Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-08-11

towns Of this State, added to the moderate tax re-
quired by law to he rased with school houses and
other appurtenances, already at command, Sc
cures the means OF acquiring the elements OF
common school education, IL not TO its most desir-
able extent yet far beyond the means enjoyed by
our ancestors, aud to point not exceeded in any
OF the states. And yet these ancestors in their
desiitulion supplied the means of their own edu-
cation and laid the foundations of the institutions
Of The country. The want of the means of educa-
ton and improvement cannot therefore lie urged
as n reason why the present and succeeding gem
erations may not emulate and excel their fathers
In point of means we arc greatly in advance of
them, while in regard TO the estimation Of the
great objects to be secured by these means we fall
behind them. The possession OF wealth and the
enjoyment Oft nse and luxury and the refinements
of society, seems in US TO engross those encl gies
of the mind, which our ancestors employed III
laying the foundations Of society. The occasion
seldom now occurs to deveope the manly and
heroic qualities, which were common in the days
of our fathers We see not such instances Of
privation, OF restitution, of fortiiude aud indon-
liable perseverance,, for we live in the midst OF
abundance we have little occasion for furlitude
and perseverance for our wants are easily and
quickly supplied The occasion is wanting to
call out that stretch Of mental effort or physical
exertion, which were common sixty years ago.
At this rnte Of improvement rather Of deteri-
Grafton, the next generation will become eflemin-
ate if not solhfu and vicious.
In our superabundani benevoence and care for
the future, we shall place poserity in the position
of the wealthy prodigu, who lives bat to sqnander
the hard earnings of an ndugent parent In that
case the Kindness of the father would have been
much better consulted, by leaving the sen cast
wholly upon his own resources. 1t may be 81 in
in regard to the interests of posterty
How is it, that with all the lights of experience
and educaon added to all The facilities furnished
to their hand 10y the ripened and matured instu-
ton Of the country the succeeding generations OF
men will not he in condition To educate them
selves to any desirable extent! The history ofthe
past casts its ligh, the future and di>spnles all
solicitude oil the subject If with all the udvantn
ges othcir institutions, pOsterty cannot gaher the
harvest, which their fathers have sowed, they will
huve become degenerate sons indeed.
Is it then to he desired. that the present genera.
ton Of men he taxed to accumulate n fund, which
should it escape all the dangers 10 which il will be
exposed, and descend TO posterity, wanld he of
doubtful utility? IN deciding the probnbe in1n.
ence OF such fund on the interests Of education,
experience comes to our aid. 1t is admitted we
think beyond controversy, that in Connecticut,
where schools are supported 10y means OF fund,
and without such contribution by The people MS
will induce them to make the most ofiheir money
instruction has been much less efficient than
where The whole expense has been met Ivy taA.
This is precisely what was to be expected. That
which costs us nothing we value at nothing. That
which is common and always at hand, is like the
idle winds, which no man regards.
To the youth, who has always lived within the
sound ofthe college going bell, rural scenes have
charm not to be found in The halls of learning:
while the rustic boy whose secluded condition
has permitted all the circumstances of college
life 70 retain their original impressive novelty even
the tolls and privaons which lie between him and
the acquisition of collegiate honOrs, have n charm
irreslsby to attract him onward TO the attainment
oflhe object OF his high aspirations. lfdesure of
patronage, he ia OF NECESSITY cast on his own re-
Sources and he generally will find them sufficient,
while he who depends on diners, even should he
not be disappointed, will exhibit the inbecility of
the parasitic plant and will always fall with the
trunk which supports it. In this respect what is
true of individuals, is true OF the community com
posed of Individuals Both should he so far cast
on their own resources, as not TO depend ulii-
malely or principally on eXiraneous support. In
this view of the suhjecr, cannot consider The
proposed accumulation OF the school fund to $4,-
100000 even could it he placed IN position OF Sc
curity beyond the fear Of accident, to be either
necessary or desirable. AUDITOR.