Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-18

unless the people can be brought to take deep
interest in it. There must be the cooperation
of an enlightened public sentiment, or nothing
will be done We may legislaic, and must leg
isla'e but after all, little can be effected mere
~ by the pressure OF legislation. IL must be
adapted to awaken, and concentrate, and give
effect to the energies of the community. And
what cannot Vermont accomplish in this matter
if she shall undertake! and what motives to un-
dertake, and 20 pcrsevere, can be compared with
those which are connected with the vast results
Of the mental and moral training Of her children!
The carrying out, and pcrfcctng, Of an ade-
qnate system of educational improvement wills
Of course, involve ultimately a considerable en-
penditure bur as the necessity for it shall arise.
will the gradually unfolding Benefits Of the sys-
TEN make the contributions to sustain II, easy,
and their burden light. The expenditure on the
part of the State, necessary to commence the
system, through the agency 0' State Superin-
tenden', and Cuunty tJupciintCuicn>, need mo-
be great-not much greater, in the language OF
the report of the committee 10 which have re.
icrred than "Ihe people of Vermont have paid
annually for killing foxes"
Vermont has an enviabe name abroad. Let
her maintain it. Lat her emulate the efforts of
New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts,
She ought, indeed, to 90 beyond them. No
upon.-none that can be wrought into more
beautiful and durable monuments of public be-
neticencc and lberay.
In respect to the Ultimate expenditure that
may be needed for the purchase OF district
school libraries, and chemical and Philosophical
apparatus and globes; for making provision in
the colleges and academies, or in separate instr
tuions, or the teaching of instructors, and Tor
aid in the repairs and construction OF school
honses-we may hope that we shall at no dis
tant day, possess ample means, in our distrlbu-
tory share of the proceeds Of the sales OF the
public lands. It would be an appropriation wor-
thy the noble inheritance of freedom which, with
a large portion Of those lands, was bequeathed
to us by our revolutionary fathers. 1t was, in.
deed. benevolent and fitting arrangement, in
the order of Providence that the same sever
ance from the parent country which gave us in
dependence, gave us also great domain, capa.
Bile OF dispensing so widely the blessings OF ed.
ucatIon, and of rendering this nation model ct
virtue. intelligence, and good government, for
the world.
! have dwell longer or tie subject Of educa.
ton than may, perhFps, be deemed appropriate
for an executive message but its very great
Importance must b. my apology. 1t is, in my
judgment. Of more mpor ance than any other
subject that can possibly engage the attention of
the legislature.
| A consideration OF the means of developing
the mind Of the State naturally suggests the
idea of developing the riches of its minerals and
It's soils. My predecessors have frequently
recommended geological survey of the State.
| in which fully concur; and invite to the subject
your special attention. If we would deveope
mind, and apply it to its great purposes, we
study and analyZe il, that we may understand iis
capacities and nowers Thus should we do with
the soil we nlabit: Here we are in its daily
cultivation, drawing from 1t our support; and
shall we remain ignorant of its properties, its
defects and the means of supplying them, only
as ,ardv experience shall disclose them to us
! We want a scientific, thorough, universal EXAM
nation OF the various soils Of the state. involving
a complete analysis and class iicaton of the
whole, and such an exploration as shall reach, il
possible, all the ferlalzing substances which
can be made available for the amcliora,;on of
our Soils and the stimulating hem TO their high.
est practicable power OF production. There are
localities where the discovery of bed OF lime
stone would be more valuable than mine of
gold. The same may be said Of iiar gypsum,
peat, and other substances, appropriate, either
slngly or in combination, to supply deficient cle-
menrs in unproductve soils.
1t is hardly necessary ~ speak of the probable
Development OF mineral resources of which we
have an earnest in our iron, copperas copper,
manganese, and other mineral treasures.
II is needless to say that such result will moi
be brought out, except under examinations eff
ected by legislative authority and at public ex-
,ense. Such examinations have been made by
other States; and the results are before the
: world ] mean the immediate results for the
.reat results are yet to come forth in mingled
mass Of benefits. spreading themselves over the
= surface of our country, while there is soil Il
yield its fruits TO the labors of man.
BY enquiries made two wears ago, learned
that, at that time, geological surveys had beer
authorized in every State in the Union, except
ing Vermont, Alabama, Missssipp Louisiana
, ,rkansas, and Illinois. The lone position o
Vermont in this classification, is some shat strk
l ing. 1t is for you 10 say whether we shall re-
: main in this position any longer.
This subject derives great additional impor
tance from considerable of the emigration
! which has, at some periods, rapidly, and still
' does, to a considerable extent, drain the pupula
. ton Of our State. If we would train our PEG
pie at home, let us show them what Vermont is
and what she is capable of becoming, as an az
rcultural State.
D il The people could fully perceive the impor
i tance of d geological survey, doub. not, they
!, would esteem II privilege to be taxed at onc'
$ an amount sufficient tn complete The work. Tn,
: whole expense Of completing, and publishing
: survey, would not, probably, involve burden
S exceeding three cents upon each individual il
r the State; which might be spread over two o
more years should it be deemed expedlenr.
= This subject is invested with still further i'm
s pOrtance from the fact, rail roads are approach
ing our Siate--at no distant day, we may hop,
to pass through it--whch will greatly enhance
the value of our agricultural, as well as our min
r l,r, al ,l.a.