Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-06-22
FROM SENATOR EDSfUNDs.
WASHINGTON, May Is, 1866.

--f-f -N~~-fNNA fAtA 4tLLtI OF Llie lifl
inviting me to attend the dedication ex
eTclses OF the State Reform School a
Waterbury on the nth Of June.
/ greatly regret that the condition O
public business here, is likely to be such
! that cannot be present with you to ex
r press my strong interest in, and approva
OF, the institution or state has now foun
ded for the reformation OF Juvenile ofIen,
ders
As the chief end of organized society is
the promotion of good morals and hapDi.
ness among men, So 1t is manifest that
one OF the highest duties of society is 10
purify those elements Of evil and discorI
which the propenslties Of individual life
constantly throw into Il.
Men change from dly 20 dav. but the
State Is immortal. They therefore. per-
form the best service to the State. who
provide for the universal education of its
youth, and for tie redemption of those
VINO have unhappily offended against its
laws. especially those whose tender wears
allow the hope that they may still be re-
claimed 70 society. and made its friends
and supporters, rather than It's enemies
and destroyers.
In my Judgment, therefore, there Is no
neld OF usefulness and benefit 10 the State.
more hopeful Of good than the institution
I you now luaugurate. 1t belongs, emil
nenty, TO our school and social system.
Let II flourish. Let tine people bestow
| upon II freely, their thoughts. their sv1n-
/ pathy, their money. Let it 70 steadily
| forward in its sphere OF usefulness and
mercy; and. although ike most great
measures Of public veal, its benefits may
not be at once apparent, the near future
WI bear To- II hli-s most valuable and
honorable 60 orr noble State.
As, through the long ages, the light Of
christianity Aas uur- and more dJWued
upon mankind. the lil1r Of mere puui,h-
mcnt has given way, gradually bat sure
ly,t0 reiormatory measures. until now il al
civilized aud progressive countries. the
wise and humalr policy OF securing com
mGmtles against eyI hy winning the c.iln-
nal TO virtue, rather tLIn hy c0mmittiur
HIM 70 distinction, prevails.
here oi yuIe ia Pagan Rome, offend
ers without distinction Of age or sex.were
thrown % Wild beasts. iu the presence of /
Ietring mEl-tui,s, now are seen the
school, the shop, and the studio. And in
our own Nca England, where a century
ago stood the public stocks, the whipping |
plstaud the ga.i1Ws. now rise the common |
school house, the lyceuu. and the church. |
teaching their daily lessons of voluntary /
obedience 10 law. and unfolding 90 willing 1
minds the secrets Ol nature and Of sci .
euce- including lifelong lessons Of order.
OF virtue. and oi religion.
These indeed ar the real pillars oi The
State. My they ie cherished with the
whole hcIt of t.c people. until liberty
and justice, el laI-y and happiness. order
ami religion. under the law, shall be the
possession of every citizen.
am suIe the day is not far distant
When uUr ci.izeu- vii doutlv thank His
Excel. .cg tie Governor and the Legs
atUre ut l~ij, for establishing this most
Jenlticeut Institution.
] am. Gentlemen.
Cordially Yours.
GEO L. EDMUNDS.
Jessrs 4 G. pr,.r H. -.
PE,rr Corr,i--i.',,-.T. So /, -.
S.L,'j u. A.. '-''''' --' III
Il'12i l'--i.l-ri-',I--rl'E MoEEiLL.
WAsurver,N. D. G. NV 9S 1888
Is DEAE ) R.
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ication of tie V.r1.,.t p.f..-,-, -t.'.'.1 I
% the 18th r-lxin.o MS 5rIy -a...,...l S
me occasion i, one of interest ..-... 81. d
lruest sneaker y.u law. -,,.'...5 ,.,ri
lake il more 81. b,- nv, .1.,-,.. -.
asssrily forbid INV att1r.l,r.. r..-'l..
rite moro ti,a,, -, sI,'-- .I,'.4 D -.
n. v1r. yoIl ..,4 80 -.
Tbs,4 Eef-rIr 81. '-.,. ,-;ii i.z ..,.-i 90 .
e an index ~ tr.. ..... IL, v-Ii..t ,,. I;,.S :
I'D otuet mas h-.'.i ilein. lhty are the