The Litchfield County post., 1828-05-15
CEobermur's s2rnsape.
0HNTLEMEN. OF THE SENATE, AND
 GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OP

SuuTagcS Oi OUT ulutudt COuStltuCH'S HdNt manifested towards me, demands the ex- pression of my warmest acknowledgements. Indeed, to disSemble the strong and grate- full sense with which am penetrated, by the recent demonstration of their favOra- ble opinion, would impose on my feelings a severe restraint. But the best return for this distinction, and the one l am most sOlicitous to make, is the faithful and per- Severing application of every power and faculty to the advancement of the pubick welfare. In all your efforts, therefore, to promote the prosperity of the State, yon may confidently rely on my zealous co-op- eration.
 It affords me unftigned satisfaction to re- mind you that during the year past the dis pensatiOns of Divine Providence have been signally prOpitiOus to the people ofthis State. We have abundant cause of gratitude to God, for His protecting goodness, which has con tinually surrounded us.and the manifestations of his abOunding mercy, in the frlitfulness of the seasons; in the enjoyment of general health in animating the wise and good tO benifcence, and crOwning with encouraging success their benevolent exertions to dissem- mate knowledge, to suppress vice, and to bring the risen and rising generations, :O the practice of righteousness. temperance, and truth, and in the continued exercise of the rights of conscience, and the increasing pre- valence of undissembled and practical relig ion.
 Whilst other parts fthe globe are convul, sed by anarchy, and desolated by the merci less encroachments and desperate resistance of cruel and unrestrained dominion, it is de- lghtful to know that the civil and religious privileges. the lenient but faithful and impar- tial execution of the laws, and the order and tranquility with which we are blessed. rest on basis as imperishable as the connection between knowledge and liberty--yirtue and happiness. The spirit of fcrimination, ,howev- CT which has too generally invaded private as well as publick character. is to be deplOred, not more on account of it's blasting influence on individual peace, than its disastrous ten dency to impair the weight our country holds abroad, and the discredit it reflects on our ci- vii institutions, and the freedom of the press. If amidst the heat and agitation and ardently contested elections, the publick morals may be preserved unimpaired,t the ebuIliton of pas sion restrained. and an independent press,.he bulwark of freedom, shall be swayed by req
  yer witness it's annihiIatOn,by the extinguIsh ment of our aluring and powerful example.
 Notwithstanding the press is justly deemed a strong engine Ofrational and virtnOus llber tv. without the diffusion of the lights of edu- cation, its action must be impOtent. The most careful attention, then, should be turned to the condition of schools. No subject of legislative regulation is more vitaly interest ing to the community.
 The perpetual pledge ofthe School Fund to the dissemlnatOn ofknOw ledge among the people of the State evinced wise sOlicitude to advance the best interests of posterity & the distribution fit according to the ratio of the population between the ages of four and sixteen years, annually ascertained. secures to each school district a sem-annual dividend. sufficient with comparatively small addition al expense, to place the inestimabe advanta- aes of good school within the reach of eve " family in the State. The safety of this fund is of paramount importance. You will, therefore, undoubtedly be gratiied to know, that it's condition has never been more safe or prosperous, and that the dividends it has showered upon the people during the past year, considerably exceed the aggregate a mount ofaIl taxes, levied by the State for the same pefOn.
 The Commissioners Report regarding pubck trust inferior to none in the State,wilI be duly laid before you, and become rghtfu- ly the subject of your scrutinizing examina- tion. It will exhibit tue gratifying fact, that the fund has been augmented tO more than $l,87O,OOO. The continuance of the watch fulness and vigilance with which this fund has been managed since it was placed under the care of single commissioner. will doubt- less in future years. considerably increase it's income, by judcious and more productive in- vestments. The additions necessarily made to the principal, in effecting such investments may be expected at no distant day, to aug ment it to two millions of dollars. The in terest of this sum would be entirely adequate, if properly expended,to accomplish the laud- able object ofits orignaI appropriation. and its subsequent pledge by the constitution of the State.
 Although ample means may be thus fur nished for the support ofcommon schools in every minute section Ofthes State, it is seri- Ously apprehended that owing to laxity in the laws, correspondent effects will not he produ- ced. There is too much reason to conclude that the liberal endowment OfcommOn schools hes Occasioned relaxation ufthe praise wOr- thy efforts to extend their utility, which so distinguished our fOreiathers-and that many have already fallen into the too prev alent error of underwriting and of ne- glecting common blessings, because an un- fortunate deprivation of ihem may not have sapnv aH fh0 0ir real worth.