Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-11-27

and he ethatincreases knowledge, increases
sorrow" Your Committee find in them
selves practical illustration Of the err
ror o. this proverb as applied to the age |
in which We liye-for never were happi- |
or men than your Committee. This
proverb seems more peculiarly applica
BILE to the early history of ancient Rome,
when large proportion of the popula
ton was doomed to involuntary servi-
tude. AT that time
Ignorance was bliss
Twas folly TO be wise"
When the slave became learned, he be-
came also the more conscious of his abb
ject state and this learning served only
to increase his sorrows" and aggravate
his misfortunes by setting before him
disagreeable subject of comparison. But
your Committee contend that in this
happy country" this land ofthe brave,
and this home of the free" the cause of
Education should be promoted even by
Legislative Enactments. Our system of
Common School Education, if properly
adhered to, will confer incalculable ben
eft upon the present and future genera
tions. Ignorance, Bigotry and Super
stition will shrink before its all-conquer-
ing power. Under its happy auspices.
Bible, Missionary and Temperance Soci-
eties have arisen in the land to improve
the condition of our race.
Education serves as :" a cloud by day,
and a pillar of fire by night to guide
us to the mansions of happiness. With
out education, and what were man "a
mere walking sutomaton-" world
without SUM-" Education is to the
body polite, what vital air is to the nat
ural body. necessary to its very existence,
without which it would sieken, droop
and die" Our youth should be taught
to form correct judgment Of things,
and to know what is properly virtue.
Education brings all the latent feelings
of the human heart and all the treas
ures of the mind TO publick view. II
teaches
The path of duty plain before our eyes,"
Left as your Committee were, at q
tender age with no inheritance but that
of ignorance and indigence, they feel a
pride as well as pleasure, in saying that
whatever eminence they have attained in
the Literary or Political world, they may
place to account of their own industry
and the benefits of mere Common
School Education they have never
even thumped their heads against 8
College" In course of the past winter
: your committee have attended more
thoroughly to the Importance Of theil
i duties, and conscious of the rectitude o.
7 their intentions, they invite the strictes
scrutiny, the tests of talents and time,
and the most thorough investigation o
: their official conduct-they are again a
the service of the town of Rockingham
Your Committee would not arrogatt
to themselves any privileges which more
!, properly belong to the board of Schoo
8 Commissioners for the State, nor woult
they assume power which does not prop
erly appertain to their station. They
9 hope however to be pardoned for the ex
P preston of their opinion on the subjec
: of the books TO be used. To the first clas
q Books they make no objections but bes
O to enter their most solemn protest agains
the use of one of the most worthless o
: all things" Marshall's Spelling Book.
: The introduction Of this thing into ou
0 Schools is deemed an innovation upol
long established customs-endanger
o the permanency of our republican insti
e tutions- -transgressing the rules of de
y cency and deeorum-a kind of homicid
0 committed upon the Kings English an,
finally in the opinion % your Committe
violation ofa laws, civil, military, m OF
e al and divine. Your Committee have re
/ Gently examined all or nearly all tht
: schools in town and have been truly as
e tonished in observing the progress whiel
r had been made therein in one little year
z Your Committee are of opinion tha
n dating from the commencement of thei
, official duties, the cause of Education il
0 this town has been marching steadil,
e onward. Your Committee would fan
L forbear making invidious comparisons
e but sense of duty impels them to sa.
that the schools at Bellows Falls and il
. the middle districts in comparison will
. any schools in the county would bea
> the palm alone"
rs In closing this communication you
II Committee cannot omit to pass a merite,
eulogium upon the wisdom of that an
Is its ever to be remembered Committe
who conferred this inestimable blessin
= upon our country-their names will b
y inscribed in letters lasting as time in th
brightest annals in the temple Of Fame
e and the historic pages will transmit :
III the latest nosferity the record of fhei