The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-10-27
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF TIE SENATE
AND House OF REPRESENTATIVES,

AND House OF REPRESENTATIVE !:
An over-ruling Providence has pre-
served to the people of this state the
enjoyment of their civil rights and
their cheering institutions, and the
revolution of another political year
has again convoked their chosen rep
rcscntativcs, invested with the func-
tons of government, and charged with
the responsible duties of legislation
The power Of self-goyernment, in
herent in the people, they have dele
gated temporarily to US, their chosen
servants, to be exercised by us in ac
cordance with the provisions of the
constitution, for the promotion OF the
general good, and the security Of the
rights of all In the performance OF
these functions, it will become oua OBJ
vious duty to have special reference
as well to the moral and intellectual
Improvement of the community, as to
the security and advancement of the,r
secular interests since the latter, to
a degree which cannot be to highly
appreciated, are intimately identified
with and dependent upon the former.
The blessings of Providence have
been literally bestowed upon the reo-
pie of this commonwealth. The al
most universal prevalence of health
the abundant harvest which has crown
cd the labors of the husbandrnan-the
success which has attended the enter.
prise of those engaged in other pur-
sults-the competency extensively en-
joyed by all classes Of the people-the
equality of station and condition-thc
comparatively high state of morals
generally prevailing, and the extend
ed means Of religious and intellectual
instruction, call for devout gratitude
to the Great DiSposer of events, who
has bestowed these fayors in such rich
profusion.
Nor are our national blessings less
signal. We arc at peace with all the
world-our domain extends from the
Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, and in
latitude embraces every desirable eli.
mate, rich in agricultural and mineral
resources and capabilities-our can
vass whitens every ocean and sea-
our lakes and rivers for many thou
sands of miles are traversed by steam.
ers freighted with the products Of the
soil and the productions of our arti-
sans, while in every direction through
the length and bredth Of the land, is
seen the railroad car, facilitating the
intercourse between far distant states,
and promoting the wealth and cement
ing the fraternity Of the who'll.
Nor should it be forgotten that
while the iron yoke of despotiSm is fast
rivitcd upon the necks of those ma
tons OF the old world, upon which the
light Of liberty seemed but recently to
dawn, and for whom, in their noble
struggles for freedom, our warmest
sympathies were awak ,ncd-oar be-
loved country affords an asylum for the
oppressed Of every nation, and seems
designed by Providence for the full
development Of the adaptation OF a
republican government and free rcli-
gious liberation, to meet the wants and
protect the rights Of man in whatever
class or condition of life.
Your duties as legislators are less
complex and varied than those impos-
ed upon the Legislative assemblies OF
most Of our sister states, from the fact
that the pursuits of our citizens are
mainly agricultural. We have no ex-
tensive foreign commerce, no mari
time coasts, and but a limited capital
employed in manufacturing.
Our system of jurisprudence, per-
fected by the wisdom of former lesIs-
latures, requires no material modihca-
ton. Indeed it is qucstionabiy wueth-
err any change in the features OF our
existing statute laws, unless CLEARLY
demanded by the expressed sentiments
of the people, might not prove injuri-
Gus in its practical results, ana lay the
foundation for increased litigation.
A review of the past history of legs
lation in the state will probably devel-
op the fact that in many instances al.
terations and amendments of existing
statutes have had their origin in local
interests. In other words, local queS
tons and disputes have rendered it de-
sirable in the view of interested par
ties that the statute should be amend
ed in its provisions applicable to such
cases, and at the next session Of the
legislature, such amendments have
been Incorporated into the existing
laws, often. without due consideration |;
and hence the numerous mutations
which have so frequently created a
necessity for new digest of the stat
ute laws.
In a community Of intelligent free
men, too much Importance cannot be
attached to the general diffusion of a
knowledge of the laws of the state.
The statute should be in every school
district, and as far as may be, in ey.
cry family. The legislature, in the
act of November, 1850, providing for
new compilation of the laws of the
state, evidently had reference to a di-
gest which should be adapted to the
capacity and the means of the great
est number, and be extensively dis
tributed among the people. The pub
lisner. enconraged by the officer