The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-09

ties that will naturally occur TO the minds OF
all Still. are nor the benefits to be derived
from a combinati of these several institutions,
and the establishment OF one, on the basis which
| have suggested, sufficient to override all these
affections and difficulties. viii not he new
impulse to be given to the cause OF education
and the facilities to be afforded to heindustrial
classes in the State, through the agency of a
we'll organized institution OF this kind, be sui
fcient Indictment to overcome local prejudices
and feeli gs and other minor difficulties that
may stand in the way.
There is another feature connected with this
subject, which may not be unworthy OF con-
slderatiOD.
By the act of last fall, the Treasurer is au-
thorized to invest the procseds of the sales of
the land scrip in some safe stocks, yielding not
less than five per cent. per annum - and the
act of Congress authorizes the investment IN
United States stocks, or in State stocks. The
amount to be realized from the sales of this
scrip, as has already been stated, will vary &C
cording to circumstances, but it is not unreas
enable to hope that it may reach the highest
figures named.
The present funde debt of the State, as now
authorized, bearing six per cent per annum, Is
one million six hundred and fifty thousand dbl
lars.
May not a portion Of this debt be permanent
ly merged in this land-scrip fund and thus the
State be benefited TO that extent, in perma-
nent investment, the interest of which shall be
paid to her own institution, and for the benefit
of a cause SO commendable as that OF the edu-
cational growth and prosperity of her own cit
liens.
Whether any action is required at the pres
ent session of the Legislature in reference to
this subject, is left entirely for you to determine.
The suggestions which have occurred to me |
have given, merely Tor your consideration, and
not as seeking to dlrec your action. Ii the at
tempt to unite the several Institutions should
be deemed advisable. and il should be found
practicable to do so, some legislation will doubt
less be required, IS the charters creating them
do not think, contemplate any such union.
Whether 1t may be advisable or not to pass
enabling act, at tle present session, to provide
for such an event, if the public and the patrons
and friends of the institutions should desire it,
or whether it may not be sufficient to refer the
whole subject to Board of Commissioners, to
inquire into and report at a future time, are
questions Tor you to determine. 1t will give
me great pleasure to conform to, and to aid
any course of action which the Legislature may
be pleased to adopt 10 the premises.
TER SOLDIERS AND THE STATE.
would earnestly recommend the passage of
a law securing to the soldiers who are now al
ready or who may hereafter be called into the
service of the United States, from this State
the right to exercise their elective franchise, as
guaranteed and secured to the treemen of this
State by its Constitution and would respect
fully urge this measure upon your consideration,
as an act of justice to the brave sons and free
men OF Vermont, who are so nobly doing battle
in the cause of the country, and as a fitting
testimonial of the appreciation in which those
services are held by the people of the State.
Moved by an earnest patriotism, and in the
holy ardor of an undying love for the great
blessings of civil liberty restrained by no mean
circumstance of personal cost or sacrifice, and
with devoted loyalty to that Government
which has been their shield and protection, they
have gone forth from among us, noble brother
hood, to imperil lfe and all that life holds dear
to battle, not for glory or renown, but to main
tain for and perpetuate to us, in common with
all the country, the great and glorious princi-
Piles of Constitutional Liberty, the heritage of a
free people.
Enduring all the hardships aud privations OF
the camp, denying themselves the comforts, the
luxuries, and privileges of home communons,
which we are permitted to enjoy, far away from
US, onla strange and hostile soil, worn and wasted
by many sufferings, yet nobly bearing up under
them all with patience and fortitude worthy
of the cause for which they suffer, knowing but
one duty, service to their country, they appeal
in language too strong to be resisted for that
privilege which all freemen so highly prize
which, whether at home or on the field, is ever
dear to their hearts, the right to exercise the
elective franchise, that distinguishing mark of
freedom and freemen. 1t surely needs no words
of mine to urge this upon your consideration
and while am deeply sensible of the difficulties
that surround the question, and of the opportu-
nifty which would be afforded for abuse of the
privilege, yet, am full confident that it is in the
power of the Legislature to frame law which
while it will secure the State to all reasonable
extent against frauds and abuse will also secure
to the citizen soldiers privilege which it is un
generous to deny, and which can, in all sound
ness of convincing argument be urged anC
claimed as right They are rendering high
service to the country, in the stupendous con.
6ict which is now stirring the nation to it
foundations, by their presence on the field, anC
shall they be denied voice at the ballot box
where prominently the measures which are to
affect, TOR veal or woe, these great and pending
issues, must of necessity be decided
None, more than they, have vital interest il
these great questions, none have higher appre
citation of the merits involved. Ours are no hire
ling soldiery, who blindly execute the will o
superors without knowing for what they fight
They ave gone from among the sovereign PEG