by Michael T. Heath

Created on: September 20, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2010

Solid As Stone

As one of the 600,000 residents of the State of Vermont (first to join the original colonies after independence), I share a viewpoint with an overwhelming majority of my neighbors: should Vermont secede over petty disputes like taxes? Not on your life. Like residents in all of the other 49 states our citizens have taken exception to federal policy on any number of issues, from recent wars to voting procedures, taxation to the death penalty. Yet these differences offer a fine example of how a state can, and does, push for the things it wants while remaining loyal to the rest of the country.

We currently sport both a conservative Republican governor and a socialist senator, demonstrating clearly that we aren't in thrall to any specific political party or ideology. Why, you may ask, are we all over the map in politics? It is a fair question and not easily answered.

To begin with, Vermont was Abenaki territory. These native people had tough neighbors to live with, including the Huron up north and the Iroquois to our west. Trade and travel around their homeland led a few to believe they were invincible, unfortunately, such as when a delegation of Iroquois on a putative mission of peace were attacked within present day Vermont. The powerful Iroquois (backed up by other tribes in the New York State region whom they were allied with), sought revenge, killing and raiding villages on the eastern side of what we call Lake Champlain.

Much later when the territory sat between the colonies of New York and New Hampshire, greedy crown governors sold the same parcels of land to settlers coming from both regions, causing unpleasant confrontations. The New York governor had permission; the New Hampshire Governor had guts and tenacity. My own people arrived early, bought cheap acreage high in the hills and have been struggling to make a go of it ever since.

We are a pragmatic lot, and although we briefly (1777-1792) formed 'The First Vermont Republic', it stood little chance of staying independent among the forces of Great Britain, France and even the Iroquois - all vying to control the seventh American Great Lake. This important waterway bridged the gap between present day Canada, New York and points east and south.

When the Revolutionary War broke out, forces on both sides sought advantage by attempting to control what passed through here. The War of 1812 also saw action and brief British control. Our side had the best moves (and leadership), taking Fort Ticonderoga

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