Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-10-27


view, however, there rests upon us Il weinhty
obligation TO create and maintain a LEGAL scheme
for common Schools, which shall in due time
become permanent The honor Of the State
and the welfare OF its people exact it. And if
there is ever required Il stout resistance to fire.
J quent radical Innovations, it would seem to be
D emphatically demanded in behalf of every gene
val educational policy: such as one always
pleading, with cogrnt reason. for time as the
main criterion Of lis merits. II we bear in mind
tIie fact, that the character of each generation
is. substantially, formed by the one that preccdcs
il, we shall not inconsideratcly very the course
OF public action upon any of the leading mea.
, snres that bear upon that character In this
, day OF ardent rivalry pervadinr all departments
al science, art and trading economy, we NAV
not deal out scholastic knowledge to the youth
in set portions Nor will any amount of human
learning suffice for them, unless they are. also.
trained in the dsci plinary exercises that educate.
while they inform the mind in which sense.
only, is knowledge power. We shall not. |
trust, be satisfied with any advance towards the
acquisition OF a sound literature for all classes
until we shall have secured of high ground of
cNa!taiion for the intellectual character of the
mass Of the people Of this State, as they now
occupy for republican virtue. Vermont has
not many Of the recognized clements of poti-
cal power. But she has enough to satisfy the
real wants Of civilized lie-cnough for ali de.
,rab'o renown. Although she has no InXurios
of commerce to send to other climcs. She has
treasure, for rich riffs, Those she has liberal.
" bestowed without being impoverished by it.
Many OF her sons have gone forth. whose we'll
schpolrd minds, firm morals and enierprisinr
spirits enabled. them. Whcresoever they alirht-
cd, to gather and send home contributions to
the honest fame OF the common parent. We
can all Join 10 wish that the Characteristic in
Silntlons OF this state and of her New England
sisters, might dlllu>e throughout our country
the social happiness that rldiates its rontla
light for Us. How long Vermont shall hold her
place IN the union a. she now ducs-0r how
soon be- turned oil when mlahtor and prouder
sovrcigntos shall have arisen and ovcr>halowed
the broad Nes'--t is idle 10 enquire. Be that
a it MAJ. tbs State has i'm hand her own indie
pendent GUARANTEES. Whatever may be, in the
future her relations to the rest Of the world
size VIII, we trust, forever remain the came
hHr ciuz7u@ industrious and frugal, religious in
sentiment and in life. sturdy in republicani.m.
nab HdIuT in adherence to the unprc'endinr
yet conservative system Of government under
winch they have hitherto found peace and sccu-
ri'y, and ccm'u'ed in unity us free and highly
educated yeoManry.
l. it not due to the cause Of popular educa-
ton. that We consider whether instruction in
political science should not be eagraited on the
BODY OF OR schooling! Under thu constitution
/ of til, State, he who at'ainS to the prescribed
H@e is hcncriurh, theoretically, a politician:
aud whether qualified or not 10 act discroctly in
/ the new character. lie is now one Of the const-
/ luan's OF tie government and of is laws. They
That would ascertain the principal source OF the
political knowledge by which the electors are
guided, VIII ma il IN me pnn'ir luUtuai,. ,',...
plrtlyely. few study thr science Of politics To
jts widest mHge--eW, indeed, have leisure to
pursue il to is fail extent. Vet, on it every
free government leans, and from il draws lis ne
ces<ary aljment. All may understand so much
ol the science, is 10 have acquaintance with the
forms. and correct understanding OF the nature
Of different guycrHmeuts--to be coguizent of the
prinCi Dles and tie spirit OF law ~ a rule of hui
man conduct-to know the distinctions in
Ijydts--and TO have clear comprehension Of
th'ir obligations as citizens. i much more
extended nd1clriun;ion Of the young men of
orr country in political truth tLant they have vet
had is, in ny view, indicated as prccauton by
numerous signs OF the times and J am not
now aware OF any mode in which the proposed
object could 50 easily BE- accomplished as by |
making Il textbook OF the science for Common /
schools. lie who should apply the energies Of
/ disciplined mind to the preparation of such
toik, and render Unacceptable for its complete .
ness and accuracy, will have conferred upon
his countrymcn an invaluable favor.
Recent events. Of which none of Us are igno-
rant have placed in unusual prominence before .
the public eye subject which it j. impossible |
10 touch without stirring the srn~hirics Of the .
whole Union One Of the effects of the war
with Mexico, is the acquisition of ,rge portions
If her Domain which are now waiting TO be 7.
placed By the United States under territorial