Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-04-19
BAD ROADS oss1RucT PROGRESS.
: Perfect Highway Is a JOY Forever ane
Blesses Every Home 1t Passes
Prom earliest times culture and Sd,

From earliest times culture and goo'
breeding have centered in cities. This j
a fact which it is futile to deny. TIL
words we use to express these q~ualitie
prove it beyond cavil. Polish, polite
urbane and civil are derived from tn
Greek polls or city. the Latin urbs, Z
city, and ciyis, a resident of a city. How
shall we account for this? Science has
shown that all differences and peculiar
tiles among men are traceable directly tC
either heredity 0 II environment.
1t follows, then, that the superior re
fnement of manner possessed by resi-
dents Of cities is wholly due to their sur
roundings, since they and their more
sturdy country cousins are of the SAINT
race. This shows that the more meI
rub against each other the less friction
is caused by such attrition. Rough cor
ners are rounded, asperities softened
rudeness checked. While mere smooth
ness of manners and an outside Chow OF
politeness result from dealing with
strangers, it may be safely said that
sturdy integrity and true culture spring
from long continued association and con
slant business relations among the samt
persons.
Now, eyesy impossible road is an in.
superable barrier to local advancement,
cutting off all intercommunication and
closing all avenues which lead to social
and intellectual development. By in.
generating every family in the farm
prison we shut out the leaven Of progress
which the spirit Of emulation arouse.
among people who often meet to discuss
matters Of mutual interest. whether ma
terial and local. or literary, scientific,
spiritual and general. Such a Chimes
wall separates each man from his fol
lows, from every spur to improvement,
from every incentive TO mental and moral
growth.
For the highest rood of the people OF
any community it Il quite essential that
facilities 10 established for colnmunica.
ton with 80 outside world. especially
with the f-eat centers OF civilization,
literature. traffic and art. This may be
carried on by travel. or through the me.
dunn Of the mail service, preferably by
both. but bad roads obstruct both.
Good roads will metamorphose the
present unfortunate state of affairs in
country towns and introduce the advan.
the polish, refinement and civility
now supposed to e~xistalmost exclusively
in cities. Tic quickened intelligence and
thought which result from
the constant watching of the political
scientific AID religious movement
on aroua-d us constitute the most i'm
factors in the education and id
Vancement Of the age. II turns atten
lion away from the petty quarrels Of l'e
leighborhood 10 the great affairs of TIE
world and leads to a higher and noblei
Of life.
The daily communion with the world
md consequent acquaintance with its
needs. with the necessary work to be
lone and how TO do it, will largely bene-
it the mental vacuity which sooner OF
takes possession of those whom cir
.umstances consign to isolation.
A perfect highway is a thing of beauty
md a JOY forever. Ii blesses every home
" which it passes. 1t brings into pleasant
communion people who would otherwise
ave remained at a perpetual distance.
I awakens emulation, cements friend
hips and adds new charm to social lie.
I makes the region il ~traverses more a.
ractve. the residences more G siirhtful.
t stimulates a spirit Of genera. improve
lent.
Fields begin 10 look tiaier; shabby /
ences disappear; gardens show fewer
lawns are better kept; the HOUSES
cozier; trees are planted along It's
orders: birds fill the air with music; the
'orld seems brighter; the atmosphere
urer. The country is awake; patriotism c
philanthropy blossoms as selfish f,
ess fades and sinks from view. Tie
,hoolhouse and the church feel the mag \
intiuence-the wand Of progress has :
Duched even them-the old are Young =
gain, the Young see something now TO
We for. and to all life seems worth the 3
wing. The daily mail reaches each
ome. The rural cosmopolitan feels ;
Re daily pulse Of the world" The gold 4
! days of which the poets long have g
ing are upon rs. The dreams Of the
asst are ceming true. Nothing can B
lwart the viii Of fate. Put your ear to
ie ground even now, and yon will hear
Ie footballs Of TIE good time coming.
Professor w. ". Prgnaerrast nj the