Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-08-07
Mr.. Pomeroy'> Address.

Hi theme was &c Education in Politics n
Ter abiding in fitting terms 10 the association
connected intimately Is IL with many Of
our leading colleges he remarked that he wished
90 s.--ge4t ,ame way by which the college and
tLu people might be- more completely identified
in interest. Referring % what was ~ popularity
known AS liberal education, he spoke Of It A.
having enters, the domain Of the statesman and
the philosopher, and OF the contest which has
been waged between the supporters Vi different
educational theories {, reach foundation prin-
ciple-
liz eoutra.,t,l the two definitions Of vlucatiun,
one tue process Of developing the dormant pow
ers OF the mint; the other the pouring in pro
cess, with the true theory which lies in the
gotlsu mean. II is the combination Of these
forces which produces the correct resultant; the
system which combines the greatest amount Of
mental and moral muscularity with the greatest
amount of that knowledge which is Jrlctically
useful in the affairs of life, furnishing the stu
dent with complete power together with exhaust
less material
Reviewing the practical tcntencies =. the pre-
sent day ard the duties Of scholars in regard to
them. the speaker, with great force, drew spe-
cial attention TO the necessity Of a careful and
systematic study Of politics in is widest sense
Politics he defined to be the science Of the state
which he separated into three branches the
science OF government or constitutional law; the
science Of jurisprudence, and the science Of leg
isatioH or political economy; or, what laws can
be made, what have been made, and what
should be made Civil polty included FIRST, an
examination into the abstract principles Of all
human governments, and the limitations upon
its powers; and secondly, an eXaminatiVp i2.9
those principles and Imitation ,efnitiyely
l.F.s H.
paramount ippoy.,uOe 10 the American student,
ipasmuch as the form Of our general and state
. governments was principally fixed II is for
him to only seek its right Interpretation, and
towards this end he should contribute his whole
abilities. They stand as facts, supporting the
whole superstructure Of government, and Will
do 50 till swept away by a revolution, which VIII
carry with it every vestige Of free institutions,
His should be the highest Of earthly n'-iVe~
Weghty are the obligations y.stipg upon ctl-
zens, and especially the educated young men
fitted To cad, I0t to be driven, y systematic
tharough course of instruction iu constitutional
law sbould therefore form large part Of the
work dome in every college. The law is the best
exponent Of the civilization Of people In
movement in ii Is the surest note of improve
Inent In society'
Referring to the privileges anil duties Of the
7 rights o. NibA'h7ulpi INT speaker li-ccu 70 MS
third division Of politics, the science OF legsla-
ton, which was the Outgrowth Of the other two.
Ere long, il not already, the life of the nation
will depend on the character of the economic law
which shall be adopted; for questions of finance
and political economy must be all-ahsoIbiue
subjects for a long time to come; that We may
pay of the debt incurred in a lfe-and-death-
struggle for national existence. Notwithstand-
ing the sReers Of so-called practical men, col
eges can confer no greater boon upon the coun-
Try than by giving proportionate prominence
to the study Of political economy.
Never was such knowledge more needed than
now. In all republics it is necessary, and in our
circumstances doubly 80, lest the fatal tendency
to lower the standard, if not to break tie pub
lie faith get control. Politics is a science, and
its study a scientific study, i. should have q
place in our systems of study as well as the in.
vestigatiep VI constitutional law, Of the outline.
9f positive Jurisprudence, and Of economic legis-
iation. The study of politics will tend to i'm
prove by exercise the faculties of the mind, +
Will train and enlarge the spiritual nature. Gos
created the state as truly as the church; the or
gania,ion of the race into those political socie
ties without which it could not exist, has no
been left unregulated and ungoverned. A God
given law reigns in the history of states an,