The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-09-25
support Free schools.D

support Free Schools"
From Col. Ho,vy's "LJa Of Gcn. ,E1jos,.'
, Iohcn went TO see Marion. Our evening:
were passed as might have been expected
between two old friends who bad spent tAeil
better days together in scenes OF honorabl,
enterprise and danger. On the night OF the
! last visit | ever made him, observing that the
clock was going for ten. asked him ilit were
not near his hour OF rest.
'Dh, no. SAID he, 1--WE must not talk Of
he'd yet. II IS but seldom, YOU know. that
we meet. And MS this may be our last, Jet
Ms take all we can Of it in chat. What do
You think of the fjwcS''
80 glorious timrs.' said /.
Yes thank Cod" replied he. "rley arc
glorious times indeed; and fully equal to all
that we had in hope when we drew our
swords for independence. But am afraid
they wont las, long"
asked him why he thought SO.
son. knowledge. sir SAID he SIS wanting.
knowledge is wanting. Israel OF old Won
know, was destroyed FAR luck az ,Jso,c'cdy~:
ana all nations, MI indiy iduais. have come to
nought from the same cause."
told him ! thought we were too happy to
change so soon.
"Pshaw.' replied he. that is nothing TO the
purpose. Happiness signifies nothing. if ii
we arc told, was once an angel OF light. bui
for want of duly considering his glorious
state, he rcbel!Cd and lostai. And how ma
ny hundreds otyouug Curoinians have we
not known whose fathers left them all the
menEs othappiness; elegant estates; haud-
some wives: and in short. every BLESSING Tim,
The most luxurious could desire: Yet they
could not rest until, hy drinking and Camh-
mug, Inc" bad fooled away their fortunes.
parted from their wives, and rendered them
selves the ycrest heggars and blackguards
on earth.
Sow. why was all this. bat for lack Of
Enoweagct For had those silly ones but
known the evils OF poverty. what a vile ding
10 Is 10 wear dirty shirt n long beard and
ragged coat: TO 20 without dinner, or 10
sponge for it among growing relations: or 10
he despatched, or run over in the streets. by
the sons of those who were once their fathers .
overseers: ! say. had those poor boobies. i'm
ne days OF their prosperity. known these
things, as they now do, would they hive
sVuanGCrcd away the precious means Of in
dependence and pleasure, and have brought
themselves to all this shame and sorrow?
No. never. never, never.
"Aud 50 il Is most exactly. with nations
II those hat are free and happv,did but know
thcr blessings. do YOU think they would ev-
er Exchange them tor slavery? IfIhe Garth
agenmns, for example, ia the day OF their
freedom and self government. when they o.
bcyed no laws but of their own making:
paid no taxes. but for their own benefit: and
free as air, pursued their own interest rs they
liked: say, if that once glorious and happv
people, had known their blessings, would
they have sacrificed them all, by their accurs-
cd factions, to the Romans. to he ruled thew
and their children, with 4 rod ot'iron, TO be
huwhencd like beasts, and crucitied like NAL
etactors? No surely they would not
"WeII,now 10 bring this home to ourselves.
" fought for seIfgovernment and God has
pleased 10 give us one, better calculated per-
naps to protect our rights, to foster orr viz
tues, 10 call forth our encrgies,aud to advance
our condition nearer to perfection and hnppi-
ness. than any government that was ever q.
framed under the sun.
But what signifies even this goycrnmcnt. !
Irvine us it -. tilt he not known and priced +
,s ii deserves"
asked him how he thought this was hest +
o be done?
why, certainly" replied he, by 4rcr +,
rhoo,s" .
shook my head.
lie observed it,and asked me what meant i
" that?
I told linn was afraid the Legislature :;
would look to their popularity, and dread 7
he expense.
lie exclaimed, God preserve our legisla- !,
ure from such penny wise q pound foolish =;
lessp What sir? keep a nation in ignorance ~
ather than vote little Of their own money !,
Or educatIon.'
! sighed and told him wished he had not h
reached the suhicct, for ithad made me YER G
snd NJ
eyes" replied he, "it is enough TO make ~
ny one sud. But it cannot be helped but nv Il
wiser course Of things; for, if people will ii
OF do what will make them happy, God will ri
lrely chastise them; and this dreadful loss n,
I public property, is one token of his dis v,
lea1ure at Our neglect ofpublic Instruction. Q,
| asked him if this were really his belief. II,
ayes. sir" replied he, with great earnest Il,
ess, 'it is my belief and | would not en-
hnnge it for worlds. 1t is my firm belief f,
nd would not exchange it for worlds II SO
my firm beIieflhat ev cry evil underline sun N