The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-22
GOVERNORS MESSAGE,

reSentatires;
The people of this State have reposed in oul
hands for the ensuing year the power of legislation
and government; and the first and the most grati.
flying duty we have to peform in their name. and
as their representatives, is TO acknowledge the con.
rinued favors ofProvidence. The earth has Welded
its annual increase health, happiness and prosperi
~ smile upon our land land we still enjoy the bless
ngs of free government, and peace is as yet with
IN our borders So far as regards the present con-
don OF our state, al no period have we been call
ed upon for more unieigned expression of graft
tude to the Giver of all good,
The legislative provisions which yon will be call
ed upon to make for the people of this state, will
be, like their wants. few and simple. The wisdom
of your predecessors will furnish you with the SAT
est guide, and it has probably left few alterations
to be devised in our domestic policy, Still it is
your duty diligently to consider any Improvement
which may be suggested, and to leave nothing I'M
done, which may promote the general welfare.
Education Is a subject which cannot fail to COM
n'and your earnest attention, 1t is true that no
community can boast of more widely and unver-
sally dlused instruction than ours, and it might
therefore appear useless TO urge this tonic upon
your consideration. But we must continually bear
in mind that il is not the result ofaccidenl that the
people of this state, with so few exceptions, can all
read and write, and have enjoyed the benefit of at
least good English education They owe their
happy and enyiabe condition, in this respect en-
tlreIy to the unceasing solicude and wise legsIa-
ton OF our ioreiathers. While our state was vet
almost wilderness, those who themselves most
felt the want of education, were most careful that
Their children should not grow up in ignorance
ana the efforts they made TO establish and support
common schools and semnares for the HIGHER
branches OF learning, must forever command our
gratitude and admiration. Common schools have
always been within the immediate reach of every
child IN the state, and it has been the honorable
ambition ofevery parent to deny his children no
necessary opportunity to attend them. Nor has
this been the limit of their ambition. Many gem
erous father, while following the plough himself,
has sent his children from home, that they might,
by having Detter means of education, qualify them
selves for more extensive usefulness
1t is true that all this could not be accomplished
by legislation alone. But wise and wholesome
laws have laid the foundation Of this, as they have
of all other useful social institutions.
If legislation presents the means and points TO
the benefits of education there is no reason to APP
prehend that they will not be gladly accepted, The
example and encouragement, which it is in our
power TO afford, all that is necessary not only
to support and preserve our present system, but
greatly TO extend and improve it, If our fathers
have bestowed on us better education than they
had the means of enjoying, shall we fall behind
them in benevolent efforts Let us rather emulate
their example, and make our endeOyors surpass
our abilities as they did,
Willie, then, would recommend to YOU that
scrutiny and vigilance respecting our common
school system, which are so constantly necessary,
and Il pecuniary provision as liberal as they have
annually received,--l would commend to yonr
favorable regard, our higher semnares of learning.
These are The nurseries Of our professional men,
and the consequently exert as great an influence on
society as our common schools. II it is important
that our farmers and mechanics should be well
qualified for usefulness and respectfully in their
caIIings, it is equally essential that our cIergymen,
our statesman, our physicians and oul school mas
tiers should be so in theirs.
1t is hard, too, that the poor as well as the rich
should not be able to reach and drink at the higher
fountains acknowledge, and to no object can the
bounty Of the legislature be more properly d.
reccd than TO placing the higher branches of learn
ing within the reach oGlhose who have not them
selves the means Of obtaining, without assistance.
would not wish TO b" understood in these re-
marks, as intending to recommend any undue pro-
usion in the expenditure of public money. On the
contrary, should be the last to advise or consent
10 such course of legislation. 1t is my duty to
irect your attention 10 measures Of public interest,
but YOU are the proper Judges of the fitness expe-
liency, and practicability of those measures -
Economy, not less than intellectual cultivation is
essential TO well regulated COmmunely; and il
would i'll become us,whc endeayoring to improve
,ur fellow men by education, 10 corrup, them BY
IN example of extravaganza.
Nothing in my opinion will more conduce to the
advancement OF the wealth and prosperity of our
people, than geological survey Of the state. The |
ime has arrived when our interest seem mpern- |
lively 10 require that such survey should no lon
GER be postponed. The earth has been sufficiently .
feared of its forests TO admit Of the necessary en-
and the expense attending il, will be |
riiling, compared with the benefits to be expected
rom it. Similar surveys have already been made
n many of the states, which have opened new and .
tightly productive sources Of wealth. Very en-
ouragiug indications have already been discover
d Of the existence Of valuable ores and minerals
n different part of the state Agriculture will de-
i've great advantages from the light which science
nnnot fail 10 throw upon the native character and /
are,es Of our soil. Should useful ores be dis
oyered, it will open new field of industry, and |
" increasing the numbers of consumers of ngrcul-
ural products, add IA new impulse to the enter
rise Of the farmer. Should YOU agree with me as
o the eXpediency of providing for such an under
lking, would suggest that il should embrace an
EXAMINATION into the bottom of the state. The
uccess of the enterprise must Of course depend,
. great measure, upon The qualifications ofthcse
Tho may be selected TO carry il into execution.
Under the census Of $40 new npportonment
{ the members Of the House Of Representatives
{ the Congress Of the United States must neccs-