Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1836-12-20
For n. walchm.n and State Journal,


II may be hoped that the importance Of the
subject will redeem the following observations
from entire neglect Ii is no less prepostcr-
GUS, that government, whose constitution re-
cognises the rational freedom Of iis subjects,
shonld hope for perpetuity, without a due en-
enlargement of practical education, than That
one should attempt 20 lift himself up by pulling
1T his own hoot-straps.
Free government is, emphatically, ono nat
emanates from the people, for the peoples ben
eft and the only ono which human reason
can find arguments to ju'iily
That government which is not adapted TO
promote, equally, the interests Of all, is dis
cardcd by natures impartiality, as an insult TO
her beneiiccnce. 1t lacks an Indispensable at
tribute Of good government that Of promo
ting the highest good Oi the greatest posslO'e
number. q
The necessity in which legislation origin
ntcs, together with the Indefinite pccullatilies
and defects Of human character and circum-
Stances subject il, somewhat, to the moditica-
tons o. expediency. A spirit Of local lcgisa-
ton and the institution of monopolies, can,
however, scarcely be INDUCED with IMMUNITY
10 national prosperity.
The only true principle Of legislation is, 10
adopt its entire population as wards of its be-
nfcent guardianship, looking 10 the peoples
veal for testimony TO lis usefulness, and TO
the commentator Of pOsterty for the coDsum-
nation of its glory.
Political education should not, therefore,
consist Of. merely, the chronology or the an
'ec1otes Of history, bot OF thorough acquain-
lance with the physical, moral and intcllcctu-
oil character o! man, ns displayed IN The va
yious rclnljons lac bcars his fellow man.
Hence the individual, who has not been dis
ciplincd 10 profound reflection, upon human
character and habits, is as unqualified FOR le-
gislation as he, who ia yet ignorant of the pri-
native element Of arithmetic, is 10 npprehend
thu seonetrica lhcorems Of Euclid.
Necessity or accident NAV have wrought out
nations freedom; but " can be prcserv-
ed only, by the diffusion ann ng its citizens, OF
that degree OF practical education which shall
enable them 10 appreciate its value
Virtue prepares man 10 relish The means OF
rational felicity, whilst education alone enn-
blcs him to distinguish tho genuine from the
spurious. Even piety, itself, with all its re-
puted excellence, unaidtd by science, degen.
crates TO the mos, contemplate superstition.
In fine, education not only contributes 10
the success oftcmporal enterprise, the eleya-
ton OF moral character and tho improvement
of human happiness, but ia, apparently, in
dispensiblo 10 delicious appreciation Of the
glorics OF future state.
What hiShcI SuOJec', therefore, presents IL
self TO human contemplation than that Oh IN.
tellectual cultnre-that which has beckoncd
mankind, step by step, from pagan ijolatiy
and Jewish superstition, 10 the happy recogni-
lion Of the illuminating and salrtary principles
Of the gospel Of peace. That which has re-
claimed our reverence from the baseSt pagan
prostitution, 10 It's sublime assocat IN IN the
worship of tho divine Rcdeemer And here
the question UNFORTUNATELY obirudes itself: =
What has been, hitherto, accomplished, in our
own country, by legislative patronage towards
.levatins the character or improving The modes
OF common school education