Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-24


least two more regiments for the United States
service.
The militia laws of the State are not such as
the times demand. They are diflusc, of doubt
full construction, and quite too unwieldly and in
efficient. Recent events clearly demonstrate
that no commu ty, however free, can Afford to
repose in so defenceess a condition as the peo-
pie of Vermont have been content with OF late
years. There is abundant talent in the Legis-
ature to investigate and compare the best
known systems, and to perfect compact, per.
spicuous and effective law, out OF which shall
grow military organization that will be an
honor and defence TO our State.
In August last, Congress passed an act i'm
posing direct tax of 100000 900 annually up
on the United States to be levied upon incomes
and real estate, setting to the State of Vermont
the sum Of 22l OGS,00 as its quota thereof
The act provides for the assessment and col
lection of the tax by United States officers.
But it also authorizes any State, through its
own officers and in its own way, to assess, col
lcct and pay its quota of the tax into the Treas
ury Of the United States; and any State which
shall, on or before the second Tuesday in Feb
ruary next, and at the same time in each sub
sequent year. give proper official notice to the
Secretary of the Treasury of its intention to as
sumo. collect and pay its quota of said tax, shall
be allowed ID per cent deduction thereon, con-
hhliohch Llul ShCl payment nhIl w hi'HC WI
or before the last day of June in the year to
which such payment relates. | would suggest,
gentlemen, that you adopt the requisite mcasu-
res te collect and pay the States quota of said
tax, thereby saving the ID per cent, proposed
in that case to be deducted by the National
Government.
A new census of the United States having
been recently taken, articles four and twenty
three of amendment Of our State constitution
ropuira tbo I to n,ol-n
tonment of the Senators TO the several cour-
ties, and they also prescribe certain rules re-
garding such apportionment.
| congratulate you, gentlemen, upon the
completion Of the statue of Ethan Allen, by our
promising young artist. Mead, and upon its safe
erection in a fitting place. The superior quail
ty of the material of which the statue is made
illustrates the riches of Vermont in her statuo-
ry marble. 1t is a rare honor to the State to
have furnished from among her sons the gem.
us and talent that conceived and elaborated this
finished work of art. We can hardly look at
, the noble statue without feeling our patriotism
> kindled anewj and observing the striking and
f expressive face, the majestic port and uplifted
hand of the old hero, imagination pictures him
commanding the present enemies of his country
to cease their attempt to overthrow its Govern
ment, and bidding It's benign institutions TO de-
sccnd perpctuay to posterty.
The Reports of the Trustees and Superin-
tendent OF the Asylum for the Insane indicate
that this institution is in its usually fourishng
condition. During he past summer the wings
OF the Asylum have been raised another story,
by which a large number of cheerful and com
modous rooms have been supplied, for the bet
ter classification and accommodation of the pa
ti,nts. The transformations and untirng devo-
ton of the superintendent to the interests of the
Asylum and the comfort and welfare of its in
. | O1ntpe afford ms cnpnplntn illustration IF no
tive practical benevoence, and sympathy for
! most unfortunate portion of society, and as it
, has ever been my fortune to observe.
The Report Of the Bank Commissioner gives
assurance that the Banks Of the State safe
ly managed. After speaking OF the udicicus
operations of these institutions, in adapting
their business to the present times, the commits
, sioner remarks "a currency that can with
stand such financial revulson as that which
we have witnessed during the past year, is GER
tainly entitled to great public confidence"
, The Report of the Directors Of the State
, Prison informs us of the excellent management
of the Superintendent of the institution. 1t APP
pears from the Report of the Superintendent
that agreeably to an act of the Legislature, APP
: proved Oct. 80, 1861, appropriating S25o0,00
for the rebuilding of the east shop of the insti-
tuition, substantial brick building, one hun
dred by thirty four feet, two stories, with slate
4 'Oplj hiS otSlI clcStSN, Ut u CONl VI
Our free institutions are based upon the vir-
tue and intelligence Of the people. They can
not stand upon any other foundation Hence
the education of our youth is entitled to rank
n among the first objects of legislative attention.
The plan of placing our educational system I'M
/ der the special agency Of Board Of Education,
appears to be wise, and the operations of the
system thus organized seem to have been suffi-
GENTLY successful to warrant an undisturbed
continuance Tho znol md ol,;1it,, 3 oh
the Secretary of the Board has discharged his
Q laborious duties, are honorable to him, and
worthy OF our respect and appreciation.
. In ordinary times | should, in suah a COM
. munication as this, discuss somewhat at length
the promotion of Agriculture-the command
. ing interest Of Vermont and the favorite pur-
suit of my life. But the peculiar state of pub
lie affairs now induces me to forbear entering
upon the subject. The same reason causes the
omission of several other topics of general in
terest.
The freemen of Vermont quite generally unit
ed recently in political action expressive OF their
conviction that party predictions must, in this
hour of peril, be offered a sacrifice upon the al
ter OF our country's cause. We may hail their
of action as the harbinger of that practical union
, patriotic men throughout the loyal states, which
will ensure the ultimate triumph of our Gov
. eminent in this war.
= idiIiliS VI ull honest, nearly, uultcu pOltlcal
= action the people of the free states would fall
, ignobly below the grandeur of the issues now
: upon them, and prove themselves unequal to
\ the defence and preservation of free institutions.
Succeeding in such action, they guarantee the
success Of our country's cause; and we of this
n generation shall have the honor of proving mans
! capacity for self-government. We shall prove
that free institutions, so far from being a fail
, ure, possess that inherent moral power, and
can at all times command that physical and
material force, requisite for their stability and
2 perpetuity.
! The causes Of the war now upon us are so
! well understood by the people of our State,
that it would he superiuous here to rehearse
!, them. They also comprehend the magnitude
+ of the issues involved in the war They see in
in the struggle contest for national existence
for that constitutional liberty and its attend
. ant blessings bequca,hcd to US by the fathers,
\ and which we are bound by every principle to
. transmit unimpaired, to those who come after
us. They are willing to expend their blood
Z, and treasure, if need be, to the fullest extent
a of their means, to aid the National Government
in crushing this causeless rebellion.
n If this war, brought on by those who are
y striving to introduce in this fair land the reign