The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-10-21
GOVERNORS MESSAGE,

SeHtdItCes we are assembled IN the character OF
Representatives, of the people, to consult upon their
interests, and to execute their will. It becomes u.s.
on entering our duties, first of all 10 carry our
minds up to the Author Of being; to acknowledge
Him as tho rightrul Of authority, md
make his will the and tho motive of our du
ty II, IN all our ways, we should acknowledge Him,
we should especially do so, upon becoming invested
with powers whose appropriate exercise requires EN-
inenty, the wisdom that comes from above. Our
sPonsibli,y is, Immediately, to the people whose
wants we are, but, ultimately to Him who will Judge
both the people and us.
We come together under circumstances Of peculiar
favor. The season has been crowned with blessing.
Our fields have yielded an abundant harvest, and
people have been exempted from wasting disease
Labor has been protected and rewarded and peace
regns within borders. We are blessed with the
steady aud impartial administration of Justice and cor
tinue to enjoy the invaluable privilege Of selecting by
our free sufrages, those who shall mako and exc
cute our laws.
Among the first duties you will be called on TO per-
form is that ofselecting men to fill the judcinl and
executive offices Of the government which the cons-
luton has wisely committed TO your hands. From
among such people as this, there be Difficult
~ in selecting men of upright minds, fppre morals
oil tired integrity and of sound intelligence, to fill the
various offices within your gift The power of office
and the power of personal example and influence,
never be separated and he bears the sword of justice
IN vain who counteracts by the one what he endeav
ora to enforce by the other.
But your principal labor lies in the broad field Of
Legislation We are selected and sent here, from
among tho people withwhose 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 sullrnges, has been
committed IN us. is their overnWent-''instiuted,"
IN the language Of our bill Of rights, 'for the
benefit, protection and security Of the people, and
for The particular en!oument advantage of any sin
gle man, family or set Of men," The highest good
OF the people, and Of all the people, therefore it is our
great business 10 secure
The establishment Of justice, in the perfect protec-
ton OF rights, is the primary end Of government and
IN It's broad and comprehensive bearings, embraces
very large portion Of all appropriate legislation But
there is a field beyond this. The beneficent action
OF government may and ought to be felt in the promo
ton OF virtue in the suppression Of vice. in the dfu-
sion OF intelligence, in the develope ment of mind in
the encouragement OF industry, and in the drawing
forth from the earth, which God hns given FOR our
temporary habtution its teemng riches, to make
them snbservient TO the purposes Of their g in the
wisdom and goodness Of their great Author. In
short, it is the duty ofgovernmeut to perfect by wise
discreet and iimsy action the great purposes of the
social organization.
In surveying the field Of our duties, there would
seem to be subject claiming higher attention than
that of education. This subject has been repeated
y brought to the notice of the Legislature by my pre
decessors, and several legislative reports have been
made upon II, The result Of a report made in the
year ls1l, was the appointment by the Governor, OF
committee, who presented to the legislature, at the
following session, an elaborate and able report
tanning facts and suggestions of great importance.
commend that report to your consideration.
Improvement is tho great law OF our individual and
social existence. The means OF Il are furnished in a
greater or less degree, to all and all whether indi
viduals communities are accountab bic for the right
Improvement OF them. This accountability rests, with
peculiar weight upon US, in connection with the sub
Ject OF educntion-vially connected il il, not only
with our individual well being, but with the presef-
vatlon and perpetuity of the institutions are per-
m nod IN amin onHrn oil az,
dren. These institutions will, inevitably, take the
character OF the people. whatever that character may
be- The hest constitutions Of government can inter-
pose but feeble barrier to the corrupting influences
OF ignorance and moral debasement. Their beautiful
and solid structures will sink and crumble when they
shall cease 10 rest on the foundations of public and
private viltue and universal Intelligence.
This obvious truth is full of instruction to those up
on whom rests the responsibility of making laws
Their duty is but half performed when thew have
,made laws to gorern the people. II is higher and
more difficult duty to adoptn system of legislation
which shall have the effect Of making the people a
law, and a good and safe law, themselves The
most efficient laws nre those which govern, not by
the power of the sword but by the silent influence of
vlrtuous and enlightened principle. To educate n
people, then becomes an indispensable part Of egsa
uon-on appropriate and necessary instrument for
ecutng the aws-an instrument far efficient
than the strongest military force; while the
time, it gives to State high-mnded, vrtuous, intel
ligent men, 10 become its strength its defence and
its glory. tr.
But what is education Ito is not merely the !
learning which numbers the brain. 1t is the dsci-
pine OF the mind and the MISUNDERSTANDING their
pncltles, strengthening their powers, and training |
them to practical usefulness. Our children should be |
learned TO thnk-to discrinInate-to feel the
cous power of cultivated intellect and the purifying,
and elevating influence of Christian principle. Aud |
this education should be universal, reaching the hum
Bile howell as well as the spacious mansion, and thus |
bringing out the children ofthe poor and the rich, to