The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-17
MESSAGE.
Ftllow Citizens Of The Senate,


We are assembled in the character of
representatives OF the people, to consuI,
upon their Interests, and 10 execute their
Will. 1t becomes US, On entering upon our
duties, first of all to carry cuI minds up
TO the Author OF our being; 10 acknow!.
edge Him as the righlful source OF our
authority, and 10 make his will the IL cas-
ure and The motive Of our duty. If, in all
our ways, we should acknowledge Hun
we should especially do so, upon becom-
lug invested with power, whose appropri-
ate exercise requires, eminen,ly the Wis
dom that comes from above. Oar 7espcn.
sIblllty is, Immediately, to the people
whose servants we are, but, ultimately, to
tim who will Judge both the people and
us.
We come together under circumstance
es Of pecu.iar favor. The season has
been crowned with blessing. Our fields
have yielded an abundant harvest, and our
people have been exempted from wasting
disease. Labor has been protected and
rewarded and peace reigns within cur
borders. We are blessed with The steady
and impartial administration Of jus ice,
and continue to enjoy the invaluable priv
IIeSe OF selecting, by our sufrages. those
Who shall make aud execute our luws.
Among the first duties you will be call.
ed on to perform, is that of selecting men
10 | the judicial and executive Offices Of
government, which the constitution has
wisely comhiltcd 10 your hands. From
among such people as this, there can
be no difficulty In selecting men ofupright
minds, OF pure morals, Of tried integrity
and of sound intelligence, to fill the vars
Gus offices within your gift. The power
OF office, and The power of personal exam.
pie aud influence, can never be separated;
and he bears the sword Of justice in vain,
who couneracts bythe one. what he en-.
beavers 10 eutorce by the other.
But your principal labor lies in The
broad field OF legislation We nre select
ed and sent here, from among the people;
with whose wishes and Interests we ought
to be thoroughly acquainted, and whose
welfare should be the end and aim Of our
Legislation. The government which, by
Their suflragps, has been committed 10 us,
is their governmeut-"iusti,u,ed," in he
language OF our bill of rights, "for the
common benefit, protection and security of
the people, ard no, for the particular e.
m"lumenI or advantage Of any single man.
or family, or sci Of men" The highes.
good OF The people, and Of all The people,
therefore, it Is our business 10 secure.
The establishment OF justice, in the per.
fec! protection Of rights, is the primary
end OF governments, and, in its broad and
comprehensive bearings,embraces vtrv
large portion Of all appropriate legislation.
But there is field beyond this. The
benthcent action of COVE, nent may, and
Dug ut to be felt in the promotion OF virtue,
IN the suppression of vice, in the diffusion
81 Intelligence, in the deveIotement Of
mInd, IN the encouragement OF industry,
ma IN the drawing forth from the earth,
which God has given Tor cur porary
iaoIlauon, ITS leeming riches to make
hem subServlent TO The pu rposs Of
his gilt, in The wisdom and goodness of
heIr great Author. In short, it is the
in'y OF government TO perfect by wise, dis
rect and limeI y action, the great purpos.
IS OF The social organization.
In surveying the field of our duties,
here would be no subject claiming high
r attention than that 0! Education. This
ubject has been rcpea lecIy brought 10 the
lolice OF the Legislature by my predeces.
ors, and several legislative reports have
een made upon it. The result of a re.
ort made in the year l84l, was the an-
ointment by the Governor, of q commit.
re, who presented to the legislature, at
he following session, dn elaborate and able
pport, containing facts and suggestions Of
reat importance. commend that report