Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-10-17

destroyed and still beset nations,
as is that commendableprudence
and forethought in individuals,
which lead them to protect them
selves from the assaults of dis
case, and their property against
the rayages of the elements.
If, therefore, we would sus-
tain and improve the already
high character of our State, pro-
mote virtue and morality, give
stability to our institutions and
protection to person and prop
erty, we must carefully watch
and literally cherish the foun-
tain of popular intelligence, the
Common School Prom this
source is derived that elementary
knowledge, the Importance Of
which cannot be fully apprecia-
ted, because it underlies and is
the basis of all other learning,
and which is sufficient to enable
the great mass of community
to fulfill their relations to the
society and the Commonwealth
to which they belong. A wise
system Of public Education, while
it firmly establishes and munif-
Gently sustaius the Common
School, fosters also the higher
institutions Of learning. the
a cademy and College. which
complete the good work begun
in the primary school, and inn
part a thorough mental training
and culture These literary in
stitutions are of vital impor-
tance to the well-being of the
state, for they contribute to the
acquisitions Of science and the
adornments Of art, they furnish
to the Common School its wisest
regulators and teachers, and, fan
beyond those who Immediately
receive and enjoy their benefits
they shed widely about them
a disciplining, salutary and ele-
waiting influence upon the whole
people.
To the pressing demands of
our schools, academies and col
leges upon your care and pro-
lection, earnestly invite your
attention.
| am unable to lay before the
Legislature the actual condition
of the schools throughout the
state, as no State Superintend-
ent of schools has been appoin-
ted and no statistical report been
made in regard to that subject,
as required by the law of lS45,
since 1851. The sentiments of
a great proportion Of the peo-
/ |ple upon this subject have been
most clearly indicated by the
numerous petitions which have
been presented to the Legisla-
ture for a series of years. 1t
is a cheering consideration that
signal Improvements in the sys-
TEN of Education have marked
the history Of the last few years
in many parts Of this country
and in Europe.
Aided by the experience of
other States and our own un-
rivalIed advantages in the indie
pendence and intelligence of our
people, and their freedom from
pauperism and foreign prejudice,
ignorance and bigotry, we ought
to present to the world a shining
example of a Commonwealth,
which rays in the minds of its
youth the deep and strong
foundations of its future pros
perty, and whose most diligent
care is freely to offer to every
one of its people the blessings
of a sound Education.
In intimate connection with
Education, as the morals of a
people depend to a great extent
upon their intelligence, stands
the subject of the prohibition
of the Traffic in Intoxicating
Drinks. | respectfully invite
your attention to this subject,
as one which concerns the most
vital interests of your constitu-
ents, and which is among the
first TO enlist the warmest SYM
pathy of the philanthropist and
), the profoundest thought of the
patriot and legislator,
The sentiments | have long
entertained and freely expressed
upon this subject are well known
to my fellow citizens My con-
fidence in the power and duty
of the Legislature to prohibit
the Traffic in intoxicating Lii
ouor as a beverage remains un-
shaken. | deem the principle
of Prohibition to be in perfect
accordance with our Constitu-
ton and in harmony with the
obligations which the govern
,,,n,,t n,rns tn fhn nennle. Few.