The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-14

-, In our day, we have come TO speak largely
W of things, without measuring their extent
y, we talk confidently ofimmense projects with
= out considering the difficulties which lie in
y the way oftheir eXecuton--we read of Our
y Union when it contained bur thirteen Suites,
: aud was bounded on the west by the Ohio
u we have now 2S sisters in the household and
!. cast our eyes with triumphal exultaton over u
II map extending from the inland seas of the
70 north TO the peninsuas ofFlorida and Texas
;, on the Southland from the rockland coast of
" Nova Scoiato the distant Pacfc--and we
yet cOyet the sparkling mines ofSanta Fe and
= the land aud harbors of California.
;, Similar changes 10 those which have been
produced in the mechanic arts and in the eX-
tent and boundaries of our territory, have al
so taken place in orr social organization
> New theories of Government nre daily pro-
inulgaed, and new constitutions nre formed
: by Il combination of political machinery,
, which, if rapidly production he alone consid
cred, il is as perfect MS any that marks the
progress of the machanic arts.
In such an age, is there not danger that we
shall become dizzy by the rapidly ofour own
= progress, that we shall advance with too much
confidence and too little caution; that we
shall lose our respect for the past and all in
terest in the present, and reach forward with !
an ardent longing after the unknown future?
Is there not danger that our systems Of pub
lie instruction reared under the influence of |
this rapid progression may become mere hot
beds where mind is forced forward to n sick
" and premature development? lstbere not
danger that superficial requirement will usurp
the place ofsound acknowledgements facts q
rules assume the dignity of science, and that
which can he turned TO practical account TO
day, be regarded of greater value than the
! proionndest wisdom that bears later and
choicer fruits
| One of the most interesting and important
! problems of the present day, is, whether the
State, rs such, shall use its means, its inhu-
ence, and its authority, in imparting, regulat-
ing and controlling public instruction, or I
whether the training of that young mind,
which in the next generation is To- constitute
our intellectual and moral treasures, is to be
LETT 10 individual enterprise, or confided 10
accidental hands. We all know that our So
cial condition is an anomaly in the history of |
nations c
We have proclaimed the freedom of our :
race, and founded our institutions on the e.
quality of man. The few restrictions which
were at first placed on the exercise of social
privileges, are fast melting away, and the n
tine would seem not to he distant when the t
magic age oftwenty-one, and possibly, though I
not certainly, n white skin, will be the only n
requisite for ii full participation in all the rich :,
lmmunitics of citizenship. How the masses
~. F.
life, under the fostering of our free insti-
tutions, are to be governed is n question of y
awful import. That they will govern them m
selves, in all things, until the experiment of g,
perfect equality of condition, is fully made, is !,
absolutely certain. Conventions may frame ="
constitutions, and legislatures may enact e'
laws, hut all must ultimately rest OH the will al
ofthe masses. The upheavings of popular N
sentiment whenever, and wherever, it is A
deeply moved, will hear away the land marks ~
OF government and property,and even invade ~
the sacred sanctuary tliberty and life, UNI
less it can be guided by intelligence and en- CO
lghtcned by sense of moral obligation. ii
What then, in the whole circle of legisla- W
non, rs so necessary, as TO implaut in the ST
young nnnd the seeds of intelligence and vir- ,
tuc-to give such direction to the intellect
ual and moral development of the youth of J"
the state, ms shall ensure obedience 10 the VI
laws, II respect for established insttutions-a hi
for all that is great in the pasUand tv
n constant hope of pernanoncy in the future.
The State and its various institutions-civ-
II and religlous-ts laws regulating property, r
lite and personal liberty-are oil floating in ar
the great current of public opinion. If YOU w
would control and regulate the action of this tn
mighty power, you must ascend to its source,
where the hnbhling fountain first pushes from
the earth. Can the State, with safety, yea,
without turning aside from one Gifts most sH- .
cred functions commit the precious duty of "
lnsructing the young to the hazards of indi- nc
rdual effort? Shall we pass Law for the pro- nc
lection ofproperty, shall we build vessels and or
spread the sails of commerce to augment our M
national wealth, shall we construct railways :
from one end of the country to the other, and ~
yet leave the immortal mind TO grope its own
way from infancy to age? Must the teachers fo
Of our youth, those who take their station in st,
the school house, by the rode-side, and there, an
day after day, wear away their lives in sub =,
dung the refractory TO order and implantng ~
in the young mind the seeds of Intelligence ir'
and virtue, receive no aid or countenance WI
from the public authorities? an
We do not permit the sculptor to fashion sa
he human body, or the painter TO delneate h;
he face, and give expression to the human -
until he has made n pilgrimage ~
o Rome to study the ancient masters. Shall IN
he State then entrust its children-her choic- an
est treasures, to unframed aud untried hands? az
Shall the Supreme power be called to aid in w,
Every other enterprise except that which =,
most intimately concerns its own existence
md prosperity? Shall the wealthy open their vi
;otters to the wand of speculation? Shall it mi
multiply the !uxuries which enervate and de- re-
grade our nature, and yet deny to education, ca
~ which alone, in this country it can be pro- &c
ected, the small pittance which it asks? Will
re who has passed his life in the toll of accu- d,
who has enlarged his patrimony,
md multiplied his estates, ever regret in after rol
ife, the small amount which he subscribes for
or the country church or the district school, tel
house? and when he is about TO take leave ,c
# all, and his mind for the last time turns a.,
Jack overthe past, would he not rather see Wv !,
he fruits of generous liherality in cultvat- ISL
I'd, virtuous and intelligent community than