Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-20

4
way, and her heels toward her British
Majesty! When we have annexed all
north of us to the north pole, as we ex-
pect to do before very long, though Maine
will cease to be border State, she will
cease to be an outside State; while Ver-
mont, when that happy day arrives, ex-
poets to be about in the centre of the
Union and if this talk about removing
the Capitol is kept up, we think it highly
probable that Vermont will be found the
best place for it. We. do not expect to
become exactly seaboard State, but we
do expect to have the greatest harbor on
our shores, at least, of any New England
State. Whether the British Provinces to
the north of us shall be annexed to the
United States, or become an independent
government by themselves, or remain
colonial dependencies of the home govern
ment, as now, we expect to have ship
canal built from the ST. Lawrence river
into Lake Champlain, SO that vessels of
any class which navigate the great lakes
of the West, may come from the farthest
navigable waters of the whole chain with
unbroken cargo into Lake Champlain
Thus Lake Champlain is to become one
vast harbors, into which the mighty com
merce and products of the unbounded
West are to gather Our principle fear
has been that there were not gaps enough
in our mountain ranges through which to
build railroads from the Lake to tide
water, sufficient to carry away the thus
accumulated freight. -
Time would fail me TO enumerate all
our high hopes for the future; those /
have named are only some of the most
moderate.
Mr.. President on occasions of this kind
it is unusual to dwell upon and glorify
our peculiar New England institutions
The Common School generally, and per-
haps | may say very properly, gets the
"lion's share" OF praise. | quite agree to
iall that has ever been said, or that can be
said, IN favor of their wide beneficenee,
but [ shall say nothing myself in their
behalf. [ shall leave that to my learned
friend, Senator Patterson, who has res
ponded SO eloquently to "the granite and
the graduates of New Hampshire" and
to Others like him, who can discuss the
subject with the advantages of comparison
and contrast with the higher grade of edu-
cational institutions which mere "com-
mon school graduates" like myself, do not
possess.
But, Sir, there is New England insti-.
tuition about which | want to say word
before sit down; and that is the New
England ,IoaOn Meeting. All New
England people know what it is, but very
few of them perhaps have ever thought OF
the great influence and effect it has upon
the character of our people. A very
large share of municipal governments in
New England is carried on by the town
organizations. The support of schools,
the building and maintaining the public
roads and bridges, the support of paupers,
and many other matters are exclusively
in their jurisdiction. The imposition OF
taxes. and expenditures of all monies for
these purposes, and election of all offieers
for the performance of these duties, is by
towns. In respect to all these mattars
each town is wholly lndependenl--a little
Republic in itself The consideration OF
these questions involves matters of public
finance, and administrative policy, as i'm
portant perhaps in principle as those af-
tecting larger communities. Every town
meeting is a Congress for the considera-
ton and determination of these subjects
In this way the attention of every man il
drawn to the consideration of public af-
fairs, and to greater or less extent he
becomes familiar with the principles in
volved in the administration of the larger
departments of the government. The
difference between the two is rather one
of degree than of kind.
But what is perhaps an equally import
ant effect of this species of local govern
ment, it teaches every man that he is a
part of the government; it impresses him
with the proper idea of his responsibility
as citizen, and with a knowledge that it |
behoyes him to make himself acquainted
with the history and principles of the
government, that he may properly perform |
his duty. These town Congresses serve |
also an excellent purpose in furnishing an /
opportunity for ambitious gentlemen to |
bring themselves before the people and |
win favor. Economy and reform can be |
as properly and proftably enforced and |
and extravaganza and cor
ruption as faithfully declaimed against |
and denounced, in these lesser forums OF
the people, as upon the floor of the |
National Congress, and it is, perhaps, |
quite as often, and quite as well done.
In my opinion, the sound and self |
reliant judgment of the people of New
England in public matters, is largely due
to the experience and training given them
by these town governments.
Mr.. President, have detained you too
long, and will close by offering the fol-
lowing sentiment
New England Common Schools, and
New England Town Meetings.; nurseries
of scholars and statesmen, may they be-
come universal in our land