The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-10-26

example, and make ondeavors surp@ss our a.
bilitcs as they did.
While, them would recommend 10 you that
|scru,inv and vigilance respecting our common
school SYSTEM rhich are so constantly necessary,
and Il recunioty provision rs liberal as they have
Annually recn,yed,-l would mend TO your IA.
vor,bIo regard. our higher seminarIcs Of learning,
These are the nurscrie, OF our professional mon,
and they consequently exert as great nm influence
ON society rs our common schools. lit is mpor-
tant that our farmers aud mechanics should be well
qualified for usefulness and responsibility in their
callings, it is equally essential that clcrgymen,
out statesmen, our ply scans and our school mas
tors should be 50 in theirs.
1t is hard too, that the poor we'll as the rich
should not be able 10 reach and drink at the high
or fountains Of knowledge, and to no object
The bounty of the legislature be more properly di
reclcd, than to placing the higher branches Of lear
ming within the reach Of those who have not them
selves the means Of obtaining them without some
assistance.
! would not wish to be understood in these
marks, as intending to recommend any undue pro
fusion in the expenditure Of public money. On
the contrary, should be the last to advise or con
sent 10 such Of Legislation. 1t is my duty
to direct your attention 10 measures Of public inter
est, but you are tho proper judges Of the fitness,
expedicncy md practicabitv of those measures.
Economy, not less than intellectual cultivation is
essential to well regulated community; and il
would i'll become us, while cndenvoring 10 i'm
prove our fellow men by education, to corrupt
them by an example or xtravagance.
Nothing in my opinion will more conduco to the
,,r, 10, ,.I.I.
people, than geological survey Of The State The
time has arrived when Qua interests seem impera
lively to require mat such a survey should no lon
ger be postponed. The earth has been sufficiently
cleared Of its forests TO admit OF the necessary exam
inaion, and the expense attending it., will be tri
fling, compared 10 The benefits TO be expected from
it. Similar surveys have already been made in
maay of the states, which have opened new and
highly productive sources Of wealth. Very en-
couraging indications have already been discover
ed Of the existence OF valuable ores and minerals
III different parts Of the state Agriculture will de
rive great advantages from the light which science
cnnnot fail to throw upon the native character and
varieties Of our soil Should useful ores be discov
cred, ii vii open a new field TO industry, and by
increasing the number ofconsumers of agricultural
products, add new impulse 10 the enterprise OF
the farmer. Should you agree with me as to the
expedency Of providing for such an undertaking
would suggest that it should embrace an examn
alton into the botany Of The siate The success o.
the enterprise must of course depend, in a grea
measure, upon The qualifications of those who ina,
ha selected 10 carry it into execution.
Under the census Of 1910 a new apportionmen
OF the members Of the House of Representatives o
tho Congress ofthe United States must necessaril,
be made. 1t will, therefore, become your duty
either 10 direct the election, by general ticket, al
the annual recmen's meeting of lS42, of as MANY
members as may, under such apporonment, be as
signed TO Vermont, or TO postpone The election to n
day beyond the next session OF the legislature,
thereby giving 10 that body the opportunity to
make the necessary provision on The subject.
Communications have been received by the Ex-
ecn'ive, from the constituted authorities OF Her
Majesty Province of Canada, relating TO The re
cent Outrage upon our northern frontier in the for
chile seizure, and abduction beyond the limits
thereof, OF citizen of this Stale ! shall take an
early opportunity, by special message, to lay these
documents before you.
Congress, during the last session, amono other
measures for the benefit and relief of the country
provided for the distribution of the proceeds of the
public lands among the states. Vermont will be
annually entitled, under this law, to large sum Of
money, and 1t VIII be necessary that YOU should
make provision for lis receipt and safe DISPOSAL ,
How II shall be ultimately applied so as TO afford
the greatest benefit TO our constituents, will be n
matter of grave deberation after it shall have been
received
Vermont has not followed the example of many
OF her sister states IN embarking in expensive
works Of internal improvements. Recent events
have abundantly proved the wisdom and prudence
OF this course. Vast beniis to the community are
doubtless to be derived from such undertakings
They are perverted, very clearly, when they end
in prostitution of public credit When there is a
ny uncertainty as 10 the adequacy OF income to be
derived from them, they should be engaged in will
the greatest caution. Sill their ad vantage should
never be lost sight of. They are especially Impor
tant to u country situated like ours, remote fiom
market, and where the nature of our produce does
not admit OF expensive transportation In proper
ton too, as other parts of the country enjoy great
er facilities of communication with the markets or
the sea-bodrd, is the value our lands and of lhej
produce diminished. 1t is not tn DO feared tina
the Wig liant sagacity ofour people will overlook
considerations like these; and at nc distant pero,
may we expect that public attention will be active
ly directed towards an object Of so much interest
When The enterprise OF other states shall have bro
as they soon will bring, their rail roads 10 our Dor
ders, the means, am satisfied will not be waning
! OF continuing them through our own state For
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