Ryland Fletcher's foundational background is rooted in military service, rising from Sergeant to Brigadier General in the Vermont state militia. He balanced a career in agriculture with active involvement in anti-slavery and temperance movements, leading the Vermont Anti-Slavery Society and the Vermont State Temperance Society. Fletcher's leadership extended to calling special legislative sessions and organizing militia training, showcasing his commitment to public service and governance.

Ryland Fletcher's political identity is shaped by a unique blend of agricultural advocacy and moral reform, punctuated by an unexpected opposition to mass immigration. While his dedication to promoting Vermont's agricultural economy and livestock breeding is clear, his simultaneous involvement in the Underground Railroad and leadership in anti-slavery movements reveals a complex ideological stance. Fletcher's tenure as a Know-Nothing further complicates his profile, as his opposition to unchecked immigration starkly contrasts with his progressive social causes. His governance approach, marked by special legislative sessions and militia training, demonstrates a calculated yet sometimes paradoxical commitment to both regional stability and reform.