Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-10-16

lead them to protect themselves trom the assauitS
of disease. and their property against the ravages
of the elements.
IT. therefore, we would sustain and improve
the already high character of our State, promote
virtue and morality. give stability 10 our insilisl-
iions and protection 10 person and property, we
must carefully watch and literally cherish the
fountain of popular intelligence, the Common
School. From this source is derived that elemen-
lary knowledge the Importance of which cannot
be fully apRtecated because il undefits and is
the basisGl.sd all other learning and which is suf-
fcielt to enable the great mass of community to
fulfill their relations to the Society and the Com
monwvalth to which they belong.
A wise system of public Education, while
i, firmly establishes and munfceully susrains
the Common School, fosters also Inc hig er in
sttutions of learning, the Academy and Go lege,
which complete the good work begun in the
primary school, am lmpart thorough men
tai training and culture. These literary institu-
lirns are of vital Importance to the we-b ing OF
the State, for they contribute to the acquisitions
of science and the adornmens If art they furnish
to the Common Schoo' its wlsesl regulators and
teachers, and far beyond those who Immediately
receive and enjoy their benefits they shed widely
about them dlscpmng. sauary and eevaling
influence upon the whole people
To The pressing demands OF our schouls, acad-
emies and colleges upon your care and protection.
earnestly invite your attention,
am unable to lay before the Legislature the
actual condition of the schools throughout The
State, as no State Superintendent of schnuls has
I been appointed and no statistical report has been
made in regard To that subject, as rtqul ed by The
law of 1915, since 1851 The sentiments of
great portion of the people upon this subject have
been most clearly indicated by the numerous Pc
,iions which have been presented to the Leglsa-
ture for a series of years 1t is cheering con-
sdera,on that signal improvements in the system
of Education have marked the history # the
last few years in many parts OF this country and
IN Europe.
Aided by the experience OF other States and
our own unrivaled advantages in the indepen-
dence and intelligence Of cur people, md theit
freedom from paupersm and foreign prejudice,
ignorance and bigolry, we oughtslo present TO the
world shining example of a Commonwealth,
which lays in the minds Of lis youth the deep
aud strong foundations of its future prosperity,
and whose most diligent care is freely 10 offer
to every one of lis people the blessings of Il
spnrd Education.
In intimate connections with Education, as the
morals of q people depend to a great axtent
upon their Intelligence, sta DIS the subject Of the
prohibition Of the Traffic 10 Intoxicating Drinks
respectfully invite your attention to this subject
as one which concerns the most vital interests
of ysur constituents, and which is among the
first to enlist the warmesl sympathy of the phi
lanthrupis and the prooundest thought of the
patriot and legis ator.
The sentiments have long entertained and
freely expressed upon this subject are well known
to my fellow citizens, My confidence in the
power and duty of the Legislature 10 prohlbir the
Traffic in intoxicating Liquor as a beverage
remains mistaken. | deem the princip of
Prohibition to he in pelecl accordance with our
Constitution and in harmony with the obligations
which the government owes to the people. Few
if any, Of the sources of evil have been SO pro-
| life OF mischief have sent fourth so vast desc
latlon, and produce such Overwhelming misery
throughout all ,he'departmenis of social and do
nestle lite, as the sale of Intoxicating Liquors.
| The people have a right to demand at the hands
of their agents protection from these evils, so
destructive of the happiness and well being Of
soieiy.
conceive that the true interests of the State,
and the hopes of the rising generation, require a
prohlb,ory law with ample powers ellectualy to
enl'rce its provisions, prescribing penalties com
mensurate with the offences il prohibits, and a.
dapted to accomplish its great design, the ex-
tinguishment Of the traffic The constitutional.
~ of several of the most important provisions of
the present law of the States upon this subject
has been settled by the Supreme Court, a trbu-
ma which has the just confidence OF our citizens
e,E I.I
you have personal Knowledge of the practical
operation of this law, and its adaptation to az
cOmplish the purposes for which it was designed
and are well fitted 10 judge of The necessity of
further legislation on this subject
Agriculture is our great leading employment
and source Of support. This department of la
bur manlfestly deserves every attention and en-
courlgement which will tend to its advancement
and prosperity. The ppication of seenco to
Agriculture has already disclosed The secrets of
the comp sition of the soil and the laws which
regulate the termination and growth of ycgela-
BILE organization. Through the investigations of
Science, also have been discovered the nature
and properties OF erllli2ing substances S, and
under their judicious applications barren wastes
have been converted INTO smiling and productive
fields. 1t is Il happy omen that Agriculture is
now attracting the attention and exciting the in.
teress of all classes OF our citizens cpncieve
it to he the duty of government 10 encourage
and increase this interest; TO give every posi-
bic facility and protection t, this pursuit; IA
furnish to the popular mind currect accounts oi
the discoveries Of science in this department
to promote agricultural education to offer hon
ors and premiums to encourage an honorable en-
ulalion and valuable discoveries and achieve.
ments in this most ancient and useful art and
thus to stimulate cultivation and improvement in
every branch of this department of iudns,urv
and induce habits of domestic economv nv cverv
practicable means.
On the success of our Manufactures denenJs
10 great extent the prosperity of our AorinnI
ture. 1t becomes US to deyelope the resonrcos
OF our own State and encourage the productive
Industry OF our own citizens. ANY inducemen,
winch the Legislature can consistently nras,,n,
that VIII lead TO increased interest and aruer ac
! compllshnent In this department. and nreven,
: the existing draft upon our resources. resnt,ino
from the extensive sale, in this State, of article,
manufactured elsewhere from raw materia, ,nker
, from Vermont, will, am confident, advance ma
terlally the prosperity of the commonwea III.
E The great interests of Agriculture and Man
D 'actures being the grand sources of our veal,t
aud Independence every encouragement, whiel
5 you can extend to them will contribn,,. ora,el,
t to the welfare of the State Asa arpe uorlio,
| OF the members of the Legislature are eno,gr,
IN these persulIs, they will undoubtedly r. cely,
from you that consideration which their maoni
tnde demands. Our railroads Constitute an I'M
r portant Item in The catalogue of our interests
r Cars, richly laden with the varied productions n
the earth or freghted with human beings, arr
c honrly rolling through the valleys and over ,h
mountains OF our Commonwealth. Vast amount
OF property and The salty Of great pumbers Of thu