Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-10-20


with the markets. 1t may therefore be assumed
that this department of industry has not only
maintained its relative importance, but that it
has, during the intervening years, since the
above date, experienced constant and health
ful growth and increase; still it is conceived
that it is capable of far greater development,
and much more abundant increase.
Vermont is essentially an Agricultural State.
The great body of its citizens engaged in
Agricultural pursuits. The salubrousness of
its cmate,-the richness of its SOIL and the
variety of its physical structure, adapt it to the
cultivation of the most essential and profitable
crops, and to the successful prosecution of cat
tie and sheep husbandry. Other important in
terests exit. and are successfully prosecuted
but it is to this. essentially, that we are to look
for the most marked and henthy growth of the
State in wealth and prosperity.
In the exercise OF that fostering care which
it becomes the Legislature ever to maintain
over the industrial interests of the State, | re-
spectfully invite your attention TO the question
OF providing for an Agricultural Bureau, or
Board of Agriculture, having for its object the
collection of statistical and other information
relating to Agriculture, to be embraced in an
nual reports, for distribution throughout the
State II is not desirable that such a depart
ment should be made expensive to the State.
Little need be required except to provide for
salary of its corresponding Secretary and the
publications of its reports.
Our manufacturing interests, though not ex-
tensive, are prosperous and increasing but next
in importance to our agricultural pursuits as a
source of wealth and material development, may
be reckoned our quarries of marble, slate and
soapstone. These quarrcs, inexhaustible in
quantity and unsurpassed in quality. remained
unavailable, except to a limited extent. until
developed and brought into contiguity with the
markets by our railways. They are now being
extensively worked. By responsible and enter
prising companies, which find ready and an
increasing market for their productions in vari-
Gus parts of the United States
On the subject of National Politics, the peo-
pie of Vermont have ever held a high and con-
servative position:
Venerating the Constitution as the palladium
of our civil rights, and yielding always implicit
obedience to all laws which do not controvert
its principlcs,-they will never submit to en-
croachments upon its high prerogatves nor
yield assent to those modern theories which dis
tort its meaning, and controvert the opinions
of the fathers OF the Republic-its early expoun-
ders:
Warmly attached to the Union of the States,
and pledged by every principle ofpatriotism, to
preserve inviolate the sacrod bond, they can
never be compromised with schemes for its dis
solution, but will resist the hand that dares to
Calculate its value" and will invoke, if neces-
] SarN, lne nalOnal arm lOr ltS preservation
National in their views of political economy,
and in sympathy with the free productive labor
of the country,-they advocate, as a catholic
principle. the protection of American industry,
| by reasonable determinations in the tariff of
duties on imported articles, and OF judicious ap-
! preparations for the Improvement of our har-
bors and navigable rivers
Honest in their demand for an economical
expenditure in the administration Of the Ma
- e
centralization ofpowerin the hands ofthe Nation
al Executive-they deprecate the incl eased and
constantly increasing extravaganza Of the gen.
eral government, and view with jealous concern
the evidence of executive malversation in the
disbursement of the public money:
Firm and unyieding in their views of human
freedom, they nevertheless accord to other
States the constitutional right to regulate their
own domestic institutions, and disclam any
participation with those who would iuvalidate
that right:
Believing and maintaining that slavery
exist only by virtue of law, they repudiate with
firmness the claim that property in human be-
ings must be recognized and protected, as such,
beyond the limits of the States which have le-
galized it:
Adhering to the principles established by the
enactments and resolutions of Congress, and
the decisions of the United States Courts, du-
ring more than halt century Of our early his
tory,-they protest against the authority of an
extra-judical opinion, controvertng those prin-
ciples, promulgated by a majority of the pres
ent Judges of the Supreme Court.
, 1t were but common remark TO speak of
the growing greatness of our country. 1t be-
comes us, with high recognition of an overru-
ling Providence to observe the development of
its resources, its progress and its destiny.
Its agricultural products are largely in ex-
cess of the home consumption, notwithstanding
the constant influx of foreign immigrants, and
the large proportion of its population, not pro-
ducers, who are engaged in the various depart
ments of commerce, manufactures and mechan-
ical trades:
Its mineral resources are unequalled by those
f of any other country for their richness, extent
, and variety; and its vast public domain in
yites the enterprise of the citizens of every
State, and affords home for the thousands
from other shores who are to become natural
, lied. citizens;
: Its manufacturing establishments are upon
, the most extensive scale, producing massive
and ingenious machinery, and all the useful and
t most substantial fabrics, of style and quality
not excelled:
Its naval architecture excites the admiration
/ of nautical men, of our own and other coun-
e tries and its railroads form a network in the
! older States, and are being extended in every
$ direction through the new States and Terrific
4 ries, connecting the Atlantic with the Mississip-
4 pi, and reaching onward towards the Pacific:
f Its destiny is onward. Its institutions and
| form of government are adapted to the highest
g development and prosperity. securing to all
t classes the enjoyment of the right to pursue
their various employments unmolested, and af-
e fording ample protection from foreign aggres-
n sion and domestic insubordination.
Intending to retire from Office at the close of
my present constitutional term, it is fitting that
l should avail myself of the present occasion, to
= express, through you, my thanks to the free
= men of the State, for the confidence they have
: reposed in me, in calling me from the common
walks of life, to the honorable and responsible
v office of Chief Magistrate
i Looking for Divine counsel and direction, it
/ shall be my effort to cooperate with you in
Il measures for the general welfare, during the
e term of our official relations and, until the
close of my official term, to exercise all the
4 functions of the Executive office with reference
g to the best interests and the highest improve