Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1836-12-27
For ,hs walchmsn and State Journal


I, mny DO hoped that the importance Of the
subject will redeem the following observations
from entire neglect. 1t is no less prepostcr-
Gus, that a government, whose constitution re-
copnises the rational freedom Of lis subjects,
sh9nld hope for pcrpetuy without due en-
co,ira cement of practical education, than mat
one should attempt 20 lift himself up by pulling
at his own boot-straps.
Free government is, emphatically, one that
emanates from the people, for the peoples BEN
eft and the only one which human reason
can find arguments 10 ju'ilIy'
That government which is not adapted to
promote, equally, the interests OF all, is as
csrded nv natures mpartiality as ar insult TO
her beneliccnce. 1t lacks an Indispensable at
tribute Of good governments that Of promo
ting the highest good Of the greatest possible
number -
The necessity in which legislation origin
ntcs, together with the Indefinite pccullatiles
aud defects Of human character and circum-
Stances, subject it, somewhat, TO the modlticn-
tons o. expediency. A spirit of local lcgisla-
tion and the institution of monopoles, can,
however, scarcely be indnlged with immunity
10 national prosperity.
The only true principle Of legislation is, to
adopt its entire population as wufds OF It's be-
nfcent guardianship, looking 10 the peoples
NEut lOI lcSllhuuJ W Ho hnN'"'htS't NV w
the commentator Of posterily FOR the coDsum-
nation of its glory
Political education should not, therefore,
consist Of. merely, the chronology or the an
'ec1otes OF history, but Of thorough ac9ualn-
lance with the physical, moral and inicllcctn-
oil character o! man, ms displayed IN The va
yion4 relations he bcarS his, fellow man
Hence the individual who has not been dis
ciplincd 10 profound reflection, upon human
character and habits, is as unqualified Tor le-
ssloton as he, who i, yet ignorant OF the pri-
native element Of arithmetic, is 10 apprehend
tho geometrica lhcorems Of Euclid.
Necessity or accident NAV have wrought out
n nations freedom; but ii can be prcServ-
ed only, by the diffusion am, ng its citizens, OF
that degree OF practical education which shall
enable them 10 appreciate IFS value
Virtue prepares man 10 relish The means oil
rational felicity, whilst education alone enu-
bles him TO distinguish tho genuine from the
spurious. Even piety, itself, with all its re-
puted excellence, unuidtd by science, deSen-
crates 10 the most contemplate superstition.
In fine, education not only contributes 10
the success oftcmporal enterprise, the eleYa-
ton OF moral character and the improvement
of human happiness, but ia, apparently, in
dispensbo 10 delicious appreciation Of the
glorics OF future state.
What higher subject, therefore, presents IT.
self TO human contemplation than that Of in.
tellectua cultnrc-that which has beckoncd
mankind, step by step, from pagan ijolntiy
and jewish superstition, 10 the happy recogni-
ton Of the illuminating and sartary principles
Of the gospel Of peace. That which has re-
claimed our reverence from the baseSt pagan
prostitution, 10 its sublime association in the
worship Of the divine Rcdeelner? And here
the question UNFORTUNATELY obtrudes itself -
l.. pltshp in
own country by legislative patronage towards
.l.vatng the character or improving the modes
Of common school education
viii that legislator who has, upon this sub
jcct, been vehement in suggesting and urging
measures Of reform; and no has been mos
sanguine in his augures and his hopes, with
hold, STILL his nowedgement Of total dis
appointment or attempt to sustain the sanity
Of his reveries by shameless allusion 10 an
tceedent legislative pucrllity7
Will moi every r. fleeing individual in whom
conscicniiousness predominates over adhesive
ness, or frankncss over dogmatism, lend his
voice to..,hc general dissent from the utility Of
pas, legislation; and point, Indignantly, 10 the
present illitcrate state Of society, as an ire
pressble evidence Of the accuracy Of his o.
p:rion.
Funds have been created by charter reser-
Walton, and especial legislative enactments,
which have been squandrred with the mock
cry Of utility. Notwithstanding onr laws, re.
latve TO the the expenditure Of chool-lunds,
have required an imposing formallty in their
execution. indicative Of tho deepest jealousy OF
the wisdom md integrity Of the people, yet
they have been so imbecie ia their character,
and 50 inefficient in Their operation, that was c
has been, nearly, commemorate wiki the am
cunt Of receipts.
Has not the zeal OF the warmcst advocates
of reform, been conlcd, ut length, TO the zero
of indifference, from consciousness of the
entire failure Of their most hopeful prospects
md has not legislation, despairins Of success
finally, abandoned the subject TO Ignorance
und chance
Nature, ia the creation Of the human rae,
has pcrcnp'orily declared that reason is no
an instinct, bot an acquisition, but having still
rendered i, indispensable 10 the consumma,ior
Of her purpose is it no: sacrilege TO charge
her with delinquency. in tho adaptation o
means for its Attainment No gift Of secont
wight seems 10 DO required 10 prosnoslicatc thu
repression OF human character, in the ahscnc,
Of unremtted cultivation. Meana therefore
adequate to the desired off'ct, should he sough
for with tho zeal Of inquisiton and adopted
with the avidity Of parsimony.
What, then, constitutes the pivot On whcl
has, hitherto, reyolvcd this system OF legisla
tive imbecity1 Is it deficiency Of prcuni
airy resources, or misapprehension'ofa judioi
Gus mode Of application. 2
In the infancy Of our local settlements tn
former may have boon an efficient obstacle Il
tho successful prosecution Of common schoo
rducolion. Thn pfoverbial enterprise OF Tn
American, has, however, long since, obvae'
this ohjecinn, throughout tho early popuact
PORTION OF our corntry, while tho western pic
nccr has been sharply pursued by mn.tudin
ous emigration, competence and wealth durIn,
most Of the pcriod which has elapsed since tn