The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-16


Over all the other functionaries entruste
with the execution of their system, is the Min
lister ofPublic Justice, who is member @
the Kings Cabinet. "Such has also beel
the case in France since the late organization
of their system Of public instruction."
Under the New York system, it is the dut
of the County Superintendents to visit tn,
schools in their respective counties, consul
with the teachers, and town superintendent
deliver lectures on education, and endeavo
TO awaken an increased interest on the sub
Ject of common school education. Thes,
latter requ;sitions form very important par
oil that system; as it is obviously vain to at
tempt reform unless the people can b.
brought to take deep interest in it. There
must be the cooperation of an enlightened
public sentiment, or nothing will be done
we may iegislate, and must legislate; but
after all, little can be effected merely by the
high pressure of legislation. 1t 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 mo-
tives to undertake, and to preserve, can be
compared with those which are connected
with the vast results Of the mental and moral
| Training OF ner cnll0ren
The carrying out, and perfecting, of an
adequate system Of educational improvement
will, OF course, involve ultimately, consider
able expenditure; but as the necessity for il
shall arise, will the gradually unfolding bene
hts OF the system make the contributions to
sustain it, easy, and their burden light. The
expenditure on the part of the State, necess-
AIRY TO commence the system, through the
agency ola State Superintendent, and coun-
ty superintendent, need not be great-uot
much greater, in the language of the report
OF the committee to which have referred,
than 'the people Of Vermont have paid an
nually for killing foxes"
Vermont has an enviable name abroad.
Let her maintain it. Let her emulate the eff.
orts of New York, Connecticut and Massa-
chusetts. She ought, indeed, to 20 beyond
them. No State in the Union has such
material to work upon,-none that can be
wrought into more beautiful and durable
monuments Of public benefcence and liberal
ity.
In respect to the ultimate expenditure that
may be needed for the purchase of district
school Libraries, and chemical and phlisopb
lcal apparatus and globes,-for making pro-
vision IN the colleges and academies, or in
separate institutions, for the teaching of in
structors, and for aid in the repairs and con-
struction of school houses-we NAV hone
tnat we shall, at no distant day, possess am
pie means, in our distributory share of the
proceeds ofthe sales of the public lands. II
would be an appropriation worthy the noble
inheritance of freedom which, with a large
portion OF those lands, was bequeathed to us
by our revolutionary fathers. /, as.indeed
benevolent and fitting arrangement, in the
order OF Providence, that the same severance
from the parent country which gave us indie
Pendence, gave us, also great domain, capa-
Bile oil dispensing so widely the blessings of
education, and of rendering this nation a
model OF virtue, intelligence, and good gov
eminent for the world.
nave dwelt longer on the subject of edu-
eation than may, perhaps, be deemed ap-
ProPriate Tor an executive message; but its
very great importance must be my apology.
IT'S IN my judgement, of more importance
IMAM any other subject that eau possibly en-
gage the attention of the legislature.
consideration Of the means of developing
the mind Of the State naturally suggests the
Yea oil developing the riches of its minerals
and Its soils. My predecessors have frequent
" recommended geological survey Of the
Hta'e, IN which fully concur; and invite to
the subject your special attention. five
would develop mind, and apply it to its great
purposes, we study and analyze it, that we
may understand its capacities and powers.
thus should we do with the soil we inhabit.
Here we are, in its daily cultivation, drawing
rom 1t our own support; and shall we re-
mann ignorant oil Its properties, its defects and
Inc means OF supplying them, only as Iardy
experience shall disclose them to us! We
want scientific, thorough, universal exam
inaiton OF the various soils of the state. in
voivlng a complete analysis and classification
oil the whole, and such an exploration as
snail reach, If possible all the fertiizing sub
stances which eau be made available for the
ameiioration of our soils, and the stimulating
ihem 10 Their highest practicable mower Of
production. There are localities where the
discovery ola bed Of limestone would be
more valuable than mine Of gold. The
same may be said Of mari, gypsum, peat and
other substances, appropriate. either sinely or
10 combination, to supply deficient elements
IN unproductive soils.
1t IS hardly necessary to speak of the prob
able development Of the mineral resources.
oil winch we have an earnest in our iron, COP
pefaS' copper, manganese, and other mineral
treasures.
1t IS needless to say that such results will
not he brought out, except under examina-
tlons effected by legislative authority, and at
public expense. Such examinations have |
been made by other States; and the results |
are before the world. mean the immediate |
results; for the great practical results are yet
10 come forth in mingled mass of benefits, !
spreading themselves over The surface of our
country, while there is soil to yield its fruits |
TO the labors Of man.
by enquiries made two years ago, Learned |
tha'' at that time, geological surveys had |
been authorized in every State in the Union, |
excepting Vermont, Alabama, Mississippi. |
Louisiana. Arkansas, and Illinois. The lone |
position of Vermont in this classification. is
somewhat striking. 1t is for You to say
whether we shall remain in this position any
longer.
This subject derives great additional i'm
portance from consideration of the emigra-
Iion which has, at some periods, rapidly, and
still does, to a considerable extent drain the
population Of our State. live would retain
our people at home, let us show them what
Vermont is, and what it is capable of becom-