Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-10-22
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

uO W
Fei!o,o CMsens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives
The people Of this state have reposed in our
hands for the ensuing year the powers Of legs-
lation and government; and the first and most
gratifying duty we have to perform in their name
and as their representatives, is to acknowledge
the continued favors of Providence. The earth
has yielded its annual increase, health, hap
piness and prosperity smile upon our land, we
still enjoy the blessings Of a free government,
and peace is as yet within our borders. So far
as regards the present condition of our state, at
no period have we been called upon for more
unfeigned EXPIRE ssion of gratitude to the Glver
of all good
The gislatiyc provisons,whch You " ill be cal
led upon to make for the people OF his state, will
be, like their wants, few and simple. The wis
dom of your predecessors will furnish you with
the safest guide, and it has probably left few al
terations to be desired in our domestic policy.
Still it is your duty diligently to consider any
improvement which may be suggested, and to
leave nothing undone, which NAV promote the
general welfare.
Education is a subject which cannot fail to
command your earnest attention. 1t is true that
no community can boast of more widely and uni
versally dltfuscd instruction than ours, and it
might therefore appear useless to urge this topic
upon your consideration. But we must CONT
nually bear in mind that it is not the result of
accident that the people of this state, with 80
few exceptions, can all read and write, and have
enjoyed the benefit of at least good English
education. They owe their happy and envlabe
condition. in this respect. entirely to the I'M
ccasIng solictude and wise legislation of our
forefathers. While our state was yet almost
wilderness, those, who themselves most felt the
want OF education, were most careful that their
children should not grow up in ignorance, and
the efforts they made to establish and support
common schools and sennarlcs for the higher
branches OF learning, must forever command
our gratitude and admiration. Common shoots
have always been within the immediate reach
OF every child in the state, and it has been the
honorable ambition OF every parent to deny his
children no necessary opportunity Tor attending
them. Nor has this been the limit of their am
bltlon. Many generous father, while follow
ing the plough himself! has sent his children
from home, that they might, by having better
means OF education, qualify themselves for more
extensive usefulness
1t is true that al this con not be accomplish
ed by Legislation alone. But wise ana whole-
some laws have lad the foundation OF THIS, as
they have of ali othcr usflui social institutions
II legislation presents the means and points
to the Dement'S OF ucaton, there IS no reason 10
apprehend that they will no. be gladly accepted
The example and encouragement, which it is
in our power to afford, are all that is necessary
not only to support and preserve our presen, sys-
TEN, but greatly to extend and improve it. If our
fathers bestowed on us better education than
behind them in benevolent efforts Let us rath-