Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-20

Let us thank God that the day of authori-
ty is past, and that hereafter responsibility
rests upon the individual. Better to my
mind thousand fold all the errors of free
thinking, than this blind adherence to author
ity, this paralysis atrophy rather, Of the rca-
soning faculties. The government under
which we live is indeed worthy of all the
praise we are accustomed to bestow, but we
must not close our eyes to its inherent dam
gers. Our proudest boast is, or should be,
that our government is based upon the intel
ligence of the people. Here its glory lies.
Here alone its safety dwells. But for this
necessary condition prevailing, the theo.
ry upon which it is based would and must
inevitably lead to disaster. Education then,
the full and complete development Of the
individual the putting him in full posses
sion Of himself is the hope not alone of the
state, of the nation, but Of the world. Let
US not deceive ousrelves in this matter, for
our laboring classes, if intelligent, are our
true nobility, and it behooves US, then, that
they be not ignoble. For their protection,-
to secure to them the rewards Of their labor,
governments are established. In the main
tenance of pure government, in the suprem-
acy of law and order none are more interest
ed than they.
Let US then this day renew our allegiance
to the cause Of education, since upon it hangs
our hope for the future Let us strive to
bring our people up to higher level, since
upon this rests the safety of our government.
If in national affairs it is ever true that there
is giving which doth not impoverish, a
Withholding which doth not enrich, it is in
this matter of education. Many years ago
remember when boy to have happened
across medal bearing this inscriptions, and
long pondered upon the political paradox
but one cent for tribute, millions for de-
fence" A sentiment laying hold of, up
springing from, the very foundations Of pat
riotism a sentiment in another form re-
peated during our last great struggle, when,
a united people, we pledged the last man and
the last dollar. But to-day Vermont,
against her lifelong precedents in favor Of
independence, pays annual tribute to her
sister states of thousands Of dollars, which it
should be her glory and pride to retain with
in her own borders. If any one questions
the ability of our state to establish and
maintain an institution which shall give to
any of her children instruction in any de.
partment of knowledge, need but cite an
instance. In that little Swiss canton Of
Zurich, with an area Of only 6S6 square
miles, and with a population Of 100000
frugal to proverb, and like ourselves al
most exclusively agricultural, exists an in
stitutiOn the pride of Europe, with a staff ot
professors, SO in number not including assist
ants and tutors, giving instruction in l4S
distinct courses of study. As foundation
for this magnificent university, this LITTLE
canton, one-seventeenth the area, and abou
three-fourths of the population Of Vermont
contributed 10000 pounds sterling. Blu
would present another picture. In tina
E volume on technical education dedicated
by one of England's greatest engineers, Mr.
, Scott RUSSELL to the Queen, he makes tn
admission that | quote, 4" there are now bet
ter educated nations in Europe than tn
English. That is a sad truth. This vol
ume proves it shows how it has come about
shows the way to set it right" He entreat
Her Majesty "graciously to consider the cas-
of the uueducated English folks, who ar
h suffering great misfortune in their trades
commerce and manufactures as well as !
9 their social, moral and intellectual condition
!. though having been neglected and allowed
q fall behind other nations, better cared for, b
the men whose duty it was to lead as we
&? as govern the people" He speaks of Ems
II lands humiliation at the Exhibition of 1856.
when Switzerland, Prussia, France, Amerci
O rivaIled her in her own specialties, while h
r makes the mournful confession that at th
h Exhibition of 1867, England received he
| last lesson and she learned with alarm thi
Il she was not only equaled but beaten, not
h some points, but by one nation or anothe
l on nearly every point upon which she ha
N prded herself Bear in mind that this
the testimony not only Of an eminent autho
Ia ity, but one who as a member Of the jury
awards was able to fully. inform himself
II the facts May we of Vermont not draw
a lesson from this2 Have we not, and do v
y not, enjoy an intellectual pre-eminence whiC
al is in danger of departing from us2 May v
Ia not like that Swiss canton make ourselve
,d if we will, power which through ages sha
;. be felt for good throughout the country
,r But perhaps some more specific referen
\. to the Board OF Agriculture, Manuiactur
W and Mining may be desired, and yet hOl
a. there is no [one who feels that there is
Of work for it to accomplish. l shall not 9
fend your intelligence, gentlemen, by Ofe