Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-01

and active stand for the preservation OF the
free institutions which have heretofore given
to America her greatest glory
MoNrrELtER, oct. %, 1861.
Mr. EDIroR Sir. i was favored this even
ing with an opportunity OF lsteningto the very
able, spirited, and comprehensive address
upon the educational interests Of Vermont,
delivered in the Representatives Hall, 10y Mr..
Adams, Secretary of the Vermont Board of
Education.
/ was highly gratifed to see present large
audience, comprising Ex-Governors, Senators,
Representative, teachers and pupils, besides
a splendid array Of the citizens of Montpelier.
The evidence Of the intense interest the truly
electrical remarks of the speaker created in
the bosoms of his hearers, was manifested In
the frequent demonstrations Of applause With
which he was greeted from every part of the
house
Mr.. Adams is a rare specimen Of independ-
ence Of thought and action. Possessing a
mind, which for intellectual capacity, will
bear no mean comparison with those which,
more pretending, have taken more lofty po-
sition in the great constellation of literature;
ever pregnant with originality; Astounding in
resources fertile in wit and sagacity; pos
erty, (which so prominently characterized
our forelathers, aud prompted them to heroic
deeds OF valor in a time which tried mems
souls, gives power and impulse TO every
sentence he utters, and deservedly makes him
a cherished and popular tavorite among the
masses. His hatred of trammcled mentality,
and total aversion to arstocracy, cultivated
in the hot-beds OF afiluence and luxury, to-
gether with his unbounded admiration of true
literary attainments, makes him a successful
advocate of educational interests, and emf
nently qualities him for the arduous and res
ponshle duties the honorable and noble po-
sition he has been called upon to occupy
To his untring efforts, we arc indebted for
the vigorous, healthy, and effective operations
Of our schools, which render the basis of free
dom and sell-government as permanent as the
foundation Of our beloved Green Mountains
What greater tribute could be paid the mem
DRY of the heroes of 70. than TO rear an altar
inscribed 90 education, within the sacred tenn
pie OF Liberty Precious boon, bequeathed
by our Fathers baptised in the golden foun-
tain OF Patriotism, and sealed with their no
bic blood; an inestmablo legacy, which we
arc now called upon TO hand safely down to
posterity. What better method could be a.
dopted to emulate the glorious deeds of Ethan
Allen, the Father Of Vermont; In fact YER
mont has got the yjgtt man %, the right place
Our schools have, under the magic touch of
his genius, grown from lethargy ana imbecil-
ity, into gigantic power. The morbid slug
gish functions Of our former system of educa-
ton, have been stimulated into healthy, Wig
orous activity.
Some Independent spirit has indeed arisen
now and then, and proclaimed the necessity
of reform in our schools. but it has been like
a solitary star in cloudy night, rendering
darkness still more visible. 1t was for Adams
to convert the dim star of our cid educational
system, into one vast, brilliant. luminary !;
the benign influence Of ~ hose etfulgent rays
now penetrates every nook, and trayerses ev-
cry dell in Vermont; imparting ght which
is now seen, acknowledged, and appreciated
by admiring thousands in our State; I'M
folding to the astonished visions of doubling
Thomases. plan of acknowledged feasibility,
which has ehectually removed the distractions
to the machinery of educational systems, rem
+ dering them so long imperative dispeing
the visionary and tanciul theories formerly
entertained by school architects, and giving
! US an equivalent for our labors in this direc-
ton, never before received. Truly desirable
and grand results
But we must not now consider the work
accomplished, and with a sense of security
? settle again into inaction. Much, very much,
t remains to be done. We are to nurture the
roots Of this great tree OF liberty, happiness,
; and prosperity, Though in genial SOIL with
jealous care, that its branches may not wither,
but constantly bear the choicest fruit of pro-
/ gressiye mentality, the just and legitimate re-
G ward and offspring Of freely bestowed and
D well directed labor. We must not pause till
the elements OF perfected educational reform
f shall flow with perfect freedom through every
avenue leading to the great channel Of public
t sentiment. We must not pause till every
hill and dale in Vermont resounds with the
glad tidings OF victory, and the silvery streams
$ of freedom which glide over her virgin bosom,
a leap for joy as they dance merrly onward to
the great ocean of liberty. We must not
: pause, till the now MANTLE enterprise shall
f have grown into mature manhood; till the
t Pillars Of Union, and Liberty. shall have been
y firmly cemented by the universal dissemina-
= ton Of means best calculated to promote
e the interests of education throughout the
$ State. My hope, sir, of the final consumation
e OF these things, rests upon the patriotic zeal,
e and unwavering frmness of Mr.. Adams. who,
= in my humble estimation, has proved himself
= adequate to the task wisely assigned him,
= and is gem of rare value in the diadem of the
o heroic philanthropsts of our own Green Noun.
= tain State. Isle la MORT.
Our FoREIGN RELATIoNs.-The Wash
$ ington correspondent Of the New York Post
remarks
Ia a 4 II