Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-12

civilization, without which people dwell
ing in the same country can have no com
mon interest, no kindred feeling, no com
mercial relations, the absence of which IL
an indisputable sign of barbaric inclination
and whose maintenance and preservation
are sure indications of a civilized land, is
subject full OF interest and instructive
ness.
1t is not nect ssary hewever, to burden
the reader with a recapitulation OF the
past as it has only an indirect bearing up
on this much discussed question of the
day.
There is truly something picturesque
and romantic in the savage state OF the
Indians who once wandered throughout
the American continent. With them
there was an entire freedom OF the indi-
vidual, that liberty which knows no re-
straint of law, and no subjection to rea-
son. They were literally children of for
tune dependent wholly upon the gifts OF
Nature, which left to itself is tickle friend
and sometimes terrible enemy. Their
sustenance must be sought in all places
where it could be found and as it could
not be brought to them they must go
where it was.
Thus it follows that life was exhausted
in the fruitless toll and endless strife for
livelihood and when the end came, moth
ing, absolutely nothing can be said to
have been accomplished and all the finer
qualities OF their nature, from want OF
time and means, were never developed.
The cause of this may be readily seen in
the fact that they possessed no fixed hab-
itation and that their facilities for inter-
communication existed only in the zig
gag paths running through the forests or
by the winding streams. What is true OF
the Indian is synonymous with other
tribes or nations who live generation af-
ter generation in the same manner.
On the other hand when a system of
"good roads" has once been established
the condition OF society moves to higher
plane, education develops rapidly, cul-
ture and refinement are broadened and
expanded and advantages, such as were
hitherto unknown, come into practice.
The most remote places are united with
quick and swift communications. Re-
strictions in the line of products float a
way in the struggles of nations for the ex-
changing OF the results OF their labors.
We all delight in social intercourse and
the beneficial discoveries in science, the
triumphs of talent and the works of art
are all within our reach because OF the
manifold mass of communicating high |
ways. The moral effects of this condi- |
tion is forcibly impressed upon our minds.
The bonds of friendship are drawn closer
and closer, the same inclinations and de-
sires become less disseminated, former
antagonisms are softened and Christian
influences are spread abroad and strength
ened.
"The kindred sons of men
Live brothers like, in amity combined"
We have, so far, been discussing this
interesting subject in a sort of a semi |
theoretical way, assuming if such and
such conditions were true the effect on
progress and happiness of mankind
would be immeasurably augmented, Let |
us now branch off and ask ourselves why |
NnlS oCIlOuo RiODltIi has HOl NOlnC DtlOlt
the American people until within a few
years, also some of the solutions to the
problem and finally general summary |
setting forth its utility and great service
to all classes.
At the beginning of American civiliza-
tion system of roads was deemed neces-
sary for the comfort and happiness of the
people and the expansion and power of
the colonies. These were roughly laid |
out, no particular standard being em-
ployed excepting perhaps they used un
Willingly the idea that "the longest way
round is the shortest way" This seems
to have been intermittingly followed by
their descendants and as a rule we are
riding over the worst roads of any coun-
try that pretends to be civilized. Both 1
the State and National government |
doubtless considered the subject of better
roads as inferior to other considerations
and hence that department of progress
was left to the agricultural class. This
view of the question was extremely un
fortunate for it was not in the farmers
sphere to make any great improvements
along these lines for training in the sci
ence Of surveying was not usually within
their reach and those who were recruited
from the ranks for that profession never
dreamed of turning their attention to
but Immediately sought the
cities or the patronage Of the government.
While this reason is both strong and
logical yet there is another which appeals
to the farmer more because of its direct
application-we refer to taxes.
1t would be difficult to find many of this
class who are not subject to burdensome
and often crushing taxation. The pro-
portion required for the building and
of roads forms no small a.
mount and naturally they are extremely
10th to burden themselves by more ex-
tended outlays or to fall in with some of
the new theories which are all the while
being flashed before them unless they