The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-22

which forms the subject OF this report, 1t
sufficient for me here to say, that all the bel
efcial purposes and results which it coul
reasonably have been expected should be az
complished at SO early II stage OF the comma
school enterprise, as connected with our re
Gently adopted system Of supervision, 1T is be
lleved have been fully realized. A very lau
dable degree OF interest for the improvement
of their schools has been awakened among TIN
people in many parts Of the State a deepe
anxiety exists among teachers to secure
proper qualification tor their work and th'
general impulse has extended its quickcnins
influence to the schools themselves, impartins
10 their pursuits a life and animation un,
known and untelt before. And | cannot for
bear earnestly to express my deep and firm
conviction, that the highest and best interest
OF the State demands the continued mainten,
ance Of measures calculated to elevate the
character Of our common schools, in view Of
the vast influence which these institutions
must exert upon our unfolding and advanc-
ing destinies.
The reports of the Trustees and S~uperin-
tendents of the Vermont Asylum for the In
sane, which have been torwarle to me, ex-
hibit a prosperous and f~attering condition of
that institution. Its buildings recently erect
ed are now completed, so that ample accom-
modations are provided for three hundred pa
ticnts and it is giving, in the results Of its
operations, ample evidence that the benfac-
'tions of the State to ithave not been unworth-
lily bestowed.
During the year it appears that 1917 have
been admitted into the Asylum, and 100 have
been discharged. OF those discharged, "a
had recovered, and 81 were improved. There
are now in the institution 29l, of whom 123
are benelciaries, sharing in the continued
munidcence Of the State.
1t cannot but be gratifying to the friends
of humanity that the institution, free from
debt, and with accommodations so complete
as it now possesses, has entered Upon Il full
and unembarrassed career Of usefulness, and
is now, from week to week, giving back to So
ciety, to usefulness and to happiness, those
who had entered within its walls under the
darkening of mind and soul, the propensity
to mischief, and perchancc the terocity which
characterize the unhappy mania. Or where
the cloud OF darkness I.s settled permanent
~ down upon the soul of the unfortunate in
mate, 50 that in the bitterness of his mental
ruin no such favorable result, as we have sup
posed, can be realized, our humanity may
yet be conSoleI by the reflection tn I'll refuge
is alforle him the best adapted to his condi-
ton, and the best calculated to contribute to
his comfort and happiness, that benevolence
could devise or provide.
But Vermont, aside from the interests
which her domestic policy can reach and
guard. has others growing out OF her relations
t. the general government, Of high inlpor-
lance. And these interests have been deep
ly affected by the prominent measures which,
during the past year, have been consumma-
4ol - H. o,o.n, g +Lo IT.,fol SYnt,e
Among those measures, and first in the
cry has been SO distinctly recognized as one
ed as one of the objects of the nations care
BY thus prostituting the nations power, and
applying its energies to the unconstitutional
and unhallowed purpose of extending thel
its and increasing the political influence of
this Institution, the government has encroach-
upon our own just rights, as well as com
an outrage upon the moral feelings of
our citizens.
Against slavery itself, as a system wrong in
and wrong in principle, Vermont
has taken the ground of irrcconcilable hostll-
.ty; and she must and will continue to main
it. Educated under Il ate constitution
breathes the spirit Of freedom in every
inc, her people have deeply imblhed that
spirit. In defending and maintaining her po-
;ition, she would infringe on no constitution
II rights she wo Id dissuade from all lawless
Her adherence of slavery will
manifest itself neither in words of inso!ence
Tor acts of outrage. 1t is embodied in a calm
stern and settled purpose, earnestly
% advocate the cause of human rights, and
irmly and fearlessly to resist any encroach-
nent upon her own. And this it is her fix
ID determination to do by whatever meaus
she can rightfulIv and lawfully command.
1t is true that the unjust measure alluded i
% has been consunmated, and as one Of its
disastrous consequences already realized, we {
lave been involved in an unhappy war with {
/ n~eighboring Republic. Bat if the past is {
retrieve, we still have duties to per- {
orm for the future We have yet to engage t
u fresh conflicts. The measure already con- g
animated, we are reluctantly compelled to
is but one Of a series Of measures yet S
impending, designed to give to the slave sys- t
still greater influence in the general gov f
.rnment, and to secure the perpetuity Of its
Encouraged by past success, slavery
to be probe ting schemes for he OK |
Jension Of her domains over yet wider space, :
md for an increase of the already dispropor- t
amount of political power conceded to
territory which has been recently acquir- {
ed. t
I submit then the inquiry whether the oc- {
,asion does not demand some action on the
part of the Legislature, at this time, by way +
IF resisting the further progress of this dan {
.erous and growing evil, which now threat t
ems to absorb every other interest of the gov
ernment, and to bind the nations energies to
The unworthy and odious task of ministering
its own unholy purposes and demands. &
Should not the State proclaim to the coun-
try that she persists in the determination to
oppose the admission into the Union of any
whose constitution t~olerates domestic {
?" And should not a declaration 90
accompanied with the declaration that
Vermont begins to feel, in relation to this sub
.nnI tLnL q tL,n,o - "a .n.nL Ln.or,I rrl..L, e..