State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19

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portance, the educational measures now in
progress, recently suggested by the central
government, supported by friends of hu-
|manity in England, and recommended by
His Excellency the Governor, TO the con.
Isideration of the Hon. House are being car
ried int effect by the cooperation of be-
'nevolent individuals and societies, under
the protective care of the government, with
out aid or sympathy from that Hon. House.
That by such its indifference and apathy
the conduct of the Hon. House has been
of fixed determination TO reject
Pail measures not emanating from its deIib-
|erate choice, without inquiry into their ten
|dency or scope, and without regard to the
prcrogntive of the crown, in
its noblcr character of pdrenS pdtriG, to
|Huggest such measures ofimprovement and
reform as are obviously requisite for the
public good.
6. That this meeting desires to record its
Opinions, and to appeal to the sense of
reasoning men against the popular falacies
sought 10 be circulated by portion Of the
colonial press, that through default of the
apprentices, the system of apprenticeship
does not work that industry is now on the
decline, that immortality and crime are on
the increase.-Let the facts decide Let
history record the truth, when the passions
of faction and of party shall have gone to
their rest. Although the staple productions
of the colony, produced since the act OF
general emancipation, may for time have
partially decreased, rs compared with their
production before that event, yet mark the
benefcent results of freedom The cult
walton of the soil, the growth and manuiuc-
ture Of minor commodities, equally valuable
with the staples, have each been augment
ed in paramount degree. Buildings and
other improvements progressively increase.
The consecration of the Sabbath and the
sanctity of marriage, through the efforts Of
the clergy and missionaries, have opened
sources of trade unknown to n state of slave
ny, by the import of articles of luxury for
tho purposes and wants of civilized life.
Already the whole condition of the peasan-
Try is improved. Heretofore, borne down
10y toll, with but roots for his sustenance,
and the pltunce Of fish, custom compelled
from the owner the prndial laborer has
now nt his own time leisure to cultivate his
grounds, TO manage his domestic stock, and
10 participate in the common enjoyment of
the soil, in n climate in which Nature, all
bountiful, requires but slight care for the
production OF her gifts. Ills time is not, as
falsely asserted, wasted in sensual repose :
on the contrary, the apprentices, as body,
have, in all cases, clieerfully and readily
acquiesced in the law, and have cOniornIed
to its duties, unless when goaded by oppres-
sion or fraud. Useful industry, and the
acquisition of properly, by honest means,
are their active pursuits i'll their own time.
Nor immortality nor crime is increased. But
the law, now asserting its prerogalive alike
over bondman and free, has rescued the Of
fender from the merciless control of lawless
power and has brought to retributive Justice
crime and oppression from their dark and
secret abodes of cruelty into the noon OF
day. Among the cases periodically adjudg-
ed, but few have eventually been proved of
magnitude. The majority of convictions,
as regards the apprentice, are for minor
felonios and inisdemeanors fewer have
been prompted by malice or revenge--few-
or still have been perpetrated by violence.
In his personal protection, and property, the
traveller is as secure throughout oil parts OF
the colony as within the walls ofa municipal
town. The pressure of suffering "from
Without" the inducing cause to outrage and
crime, does not exist in climate where
squalid poverty and want are unknown.
z. That the attempts which have been
made to falsify the truth, and to caumniate
the Executive in the government of this
colony, and the causes of dissatisfaction
which have occurred in the apprentices
have been induced in the opinion of this
meeting, by dishonest policy on the part
of n faction for the purpose, which has
since developed ITSELF ofcreating an argu-
ment in aid of thut faction, that the appren-
tees refuse to conform to the law, and fol
terrifying, on the ground of such their relu-
sal, an appeal to the bencvolence Of Eng
land for further compensation rs boon fol
surrendering the apprenticeship term. That
any appeal founded on such policy involves
the reputation of the laboring classes OF
persons in the colony, and ought to he
openly discouraged and disavowed az beto.
kening .ingratitude for the noble boon Of
compensation received, and as tending tc
weaken the confidence reposed, as well ii
the apprentices themselves, rs i'll the pro
tective power and integrity of the govern
ment.
The meeting, then, deprecate any change
IN Inc government, as calculated 10 bcgc
apprehcnsions of insecurity and danger
and so to promote discomfort among thu
apprentices; and they express their convlc
ton, that the continued administration o
the Marquis is of vital importance to ia
vOrable termination Of the present expert
nlent. They then beseech the home gov
ernmeut, and the friends in England, t'
sustain "the present administration in thu
colony, and vote that the resolutions b'
published in Despatch, Waichman, an
several other papers i'll the Island, and il
England, and the New York Albion
EmdncipatOr.
Abolition and Nh Pan Buren.-It is cvi
don't thnt thnra is n nnrtinn of the Inck sol