The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-22
J.F. McC0LLAM, Printer.

1T prospective only in its operation. 1t is true
: that a provision for a new and more efectual
4 mode of recovering back u~surious interest, in
D asmuch as law was violated in taking it, could
not strictly be regarded as attaching any new
/, penalty to an offence after it had been COM
mItted. But it is ever desirable to avoid dis
) turbing past transactions entered into with
due regard to the estimate which the law,
either expressly or implicitly, has placed up
on them. And as in this case, the statute
seems almost to sanction the taking Of usuri-
Gus interest by the utter inadequacy of its pro-
visions for preventing the practice, contracts,
made under the law as it is, might be regard
ed as having received a guarantee almost G.
Equivalent to a pledge of public falth, that they
should never be called in question. Wheth-
er this view of the subject, however, be tena-
BILE or not, it is believed that a remedy locking
only to the future would be more likely to be
received with favor, because awakening no
apprehension that transactions supposed to be
completed were to be brought into controver-
sy. 1.-THE wrongs of the past are not redress
ed under this plan, it will still be no small at
tainment to guard against like wrongs for the
future.
1t is a matter Of just qualification to be able
to say that the Geological Survey Of the State
has been progressing during the past season
with a good degree of rapidly, and that it APP
pears to be accomplishing all those useful re-
suits which were anticipated from it by the
most ardent friends of the measure.
The ends proposed to be attained by this
survey may justly be regarded rs Of no insig-
~nificant importance. The great object con-
templated was TO present to the people of the
State as much practical and availabl informa-
ton as possible, in regard to our rocks, soils,
and mineral products, with q view to the i'm
mediate benefits which would flow to the
great interests Of agriculture and manufactures
more especially the former,-by way of di-
verting labor from projects and enterprises
that would end in disappointment and loss,
and directing it into proper and profitable
channels, The correction, too, of iniudicious
modes of cultivation, tending to gradual de-
terioration and ultimate exhaustion of the
soil, and the substitution for them of practice
es and methods Of management calculated
steady to ~tertillZe and improve it, while it
should, at the same time, be yielding to the
laborcr a present ~reward-was one of the
modes in which it was believed the benefits
of the survey would be realized. And these
benefits will continue to diffusc themselves,
and reach far beyond the period when the
expenditure which secured them shall cease
to be needed, because they rest upon the on
ly sure foundation of all solid and permanent
improvement-that Of increased knowledge.
They operate not merely by urging industry
to more vigorous efforts, but by guiding it
in such a direction as to make its efforts
most availing, with the least expenditure of
sweat and toll.
That agriculture is intrinsically an impor-
tant interest and worthy oflegislative encour-
agement, so far as this may be necessary to
sustain it, can scarcely be questioned. 1t is
the first step in the progress of society to civ.
ilization, and as an employment, it must lie at
the foundation of all others that go to form
the fabric of national greatness and prosperity.
\ italy important then as the employment
in question is to the welfare of humanity,
and intimately blended as its interests are
with all the great interests Of an elevated and
advanced civilization, we might hope that
under the conioined aid of theory and prac-
tice, it would in due time be enabled to par
take of the certainty of the exact sciences, as
well as be ranked among the most elevated
and honorable Of human pursuits.
And while this interest is confessedIy one
of such vast general importance it certainly
be doubted that it is essential to the
prosperity Of Vermont. And perhaps in no
State in the Union is it more prominently
important that the cultivation of the soil
should be conducted in accordance with
sound principles in agricultural science. The
prairie and other "alluvial soils which abound
in many of the states, being richly charged
with all those various mineral elements which
enter into different vegetable products, may,
if no correct principles Of science are
in their cultivation, continue to yield
abundant harvcsts for a long series of years
although doubtless liable to be ultimately ex-'
-..4-I d. 4Lo IL, &c No,,.14 nlsoQ,,
in their character, less deep and
ess Astounding in those ingredients essential
% prolonged spontaneous fertility, require
correct practical PRINCIPLES be brought 10
Dear upon their cultivation if we would secure
heir increased productiveness, or even save
hem from deterioration. What nature
las not done for our state, science can d.
let its light then be diffused, and guidance
&c followed, and, under an adequate system Of
to this interest in connection with
theirs, Vermont has nohing TO fear for ner
ontinued and increasing prosperity. Fer
alleys and plains will teen with unsurpassed
artility, and sheep and cattle Craze, in count
,ss thousands, on her hillsides, while the
usy hum of prosperous industry .hall be
card from all her thri, ing villages. And f
ne survey whose bearings and influence have,
l view Of their Importance, been thus cor
dered at length, shall aid, as it is confident
believed it will, in securing such results, no
tizen can feel that it has been undertaken
nd prosecuted in vain.
The contributions made hy ths survey TO
he now rapidly unfolding science Of geology,
I'd the aid afforded by it in solving problems
deep interest to the scientific world, al
ranking as secondary considerations,
C yet in no danger Of being overrated in
IT estimate Of their importance.
| am not apprized that any further appro-
ration will be required in order 10 complete
tisfactorly the feld-labor Of the survey, un-
IS, perchance, on makingup the final report,
should be found that some facts were want