Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-10-25
VOL. XII NO. 8.

given in the report ofthe Trustees, in which
persons have, after arrangement of from
~ TO 90 years, been taken, in conditions of
horrible wretchedness, from cages and cells,
their chains knocked off, and within few
weeks from their entrance into the Asylum.
have been persuaded to enjoy the luxury Of
comfortable beds, and with safety admitted
10 receive their food with knives and forks
at common table.
! am happy to learn that since the last re-
port, additions to the buildings have been
completed, so as, in the opinion of the
Trustees, to furnish accommodations fully
adequate TO the wants of the State. 1t APP
pears also, that reduction has been made
in the terms Of admission, by reason of
the means which additional buildings have
furnished for the accommodation of greater
number of patients, without the necessity Of
increasing the number Of officers of the
Asylum.
1t is an exceedingly fitting and important
arrangement in the institution, that facilities
are furnished for the employment of the in
mates in the occupations to which they have
been accustomed-the influence of which,
with appropriate amusement, upon their
health, aud as means of restoration to mem
tai soundness, is apparent.
1t appears that the income, during the
past year, has been, 1851 Ia more than the
expenditures; leaving, as general result,
after allowing for bad debts, small balance
in favor OF the institution.
The report of the Trustees bears strong
testimony to the judicious management Of
the Superintendent; to whose exertions the
state is evidently very greatly indebted for
the success of this valuable institution, in
accomplishing the humane purpose Of its
establishment
The appeal at the close Of the report of
the Trustees, in behalf Of the insane poor Of
the state, is worthy of considerations There
is no conceivable claim upon Christian char
iiy so strong as that which comes from those
who are destitute alike Of reason, and of ap-
propriate means for its restoration. That
claim, il is feared, will not be adequately
met by towns chargeable with the support
and maintenance of such poor-the furnish
ing them the means of restoration 10 mental
soundness, or even Of ameliorating their in
sanity in cases where it is supposed to be in
durable, constituting, under existing laws, no
part of the legal duty of the towns Wteth-
err il such duty was imposed on them, it
would result in securing the needed relief,
or securing it as promptly and effeciually as
IT should be, may perhaps admit Of ques-
ton. submit whether further provision
should not be made by law. for securing the
benefits of the asylum to all the insane poor
within the State.
The term of one OF the Senators of this
J State in the Congress of the United States
} will expire on the third of March next. Il
will, therefore, become your duty to elect
person to represent this State in The Senate
of the United States for six years from and
after that time.
: have received from my predecessor sun
dry resolutions Of other States of the Union,
J communicated to him with requests that they
| should be laid before the Legislature of this
: State. ] shall make them the subject of
: future communication.
: Thus far | have called your attention TO
! subjects Immediately connected with our do
! nestle policy, and falling. exclusively, with
! in the range of our State legislation. Bat
we constitute part of another government
whose action vitality affects us, as commu-
: nifty, and as a member of the confederacy
: II is proper, therefore, that should devote
some attention in this communication. TO
! The questions connected with The admins.
: tration of that government, which now agi-
, tate the country and demand the attention of
US all.
, The question of protection TO American
labor and capital, in their competition. with
l the labor aud capital of foreign countries. is
? one which comes home to the business and
interests of the whole community The vast
variety of the soil and climate of our coun-
{ try, and of the genius and inclinations of its
: people, plainly indicates that diversity of
} employment and pursuit is essential TO the
E full Development of its capacities for inn
I provement 1t was sense of this, Impress
: ed by the practical workings of foreign COM
{ petition, that formed leading motive 10 the
{ adoption of the constitution The "more
! perfect union" Of which that constitution
/, was the bond, was scarcely, in any respect,
: more important than in the means which
: uniform regulations of commerce furnished
for the counteraction of the foreign policy
: which sought to establish our workshops
{ abroad, and make our people tributary 10
E the cheap labor and abundant capital of 9TH
l err countries, This purpose of The constitu-
5 ton was carried out in The first revenue law
passed under it, whose trainers were careful
: expressly to declare, in its memorable pre-
amble, that the duties il imposed, were laid
! 'for the encouragement and protection OF
: manufactures" And if there is any policy
which. more than any other, has marked our
, history, il is the policy, of which that pre-
amble was the earnest and the pledge, Ii
: is under this creative power that manufactu-
ring establishments have sprung up in al
most every part of the country sending the