Litchfield enquirer., 1848-05-11

u IS essential that public opinion SHOULD
be enlightened, is now no less true than
when 1t fell from the lips Of the father Of
his country.
This cause early commended itself to
the fathers of New England, and ives by
them deeply cherished. They introdu-
ced the system offree schools. and open
ed the fountains of knowledge to all
And in every hamlet the school house
was erected simultaneously with the dwell
ling. and the house of worship. The
benefits Of this system We are now en-
joying, and the evidence of its ,riSdom
are every where around us. They are
to be found in the general intelligence,
and correct moral principles of our pop
ulation. In chez f | obedience to the
a, in that 81 init of enterprise VII oh
has almost brought together the extremi-
ties of this mighty empire, and which
transmits the intelligence with the speed
of light. And there is not spot in the
union. where the sons of New England
have fixed their abode, where they have
not carried along with them. and in :
pressed upon society the influence OF
these early institutions.
It is for us to determine whether they
shall be sustained and improved. and
made to answer the purposes of their orr
ginal creation. 1t is a solemn trust com.
mitted to our care and its obligations
in no way be discharged. but by elc-
waiting the standard of popular education,
and giving character and efficiency to
our Common Schools. And why should
not this be done? Representing as we
do an enlightened constituency,capable Of
approaching the Importance of the mea-
sure in the enjoyment of fund annu-
ally discussing over the State more than
$i250O0 for the purposes of POI .ular ed
ucation, will it not be reproachful for us,
if our primary schools, the only sources
of instruction to the great body Of the
people, shall be suffered to languish and
decline. or even to remain stationary
Other things may be neglected, and the
mischieis Of such neglect be only slight
and temporary, or they may be speedily
repaired. Such is not the case here
The consequences of neglect are deep and
abiding, and extend their unhappy inhu-
ence to succeeding generations. There
is no reason why an education may not
he acquired in our Common Schools,
which shall qualify young man to enter
upon any of the walks of life, and to dis
charge its appropriate duties, whether
professional or otherwise, with reputation
to himself and benefit to the community.
submit this matter to the considera-
ton of the General Assembly. with the
assurance that will most cheerfully CO.
operate with you in any measures pro-
motive of the object in view, which YOU
in your wisdom, may deem expedient.
Intimately connected with this subject
is that ofthe School Fund-a just source
Of pride to the State, and an imperisha-
ble monument of the wisdom and patri-
otism Of It's founders.
From the report Of tie Commission
er, which will be submitted to you. it
appears that the fund amounts to $2.077,-
GAL 10. That during the past year. il
has divided among the districts in tie
State. $l26.l26 so.
That the number of children, between
the ages of four and sixteen, is S75l2-
the dividend being 81 20 on each child
enumerated. 1t also appears that 1925.
100 45 of the principal Of the Fund ha
been paid into the Treasury during thu
past year, and which has been re-inyest
ed.
From the long experience and vel
known ability Of the Commissioner, it is
fair to presume that the Fund is well
and securely invested, and judiciousIy
managed. But in a matter involving
such momentous interests, nothing should
be left to presumption. The LegisIa-
ture should, by rigid scrutiny. hnoW the
exact condition of the Fund. You will
also determine whether any further legis-
lation on the subject is either necessary
/ or eApedient.
The number of pupils supported by
the State the past year at the American
Asylum for the deaf and dumb is 2S
and | am gratitied in being able to inform
you, that their health has been good and
that they have, in general, made satisfac-
tory progress in their studies. Of the
number Of State benefciaries, five are
discharged, having completed the usual
course Of study, and qualified, | trust, to
be a source of comfort to their friends,
and useful in society. | have selected
five others to fiji these vacancies, being
assured that the State will withdraw none
of its patronage from an institution
which is carrying out the benevolent de-
signs of its founders, in imparting the
rudiments of education. and instructing
in the mechanic arts this unfortunate class
Of orr Fellow men. who. in the provi-
dence of God, are deprived Of the ordi-
nary sources Of instruction.
There have been supported at the Re-
treat for the Insane, in part, at the ex-
pense Of the State. about sixty patients.
The whole number of admissions If