Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-01-03
For tho waichman and JouI nal.


ciuded.
Notwithstanding, education is subscrvient
10 private purposes, and vulgarly esteemed the
exclusive property Of individuals, yet, in the
aggregate, il belongs 10 the public, and con-
silutes the literary character of nation.
No one will venture 10 deny that national,
ia the aggregate OF individual, strength, nor
is it less true, hat its wisdom is the Aggregate
science Of lis population.
Governments should, therefore, become,
everywhere the patrons of useful education.--
Nor s there people, by whom such patron.
age, should il ever become available, would be
more highly appreciated, more gratefully ac-
knowIcdged or successfully applied than by
tho aspiring citizens Of Vermont, whose I'M
propltous geographical position has been pro-
verbally conducive of the highest natural ply
steal and intellectual Heterogeneous. Nothing
ia wanted, therefore, but the means of educa.
ton, in order 10 insure its highest attainment;
the most efficient of which, as has been, al
ready, sugge ted, being, Internationally,
prbic seminary for the manufacture Of school
teachers. This subject involves, especially,
the three following considerations, viz, pecu.
mary resources, character and location.
Upon the first point however many aud,
apparently, insurmountsble objections humidity
or parsimony might have, heretofore surcess-
fully conjurcd up 10 thwart project like the
present, the late congressional distribution Of
the surplus revenue mn3t have etiecually
transformed them 10 the mcrost apparitions,
which single rational reflection must mo.
mentarily dispetsc.
II is subject, much to be regretted, that The
strict economy, Of our citizcus which early no.
ccssity more Than justified, should have been,
not only, continued beyond tic existence oil
its proeocniion, but, in many instances, suffer-
cd to degenerate 10 the grosstst parsmony.
And TO cap the climax OF human error, this
most CONTEMPT bic Of our basest propensities has
been pcrpeiuaIIy nourlshcd by the, almost uni
vcrsally prevailing opinion that wealth is, not
only, COMPETENT 10 secure u consunmatun Of
temporal felicity but thntit ia more thanlcquiva-
lent to the highest scientific and moral attain
ment- 4: Which sentiment, may God in his
mercy, quickly, nnnihilalc. The time has, at
length, arrived when the name of economy
would be disgraced BY Withholding the fund,
so opportunely acquired, from the hishcs OBJ
jcct Of human interest.
Who, that duly appreciates the importance
OF the subject, and the insupcroblc difficulty
OF realizing fund, by gratuions subscription
or direct legislative taxation, equivalent TO so
magnificent an enterprise, will withhold his
assent TO the appropriation of the one referred
10 Is there another object, of sufficient ccm-
parative importance, to claim a participation
in its expendilnrc7 Should il be added 10 our
present school-fund, what more would ii effect
than 10 enhance the wages Of ignorance, and
our reputation for waste Or were il APP
piled TO the reduction Of the civil list; should
we not dcprccaic The Just reprouches Of pos
terity for improydence May not, there
fore, The friends OF Intellectual improvement
indulge u sanguinc hoTe that the citizens Of
the state ill not suffer themselves 10 be long
dsgraced by the incnpnciiy or eovctousness of
their Legislature, but that they will wake up 10
recognition Of their highest intere t, and, in
the omnipotence OF political suffrage, como up
10 its support With respect to the character
Of our contemplated institution, much more,
Nigh, well be said, than is consistent with the
object of this essay. A few Suggestions,
therefore, must smficc. And firstly, II should
offer sraiuiOus instruction and support 10 such
promising individuals, on whom poverty has
shed lis withrriny influence, would profit
by opportunity, and accept lis charity on con-
dition of serving the public, in the capacity Of
school-tcachers, for, at least, a term Of years,
and Tor the compensation which custom shall
have established. Government, meanwhile
providing itself with the best available security
for the fulhmont Of such condition or for the
repayment Of the principal and iuteres! Of the
expcnce Of such education. Secondly, instruc-
lion should be Otiorded 10 both male aud female
applicants, aud should extend, according TO
the capacity Of the student, from the simplest
rudiments, IN systematic succession, 10 the
contamination of every oeducible lheorcm
which could improve the character or useful
ness of man, in all the ordinary ayocatons Of
life. In fine, every subject, not strictly pro-
iessional nor sectarian, should be clearly
and successfully taught in common schools
Thirdly, it should be removed as far as pos
sble from the subvertng influence Of political
or sectarian competition; hence the supreme
court, from its eminent literary and indepen-
dent character, would, perhaps, constitute the
most eligible committee Of supervsorship.
Fourthly, it should be provided, not only, with
teachers superlalively qualified, but also with
every variety OF books and apparatus necessary
to facilitate acquisition, and demonstrate the
prac;icability of every science, from that which
governs the uninspring tones Of The kettle
drum, 10 the most exquisite and complicated
symphony-tron the writings of q top 10 the
sublime evoluiions of the planetary world
from the construction OF a cob house, TO the
boldsst arch ;ectufe--fron the chemistry Of
the brewery, 10 that Of the laboratory--from
The natural history Of the moth, to the natural,
civil and political history Of man, and from the
superstitons Of the savage, to the clearcst
conception Of those immaculate virtues whose
prevalence would anticipate The niilcnial dis
pensation. Lastly, it shou be provided with
| ample territory for agricultural, horticultural
| and botanical experiments, as well as with
shops, for The prosecution Of all useful me-
chanlc arts universal knowledge, as far as
! aitanable, being cssnatial 10 the qualification
| of, even common school teacher. Upon The
the subject Of location, very few remarks arc
required. II should be situated beyond the
! n N NJ n, her and scdnpiiya licpn