The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-10-26
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
FelloD Citizens Of the Senate,
and HOuse of ReDreSe,LJfjres

uHU AIOUSo " LlcPfcocHuttpcS
The people Of this State have rPposed in our
hands for the ensuing year the powers of legis.
lation and government and the first and mosl
gratifying duty we have to perform in their
name, and as their representatives, is 10 ack-
nowedge the continued favors of Providence.
The earth has yielded its annual increase,
health, happiness and prosperity smile upon our
land, we still enjoy the blessings of free gov.
eminent, 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 unfcigned expression Of gratitude to the
Giver Of all good.
The Legislative provisions which you will
be called upon 10 make for the people of this
state, vii! be, like their wants, few and simple
The wisdom of your predecessors will furnish
you with the safest guide. and it has probably
eft but few alterations 10 be devised in our
domestic policy. Still it is your duty diligently
10 consider any improvement which may be
suggested, and 10 leave nothing undone which
may promote the general welfare.
Education is a subject which cannot fail 10
command your earnest attention. 1t is true
that no community can boast of more widely
and universally dlffused instruction than ours,
anu IL appear uoI4CSS "
this topic upon your consideration. But we
must continually bear in mind that it is not the
result Of accident that the people Of this state,
with SO few exceptions, can all read and write,
and have enjoyed the benefit of at least a good
English education. They owe their happy and
enviable condition, in this respect, entirely 10
the unceasing solicitude and wise legislation oil
our forefaihers. While our state was yet almost
aiwilderness, thos; who themselves most felt the
want of education. were most careful that their
children should not grow up in ignorance, aid
the efforts they made 10 establish and support
common schools and seminaries for the higher
branches of learning must forever command
our gratitude and admiration. Common schools
have always been within the reach of every
child in the state, and it has been the honorable
ambition of every parent to deny his children
no necessary opportunity for attending them.
Nor has this been the limit Of their ambition
Many generous father,whle following the pillow
himself, has sent his children from home, thai
they might by having better means of educa'
! ton, qualify themselves for more extensive
usefulness.
1t is true that all this could not be accom-,
! plshed by Legislation alone. But wise and
wholesome laws have laid the foundation oil
this, as they have Of all other useful social IN
stitutions.
! Iflegislation presents the means and points
IN the benefits of education. there is no reason
TO apprehend rhst they will not be gladly &C.
cepted. The example and encouragement,
which it is in our power 10 afford, are all thai
is necessary not only TO support and preserve
our present system. but greatly to extend and
improve it. If our fathers bestowed on us a
better education than they had the means o.
| enjoying, shall we fall behind them in benevo
lent effortl Let US rather emulate their exam
pie, and make our endeavors surpass our abii
ties as they did.
While then, would recommend to you tina
| scrutiny and vigilance respecting our common