The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-10-19
V o L. v. NO. II.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VERMONT.
10 the Editor of the Rutland Herald.

deeply connected with the interests and well
fare of the people of this State, confess
have had some anxiety 10 make inquiry and
give my reasons on the subject which
heads this article Though at the imminent
risk OF being roughly handled if happen
In yo"r opinion TO be on the wrong side.
In the first place | will premise that am
not opposed 10 an expenditure of ten, fifty,
or even one hundred thousand dollars if it
can, In any way, be made TO appear that
sufficient object is to be accomplished, or an
equivalent rendered. But ,Shdlure espe-
ca 10 lhlSeNvhe State continues deeply in
debt, unless some better reason, Than have
yet seen, can be given in its favor.
This is peculiarly an age of unbounded
speculation; of experiments-of humbugs,
and wastetul extravaganza in which whole
States are, if possible, as deeply involved
as individuals. Look at Illinois, Indiana,
Pennsylvania, Michigan, and many others;
and witness the splendid bubbles which
have burst in those States, leaving their
people buried beneath the mountain weight
Ct public debt, of which they scarcely
begin 10 pay the annual interest. Millions
expended on quixotic projects which have
returned for an equivalent nothing but aclu-
al bankruptcy and threatened repudiation.-
And you will pardon me if assert that
the man who had the honesty TO stand up
manfully in opposition TO these projects--to
this flood of expenditure, was called unpat-
riotic, illiberal-a Vanda : and was brand
ed then, as he sometimes is now, with the
charge of "appealing 10 miserable penu-
robustness; or The more contemplate appeal
to ignorant prejudces.r'
These "reminiscences should teach lesson
OF caution TO other States, whether in or
out OF debt, not to engage in any project
which promises no adequate relurn. If they
do, the destruction of public credit will be
the inevitable consequence.
All the reasons have seen rendered in
favor Of this survey are the four following,
and with your permission will briefly al
lude to them.
l. Other States have had and completed
such surveys. 2. Mineral deposits would
probably be discovered. 3. 1t would attract
general attention 10 the subject, and dissem-
male knowledge of geological science. 4.
1t would advance the interests of agricul-
ture.
|
1st. Now the fact that other States have
executed such surveys proves nothing IF
useJ Unless you eau show, Mr. Editor,
that those States have derived particular
benefit, somewhat equal to the vast amount
of money expended the case is, 10 say the
least. prima tttcie one against you. The
question is in issue, and the burthen of proof
rests on you. What equivalent ask then,
has Massachusetts received for the quarter
of million she has expended on her sur
veys, unless it be the heavy public debt
| incurred. and under which she still Iabors.
And repeat the same question concerning
New Hampshire, RhodeIsland and New
York.
81. Mineral deposits might be discovered.
And we are called upon 10 exchange a GER
tainty for an uncertainty. Tax people
composed chiefly of farmers already in debt,
at time too, when the prices Of their pro-
duce are greatly depressed - 10 raise, per-
haps, 10 the whole, $500 900, and for what ?
Why, because some mineral deposit may
possibly be found which will benefit, not
only the owner of the land on which il is
discovered. but also few worthy French
men, Irishmen and teamsters employed, by
the owner to dig, work and transport it
No one expects to find gold, silver, or coal
mines in Vermont. And as 10 tie useful
minerals and formations, such as iron, man
ganese, copperas, marble, &C., they have
already been found in endless quantities
and varieties. But with all these advan-
tages The owners of these quarries have,
most of them, manufactured at loss, in
stead of profit, and consequently failed.
Sd. In reply to the third reason would
ask, whether the people have not in their
power all the means of obtaining geological
knowledge from standard works already
published? If knowledge of this science
is desired merely, then every one has the
same means of studying this, as they have
other sciences and the 5000 600 had better
be expended in support of common schools.
Besides, what has become of the Reports Of
DR.. Jackson, on New Hampshire, Rhode
Island and those of other States ? Have
ed their stock of geological knowledge from
IhnSn ti,n,r