our state, in common with
others, liberal fund for the investiga.
tion of practical questions in husbandry
by means of an Agricultural Expert
ment Station, which has already begun
operations, and needs for its success
only the intelligent support and CO
operation of those for whose benefit i
was designed. We mean continually
to urge upon our readers the impor
lance of having this station run fol-
all it is worth A" in the development o.
practical knowledge, such as will come
close home to us all, and help every
one of us to do better work and secur,
greater advantages from our labor
Here again the people must help.