The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-25
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
FeHow Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives:

Vi
r upon the welfare of the people of this State
and to make such provisions for their improve
ment as your wisdom may devise. Since we
were last assembled here, our country has
been in the enjoyment of all the blessings
which a bountiful Providence could bestow
and the year has been distinguished by several
events which can hardly fail to add to the
general prosperity and happiness.
In a spirit Of matual concession and for
bearance, the Governments of the United
States and Great Britain have, by treaty, sue
ceeded in removing those causes of discord
and animosity between the two countries,
which had become so alarming, and in laying
the foundation for a wise and, l trust, a lasting
peace. The negotiation of this treaty, con-
Quoted, as it has been, with a view to the
good Of man rather than fer the qualification
of his passions, is an honor to the age and to
the nations engaged in it.
The great interests Of our beloved country
have also been rescued from the destruction
which seemed impending over them, by the
wise and magnanimous efforts of Congress to
secure a Tariff of duties adequate to protect
them. When We look back upon the strife
of elements, from which have proceeded the
blessings of peace and protection to domestic
industry, the two greatest interests, perhaps,
which it is the duty of the national govern
ment TO guard, we find abundant cause for
gratitude toward the Disposer of the hearts of
men.
We have now every reason to hope that
the prosperity of the country will begin again
TO revive nor can we be in immediate dam
ger of repeating those experiments upon it,
the fruits of which have already been so Bit
ter. Experience, so dearly purchased, can
not have failed to teach us wisdom and pru-
dence for the future. The trials Of adversely,
and especially those which are self inflicted,
have their uses for nations not less than fer
individuals. We have only to look back up
on what we have suffered. and upon what we
might have enjoyed, to learn the extent of our
blindness and folly.
But we should greatly err, in our review
of the past, were we to impute all the blame
to our rulers. 1t was ourselves, individually,
who were first at fiult. We had become too
insensible of the inestimable advantages of
self government, and of the unceasing watch
fulness and activity which such government
always demands of those who would enjoy it.
We have perhaps yet to learn how eminently,
above all other nations, we are blessed in our
form of government but we certainly ought
to have discovered, by this time, that, wheth-
er We are well or i'll governed, must depend
wholly on ourselves.
Ii we have MEL gence, activity, and en-
ergy enough t. place and keep il power
honest and able rulers, rolil Cal sell govein-
ment is undoubtc dlv the best form Of which
we have any knowledge ; but ii we have
not these qualities, it is probably the worst.
Selfgnveinmen! arms us, for our protection
with the riyl; OF suffrage and with the pow
tr Of en- igh ening and improving our fell W.
men. These have b en- given US, not to be
thrown aside, or neglected at our %lea>ure
but TO be preserved and cherished, as the
choicest rights # frecmen. aid 10 be d H.
gently ard persevei ingly used OIL all occa-
siors. The de.tin es of o r beloved coun-
Try, are. in some d gree. in the "a. ds Of each
one OF us, and moi My the destinics Of our
own country. but thcse oil the human race.
On cur S ores liberty has inf ri, d her
standard. Ii she finds snis here worthy 10
bear n. t vi not only C nlinue 10 wave o.
yer our heads, but il W II >tand as a signal To
other nations. Lei US MOI then b. unmindi.l
ii cur high re-ponsib lit es bit It rs lace
'ur duties 10 our country and hyr in I iu-
ions next afi,r thos: 10 religion and our
Maker.
Ia locking bcck upon the events Of tie
past year We Fl I'd reason To b. gra e ] not
only thal We have escaped tie dangers Of
fore IN. liut the inrr rs Il a CIV war J.,
credible as i. may appear. n an age and
country ke ours, vi a very few nun h
sine almost II"Lr ou n ue ghh"rlio d snn,
have II I'm arme.l against fat eIs. a I'd bro II
ers against bruIhe s, and IRA / 5 al ar l.r,
ave b en- pointed with d adly inleit. whd
a~tciitnt ore as prevented The Igi TIM
Of the mate / which might have de- 'uee ur
VIII lie Ct IN rs Ini,louh. >iud.E rIu think
tia the spri OF parry has. $" soon, and
with lii lie C use, involved u> in a scene
] Ike III S. Th. da iger we have just escaped
is The greatest and IN ,si al pa lin. vi II
which we h ave been threaten q Il, CT we
bee ,rne a %nalion. Ii was nj, her imaginary
nor uncer a n in magn iu,le. lIaIempt d :"
conceal the odious features of re-! e on. and
assume the more attractive finn Of tlsIifdl,Ie
uli n. Ia this d sguise it APT rartdt",
and enlisted lynn aiilieS which hal ORR
inalIy no corc,rn with ii. and it was then,
an rot b 70 e. that became lie cause Of
re eraI an vel or unded ALARM ll"wev-
er we NAV he divided b. state lines " hrn in.
ternal or external wars are ihreatened, we
are but one people. Whatever may he the
cause of rebellion, or revolution in a single