Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-10-29

ly made, is absolutely certain. Conventions may
frame constitutions, and legislatures may enact
laws but all must ultimately rest on the will Of the
masses. The upheavngs Of popular sentiment
whenever and wherever, it is deeply moved, will
bear away the land marks of government and prop
ery, and even invade the sacred sanctuary of liber-
ty and life, unless it can be guided by intelligence
aud enlightened by'a sense of moral obligation.
! What then, in the whole circle of legislation is
so necessary, as to implant in tie young mind the
seeds OF intelligence and virtue to give such a
direction TO the intellectual and moral develop
ment Of the youth Of the State, as shall ensure obe-
dience to the laws, respect for established insti-
tuions-a veneration for all that is great in the
past and constant hope Of permananUy in the fu-
ture.
The State and its various institutions civil and
religious its laws regulating property, life and
personal liberty are all floating in the great cur
rent Of public opinion. lfy you would control and
regulate the acton of this mighty power, you must
ascend to its source where the bubbling fountain
| first gushes from the earth. Can the State, with
safety, yea, without turning aside from one OF
its most sacred unctions, commit The precious du.
ty of nsirncllng the young to The hazards Of indi-
vidua effort? Shall we pass laws for the prolcc-
ton OF property, shall we build vessels and spread
the sails of commerce TO augment our national
wealth, shall we construct rail ways from one end
of the country to the other and yet leave the i'm
mortal mind to grope It's own way from Infancy to
age? Must the teachers of our youth, those who
take their station in the school house, by the road.
side, aud there, day after day, wear away their
lives in subdung The refractory to order aud i'm
planting in the young mind the seeds Of inlelli-
gence aud virtue, receive no aid or counenance
ton the public authorities?
We do not permit the sculptor to fashion the hui
man body, or the painter to delineate the face, and
give expression to the human countenance, until
ne has made pilgrimage to Rome to study the an
clent masters Shall the State then intrust It's
cilldren-her choicest treasures to unframed and
uutred hands Shall the supreme power be call
ed in aid of every other enterprise except that
which most intimately concerns its own existence
and prosperity? Shall the wealthy open their cof-
ters to the wand OF speculation? Snail it multiply
the Injuries which enervae and degrade our ma
tnre, and yet deny to education, by which alone,
IN tins county 1t can be protected the small pit
lance which it asks? Will he who has passed his
life in the toll Of accumulation, who has enlarged
his parimony and multiplied his estates, ever re-
gre IN after life, the small amount which he sub
scrlbes for the country church or the district school
house? and when he is about to take leave of ALL
and his mind for the last time turns back over the
past would he not rather the fruits of gener-
GUS liberaily in a cultivated, virtuous and intelli
gent community, than have enjoyed the wealth o.
Cresus, or welded the power Of the CBsars.