Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-10-27
V Ok. XIV NO. 6.


those who themselves most felt the want Of educa-
ton, were most careful that their children should
not grow up in ignoracne, and the efforts thew
made 10 establish and support common schools
and Summaries for the higher branches of learn
ing, must forever command our gratitude and ud-
mlra.IoA. Common schools 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 for attending them Nor has this
been the limit of their ambition. Many a gen.
erous father, while following 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 all this could not be accom-
pIished by Legislation alone But wise and whole
some 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 reason to ap-
prehend that they will not be gladly accepted
The example and encouragement which it is
in our power to afford, all that Is necessary
only to support and preserve our present system,
bet greatly to extend and improve it. If our
fathers have bestowed US better education
Than they had the means of enjoying, shall we
fall behind them in benevolent efforts? Let US
rather emu ate their example, and make our en-
deavols to surpass our abilities as they did.
While, then, | would recommend to you that
scrutiny and vigilance respecting our common
school system, which are so constantly necessary,
and pecunary provisionas liberal as they have
| annually receved,-l would commends to your
favorable regard, our higher semlnaries of learn.
ing These are the nurseries ofour professional
men, and they consequently exert a~great influence
on our society as our common schools, If it is
| important that our farmers and mechanics should
! be we'll qualified for usefulness and responsibility
in their ca!!ings, it is equally essential that
clergvmen our statesmen, our physicians and our
school masters 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 high
err fountains of knowledge, and to no object
the bounty of the legislature be more properly
directed, than to placing the higher branches Of
learning whing the reach of those who have
not themselves the means Of obtaining them with
out some assistance.
would not wish to be understood in these re-
marks, as intendingto recommend any undue pro-
fusion in the expenditure of public money. On
the contrary, l should be the last to advise or
consent 10 such a course of Legislation. 1t is my
daty to direct your attention to measures of pub
lie interest but you are the proper judges of the
fitness expectancy, and practlcabili:y of those
measures. Economy, not less than intellectual
cultivation, is essential to a well regulated COM
munity; and it would i'll become US, while en-
deavorng TO improve our fellow men by educa-
ton, TO corrupt them by an example of extraya-
gance.
Nothing in my opinion will more conduct 10
1.-The advancement of The wealth and prosperity of
the people, than geoIo2 survey of the slate.
| The time has arrived whenour interests seem I'M
perativeIy to require that such survey should
no longer be postponed. The. earth has been
sufficiently cleared OF its forests to admit of the
necessary examination, and the expense attending
it, will be trifing, compared with the benefits 10
be expected from it. Similar surveys have al
read been made 10 many ofthe states, which have
opened new and highly productive sources, of
wealth. Very encouraging indications have al
ready been discovered of The existence Of valuable
ores and minerals in different parts of the state.
: Agriculture will derive great advantages from
the light which science cannot fail to throw upon
j., the native character and varieties of our soil
Should useful ores be discovered, it will open a
new felc for industry, and by Increasing the num-
Der Of consumers Of agricuiturdl products, add a
new impulse to the enterprise of the farmer.
Should you agree with me as to the expediency
of providing or such an undertaking, [ would
d suggest that it should embrace an examination
S into the botany Of the state. The success of the
enterprise, must ofcourse depend, in great meas,
a ure, upon the qualifications OF those who may
il be selectedto carry il into exec tion.
Under the census of l840 new apportion.
ment ofthe members ofthe House of Represent
a tives of the Congress of the United States mus
; necessarily be made. Il will therefore become
your duty, either to direct the election, by gener
+ al ticket,at the annual freemens meeting in l84l
tofas many members as may, under-suc appor
tionmen,, be assigned TO Vermont, or to postpone
= the election to day beyond the next session 0
the Legislature, thereby giving to that body tn
opportunity to make the necessary provisions Of
the subject.
Communications have been received by III
g Executive from the constituted authorities Of He
~ Majesty's Province of Canada, relating 10 the re
III cent outrage upon our northern frontier, in tn
" seizure, and abduction beyond the limits thereo
IS OF citizen of this State. l shall take an earl
opportunity, by special message, to lay these doc
as uments before you.
~ Congress. during tie last session, among othe
" measures for the benefit and relief OF the country
provided for the distribution of the proceeds Of th
NC X public lands among the states. Vermont will
TO- annually entitled, under this law, to large SUI
es' of money and will be necessary that you shou
aid Ia "a