Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-02-17
Woodstock. VT. Feb. II, 1912
More Truth About Vermont.

Of Windsor to the agitated ranks OF
mistaken readers of Mr.. Rossiter's
historical and statistical study of the
progress of Vermont. The appear
ance of Mr.. Evarts-lawyer, farmer.
mainstay and handspring of the
state fair-is only one more bit of
evidence that Mr.. Rossiter's compil-
alton of census figures and his con-
illusions have done more to stir up the
state as to what it hadn't been doing
and what it should do at once, for its
salvation, than any other literary
production in half century.
Mr.. Evarts belongs to the influ-
entail and able element in the state F"
whom Mr.. Rossiter calls upon to
address themselves with unity,
energy, money, and enthusiasm to
,4the task of encouraging native
Americans to settle in the more fer
tile areas, to seek outlets for their
products, develop resources and start
new industries. 1t is reasonable to
suppose, he says, that the state
would promptly respond in popu-
lation and prosperity in proportion
TO the effort"
1t is well for the state, then, that
Mr.. Evarts has run across copy OF
Mr. Rossiter's paper, has perused it
interestedly, and has written piece
about it, which appears in the cur
rent number of The Vermonter.
Like other hasty critics, however, he
has chosen to serve his state by as
suming an antagonism on the part
of Mr.. Rossiter--an unjust assump-
ton which has upset others who
have fallen foul of Mr.. Rossiter's
figures under the delusion that they
were championing Vermont
Mr.. Evarts has made use of certain
returns of the census of 1910 which
sgwere not available when the Rossiter
article was prepared. The agricul-
tural returns make. says Mr.. Evarts,
{" a magnificent showing" which is
well and good, and no one doubt
less wSnld be more pleased to offer
congratulations to Vermont and to
Mr.. Evarts than Mr.. Rossiter him
self. As review. however, of con-
ditions in Vermont for half CEN
tury up to 1900 the Rossiter article
was complete, and its conclusions
unbiased. 1t is fevercd brain that
imputes to-, him the slightest ami
mostly toward Vermont and her peo-
pie. No better, stronger tribute to
the manhood of the state has been
written; o stump orator is louder
but less sincere.
Mr. Rossiter says:
I" While il is true that the popu-
lation returns for Vermont offer to
the student perhaps the gloomiest
statistical picture to be found at the
present time in the United States,
the state is still very far from mate
rial or population catastrophe. and
unquestionably still possesses in her
own people the remedy for many
ills"
The Age has maintained and will
say again that it is the people Of
Vermont--the men in control of the
state--who have been responsible
for the condition of things-who
have kept Vermont at a standstill
for 80 many years.
Again Mr.. Rossiter says: "The
number Of present-day vermonters
possessing in full measure the fine
traits Of the fathers. is much greater
than the number ofthose who shaped
che early destinies Of the state
Will Mr.. Evarts stand up and be
counted?
Is there anything "defamatory !"
in theae paragraphs? Rather,
isn't there much hope and conf
dsnce in the future of the state ?
The latest census figures exhibited
by Mr.. Evarts show 1.-THE increase
Of manufacturing interests and the
return Of Vermont to her own as an
agricultural state
Mr.. Evarts is doing good deal
for the state but it might not have
occurred to him to rise up and shout
except for Mr.. Rossiter's inspiration
Honors are shout even.