The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-01-10

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its independence and prosperity, is involved in
the issue. We may, indeed, we'll rely upon |
that intelligence and spirit of patriotism in the
National Councils, which will regard With
care a question OF this Importance but while, |
by the Constitution, it is placed beyond the |
scope of the State authority to relieve from
the evil, conviction that it exists, to our Pc
culiar prejudice, will fully justify cooperation
in all reasonable efforts, by opinion and in
iuence, to induce to its removal.
have understood, that the Committee o!
the House of Representatives, to whom was
specially referred the subject of a Railway from
the city of Boston, westward, will offer the re-
suit of their inquiries to your immediate consid-
Grafton. Their report will come recommended
by the assurance, that their attention has
been perseyeringly directed to the interesting
object of their commission, and that short of
the expense and labour of Board of scien-
tihc Engineers, better source OF authentic
information could not be resorted TO by the
Government. The adoption of some means,
whereby to promote the intercourse Of the re-
mote parts of the State with the capital, is
daily acquiring pressing consequences. we
are continually called to notice new propo-
sitions for facilitating INSTRUMENTATION be-
tween different sections of the Commonwealth
quently, the confidence of private speculation
is engaged in accomplishing these projects,
sooner, than the public mind becomes salts
fed of their practcabiity. Already. and be-
fore the question of authorizing the improve
ment of the navigation of the Connecticut, is
disposed of by the Legislature, a Steamboat,
as if the earnest and pledge of future capac-
ties, has forced its passage the whole course
of that river through the Commonwealth.
Ard in the same region, where, for time, a
tiuii. and profitless apprehension of pecuniary
loss discouraged subscriptions 10 the Hamp-
shire and Hampden Canal, the enterprising
and resolute proprietors of the stock are now
actively causing its excavations and embank-
ments. Again, the busy work of the diversion
| of trade is going on, nearer the centre OF the
State and the already executed labours of the
| Blackstone Canal assure the facility of trans
portation upon its waters, before the close of
another season. 1t cannot surely be matter of
indifference, that we enjoy, but in common and
remotely, the advantages of a gradual ameliora-
ton of country, or by spirit of liberality and
enlightened exertion, adding also to the stock
of public good, seize upon the peculiar bene-
| fits. which are to be derived, exclusively from
the immediate scenes of enterprise and i'm
provement.-ln the construction of works OF
public utility, there is nothing either unpatri-
otto or unworthily selfish, in the attempt to Sc
cure the first advantages of their use TO the
community with whom are the labour and the
expense OF their accomplishment. Canals or
Railways, which shall conduct the produce
and concentrate the trade of the interior 10
our commercial metropolis, would increase the
productive capital of the country, while they
would more directly tend to retain and en-
courage the population, augment the re-
| sources, and give added force to the relative
influence of the State. The life-blood which
flows to the extremites, and warns and ami.
mates the whole body, circulates, with strong
est pulsations, near its source.
On recurring, as by the constitution it is
made the duty of Legislatures and Magis-
trates, in all periods of the Commonwealth
continually to do, to the interests of literature
and the sciences, the occasion of some furthe
provision Of means for the instruction OF you'll
Ill to -Haur consider
tunItles and advantages for acquiring usefu
knowledge. Education is daily assuming :
practical and less abstruse character.
now connects itself with the ordinary pursuit
of life, and aims more directly at obtaining
the necessary qualifications for the business
of society. The execution of a recen. stat
ute Of the Government, on this subject
which, IN its general principles, is believed to
be OF the most salutary tendency, has disclos-
ed the fact of a deficiency of qualified instruct
ers, for the requirements of the public. The
usual resorts to the colleges, and the higher
schools, have been found incompetent to the
supply. And besides this inconvenience, il
comes more and more to be felt and under
STOOD, that temporary engagements and di-
vded attention to the business of instruction.
are utterly inconsistent with the acquisition OF
that experience and skill, which alone can
give success, in this most difficult and respop-
slble of all employments. To increase the
number and improve the qualifications of the
| teachers of youth, is an object worthy the best
efforts of an enlightened age. The subject
has already occupied the thoughts of inteIli-
gent and inquiring minds, and led to many in
teresting and valuable discussions, full of infor-
nation and admonition. On former occasion.
IL was presented to your notice, and its intrin-
SIC importance will excuse a renewed recon-
mendatlon of it, at this time, to your favoura-
BILE attention.
If the condition of the finances of the Com
monwealth, or other considerations, forbid the
establishment OF an institution under the exclu.
sIve patronage Of the State, for the definite
purpose OF forming class of men to the bust
ness OF instruction, by endowing them with ca
pscity and facility in imparting knowledge.
and giving them talent and aptitude in the
art OF governing, with which they may go forth
INTO all the towns and districts, to reform the
defects OF the common schools, to improve the
mode OF education, to diffuse an acquaintance
with the physical sciences, and create greater
aifine E.r
ton, yet may not something be done for these
desirable purposes? There is reason TO believe.
that an appropriation and pledge of an annual
sum, for limited period of years, to any of the
Incorporated Academies, which should first
satisfactorily provide for course of tuition in
the qualifications and duties of teachers of
youth, or like promise of encouragement to
the earliest establishment of seminary for
the appropriate education of such instructors,
would be attended with advantageous results.
Under this arrangement, and to guard against