Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-12-25

,pmbcr Of The Nermonter, Chas. s.
Forbes pubishcrl
1ha press of the state has been giving
considerable discussion to what has been
,,u.d "a New Vermont or n Greater YER
,,,ut The first title has been sometimes
uscd IN the idea that it somehow had ref
.,.r., TO the legislation of 1902, by which
half n century OF prohibition was sup
,l,Yt,l bv a license law. l have never
understood that men who used either OF
rho foreeoing expressions in its true in
cent designed to limit their meaning to
.h,t inferior idea. 1t was used to ex-
rross rather their conviction of a change
t., tendency and in increasing Industrial,
commercial and financial work through
ONT the state, of modification in old time
nouticlI opinion, of actual and prospective
increase in population, and of a true i'm
mise i'm the direction of a broader de-
yolopment Of our opportunities and duties,
,rtirh they believe exist, and to which
they are glad to give their hest co-opera-
tiou and support. They do not expect
IN l,sisate values into existence or to
lack up the grand list by statute or sud-
denly to vastly change the opportunities
for thrift and profit by a new state policy
on the liquor question or on any other
ouestion They do believe that wise laws.
and particularly the enforcement of wise
laws will help these matters along, and
they believe also, that there does exist
today in Vermont the impulse of a new
strength and a more active desire for
new work. directly traceable to the people
Their purpose is to take hold of that fact,
10 nX it in the minds of all and to seek
the substitution of that idea of practical
work i'm Vermont by Nermonters for what
some years back they feel has been rather
the reverse.
1t is true today, for example, that a
great many voters regard state affairs of
more direct concern to their welfare than
mere outside matters, and they are COM
in to demand. accordingly, while Fed
eral issues shall not be disregarded, that
state issues state needs, state economies
and state accounting shall neither be
lightly viewed nor totally ignored.
Many men also think seriously over the
fact. especially where local experience
has emphasized it. that the state has adj
ded and is now receiving a considerable
number Of foreigners to its lists. These
newcomers are beginning to till its
farms. handle its slate, carve its marbles
cut IT'S granite, help run its shops, and,
more than that, are beginning to influ-
ence our modes and kinds of thought.
They declare that these men are here to
work and to stay to make values and
homes here. to raise their families here
and they are not merely saving Vermont
from the odium of an adverse census, but
in fact. are most valuable and worthy
citizens making large contributions tC
its wealth and being in no small degree
responsible for its progress. They strong
~ favor. on merit and urge. as good pub
lie policy, the recognition of these new
elements into the life of the state ant
one other fact of equal Importance, that
our native born youths today enjoy ant
are influenced by a different environ
ment from that of yore. Therefore they
think that Vermont is undergoing /
change in impulses and in sentiment, a:
it ought to do and as it must do to keel
up with and somewhat ahead of the av
erage work in its sister states. Those
who have used the expressions of a New
or Greater Vermont believe and admi
this fact, and they also are inclined tC
urge it as good public doctrine and policy
for the state to act upon, to get the ben
ent of and TO use in its material devel
opment, rather than To stop it or give i
friction by neglect. They declare for al
earnest and active work, locally distrib
utcd as far as possible, and hold that i
is lean wisdom to stay set, with nothing
doing, when the rest of the country Il
clearly reaching after the benefits of eX
ransion and public improvements every
where. man may retire from business
if he sees fit, but there is no standing
still for a state, and least of all for sucl
state as this, whose history, who's
composition and whose opportunities alik
commend it to prosperity and growth
Self government is not and was not de
signed to be the dead rot of a machine
made directory, but the living force o
applied conclusions. reached by full, fran
and free debate and enforced by an hon
est and independent vote. Vermont self
government has been very honorable, be
cause exceedingly conservative, and Their
does not exist now any desire TO eX
change quantity for quality in this re
spect. 1t is solely that men today fee
the need of a somewhat greater actor
II our people every Wltlt are w ii''N
position of equality. If not relative ad
vantage, in the competitive exchange
services and values in their times. NC
one of them would detract single wor
from the great praise and respect whlc
is deservedy due to the men and achleNe
ments OF Old Vermont. They hold thos
men and their times in the most abldin
and loyal esteem, but, then, too, the
think it no crime to declare the reVers
Of some ancient propositions and in the
stead, say that Vermont is as good
state to live in as to leave. to make NOR
ey in as another, if the work is put VI
and to develop, if we rightly use IN
wealth at our doors, and that 1t is an
should be kept as a state of opportunlt
in which the iGea should be cultivate
Of developing it's own resources of su'
tanning its own people, of really pacKlh
up its own public servants, OF giVir