Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-06-21

| Aoiuu ene oesb serNlCe 10 The state, who
provide for the universal education of
It's youth, and for the redemption of
those who have unhappily offended
| against its laws, especially those whose
tender years allow the hope, that they
may still be reclaimed to society, and
made its friends and supporters, rather
than its enemies and destroyers.
In my Judgment, therefore, there is no
| field OF usefulness and benefit to the
State, more hopeful of good than the
institution you now inaugurate. 1t be-
| longs eminently to our school and social
system. Let it flourish. Let the people
oestow upon 1t freely their thoughts,
their sympathy, their money. Let it 90
steadily forward in its sphere of useful
ness and mercy; and, although, like
most great measures of public veal, its
benefits may not be at once apparent,
the near future will bear to it fruits
most valuable and honorable to our no.
BILE State.
AS through the long ages, the light
OF christianity has more and more
oaWned upon mankind, the rigor of mere
punishment has given way, gradually
Dut surely, to reformatory measures, un-
I'll now in all civilized and progressive
countries, the wise and humane policy
OF securing communities against evil by
winning the criminal to virtue, rather
than by committing him to destruction,
prevails.
Where of yore in Pagan Rome Offend
ers without distinction of age or sex
were thrown to wild beasts, in the pres
ence of jeering multitudes, now are seen
the school, the shop, the studio. And
in our own New England, where a CEN
tury ago stood the public stocks, the
whipping post, and the gallows, now
rise the common school house, the lyce-
um and the church, teaching their daily
lessons OF voluntary obedience to the
law, and unfolding to willing minds the
secrets of nature and of science, includ-
ing lifelong lessons of order, of virtue,
and of religion.
These indeed are the real pillars of the
State. May they be cherished with the
whole heart of the people, until liberty
and justice, equality and happiness, Or
der and religion, under the law, shall be
the possession of every citizen.
am sure the day is not far distant
when our citizens will doubly thank his
excellency the Governor and the legis-
lature of 1865, for establishing this most
benefcent institution.
am, Gentlemen,
Cordially yours,
GEO. F. EDMUYDs;
Messrs. A. G. Pease, L. A. Dunn, Lewis
Pratt, Commissioners State Reform
School, Waterbury, Vt.
FROM REPRESENTATIVE MORRILL,.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. May %, 1866.
My DEAR SIR
Your invitation to be present at the
dedication Of the Vermont Reform
School on the 18th proximo was duly
received. The occasion is one of inter
est, and the earnest speaker you have
engaged will make it more so; but nv
duties here necessarily forbid my at
tendance, nor can l write more than to
show that | appreciate the work you are
about to inaugurate.
These Reform Schools will be found
to be an index to the age in which we
live. No other has known them. They
are the growth Of modern philanthropy,
which proves its unselfihness by setting
men at work for their fellow-men and
for the future.
The very worst thing, am convinced.
that can be done for poor boy, led as
tray, perhaps, for the first time. and
never taught the more excellent way, is
to send him to States prison. When he
comes out his degradation is complete,
and in anger with all mankind, he stud
les iniquity and revenge for the remain
der Of useless life.
Possibly Vermont has less need of a |
Reform School than most other commu-
mites; nevertheless, she should have |
one, not only for the reclamation of any
OF her sons who may unfortunately be |
tempted to wrong doing, but that those
who maintain the highest purity of |
character, for which our State is so hon
orably distinguished, may not have rea-
son to blush for any who bear the name
Of Vermonters.
With much regard, L am, very truly
yours,
JUSTIN S. MORRILL,.
REV. A. G. PEAsB,
Waterbury, vt.
Among the ceremonies attending the
dedication of the Reform School, was
the singing of the following beautiful
hymn, written by Mrs. Dorr Of Rutland
for the occasion:
HYMN.
By MRS JULIA c. r. DoRR.
Floating through the misty twilight
OF the haf-forgotten years,
Harkl a solemn voice and tender
Falls to-day upon our ears.
Thine, o Christ and as we listen.
Lol thy loving face we see,
And thy lips are still repeating,
Feed my lambs, if ye love me !"
Feed my lambs - Our Lord and Master