The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-10-26
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Li0lc Citizens of the Senate

FeLiOm Citizens of the Senate
and ojtAe House Of Representatives :
First fail, as it becomes the agents OF
a religious people, let US publicly &C
knowledge the Divine goodness in con-
,inuing unto us our Liberties. as a state,
and as nation; for the good measure Of
health enjoyed by the people of this COM
monwealh, and for toe abundant produc-
tons OF the earth aud ask wisdom from
above, that we may fifty perform the du-
ties for which we are assembled.
The legislation Of this state has gener-
ally been characterized by so much pru-
dence and Intelligence, that any advice or
caution by ME, of IA general nature, would
be quite snperfluous.
The condition of the inhabitants of this
state is, upon the whole, probably as good
as that OF any other people. We are an
Intelligent, moral and uw-ab ding people !;
We lave institutions, securing the liberty
and rights of the citzons we have fer
tile SOIL il heallhtul and invigoratng CHI
mate, and industrious habits which ena-
bic US to surpass any other safe in the
Union, according to our population, in the
vane Of our agricultural productions.
The subject of Education, in all its
branches, is Of such vital importance to a
free people, 50 Intimately connected with
the individual welfare of the members of
n STATE, and so Indispensable to the very
existence of the blessings flowing from
free institutions and representative govern.
that IL III At
should annually have attracted the aten-
ton of both the Legislative and Execu-
tive departments.
Common school education is perhaps
as generally dif1used, among all classes of
people in this state, as among any other
community. in the United States or else
where; yet the system now IN operation
is far from realizing all the advantages
which ought TO be expected from it. 1t is
doubtless susceptible OF great improve
mens; aud the efforts which have been
made in several Of our sister states, within
a few years, to invt s!igate and obvlale
Numerous evils, and 10 Introduce a great
er-degree Of uniformity and more eff len
cy In common school instruction, have
not been without their beneficial inhu-
ence. Let US profit by the example Of
others.
Valuable suggestions on this subject are
contained in successive reports, made Sy
legislative committees, during the two past
years. Our higher institutions of learn
ing, connected intimately, as they are
with our common schools, and exelting
an immense influence upon the intel Iect-
uaI condition of our citizens, ought also 10
receive the fostering care of the LsgI
lure. No system would be perfect which
should exclude these from consideration.
Whether the creation of a Board of Edu-
cation, with the powers and duties con.
lempIaled in the Legislative report of last
year, will not prepare the way Tor lh9 in
PRODUCTION of great improvements, is sub
mtted for your mature consideration.
The Militia, without which there would
be no safety to our government or coun-
try, are too apt TO receive an annual COM
piment and then be neglected Whether
the law for the improvement of their con-
dtion, which had been prepared with
great care, and passed at the last session,
will prove useful and satisfactory TO that
numerous and patriotic body Of citizen
soldiers, for whose regulation and benefit it
wac made, | am not able at present TO de-
teimlne! and perhaps there has not been