Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-12-10

nearly the whole of the pOpula ton o! l,Tb
being engaged in the one occupation OF
agriculture. in 1870 50 hume rous and d.
versitied had become the occupations OF our
people that less than * millions out OF
more than icrty millions were 80 engaged.
The extraordinary effect produced IN our
country hy resort to diversified occupa-
tions has built market for the products
of fertile lands distant from the seaboard
and the markets of the world.
The AMERICAN SYSTEM
of locating various and extensive manuiac
tories next To the plough and the pasture.
and OF adding connecting railroads and
steamboats, has produced in our distant
interior country a result noticeable by all
commercial nations. The ingenuity and
skill Of American mechanics have been de-
NOR siratoi at home and abroad, in man
ner most tlAttering 10 their pride But for
the extraordinary genius and ability OF our
mechanics. the achievements OF our agricul-
turlsts. manufacturers and transportors
would have been impossible OF attainment.
The pregress Of the miner has also been
great o. coal. oar production was then
small Now many millions OF tons are
mined annually. 50 with iron, which torm-
Cd scarcely an appreciate part of our
products half century ago We now pro-
ducc more than the world consumed at the
beginning of our national existence. Lead.
zinc and copper. from being articles of i'm
port. We may expect to become largely ex-
ported IN the near future. The Development
OF gold and silver mines IN the states and
territories las been remarkable and has had
Il large Influence upon the business OF all
conn, rcial nations. Our merchants 10 the
last hundred years have had q success and
have established reputation for enterprise,
sagacity. progress and integrity. unsur-
passed by the peoples OF older natIsnalities.
This good name l. not confined to their
homes. but goes out upon every sea. INTO
every port " here commerce enters. With
! equal pride We can point to our progress IN
ali OF the learned professions.
A. We are now about TO enter upon our
second centennial, commencing our man
hood a. - nation, 1t i well to look back
upon tie past aud study what will do most
to preserve aud advance our future great
ness.
OR DANGERS. AND THE REMEDIES.
From the tall o. Adam for his transgres-
sion to the present day no nation has ever
been tree from threatened danger to Its
! prosperity anu happiness. We should look
| 10 the dangers threatening us and remedy
/ taem - lar d lies la our power. We are n
republic where enc man Is u good a an
otner before the law Under such a form
of government j: j. OF the greatest impur-
tauc, that all should be possessed u! ciuca
| ton ard intelligence enough to cast
= Vote with q right understanding OF
| It's meaning \ large association of ignor-
ant men cannot for any considers be period
oppose a successful rosistan& to tyranny
| and oppression from the educated few.
! Bur ii aiIl inevitably sink into acquieseeuce
10 the Viii oi intelligence. whether directed
! by the dlnagogue OF by prlestcrait.
EotcATIoS 81 THE gAssLs
| Hence the education Of the MASSES becomes
| OF the ir>t Necessity tor the preservation Of
our institutions They are worth pre-ery-
| my. because they have secured The greatest
/ good u the greatest proportion OF the pop
ulatlou, of any form oi goNrrninent Yet de
| ylsed Al. other form, OF government ap-
/ proach IL just IN proportion 10 the general
/ diffusion of education and independence Of
thoueht and action.
FREE AND UNsEcrARIAN SCHOOLS, EY CON
sTlTuHONAL AMENDMENT
A. he primary stop therefore to all that
has marked our progress IN the past cen
fury. suggest for your earnest consIdera-
zion anu most earnestly recommend, that u
constitutional amendment be submitted to
the legislatures Of the several States for
ratification. making it the duty Of each Of
the several States 20 establish and forever
maintain Free Public Schools. adequate to
the education OF all the children IN the rudi-
mentary branches within their respective
limit, irrespective vi sex, color, birth
place. or religion. iorhidding the teaching
I al e o hat ar
pagan tenets. and prohibiting the granting
Of ally schOol-lund- OF school taxes or any
pari thereof, either 10y legislative. munici-
pal, or other authorities, or the benefit or
IN aid. directly or indirectly. Of any re
| ligiou~ sect or denomination or IN aid,
or Tor the benefit Of any other object Of any
nature or kind whatever.
TAXATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
In connection with this important ques-
ton. would also call your attention to the
! importance OF correcting an evil that If per-
mitted 10 continue will probably lead to
great trouble in our land before the close
OF the nineteenth century. Il j. the ac-
cumua;ion of vast amounts of untaxed
church property. In 1850, | believe, the
church property of the United States which
paid DO tax. municipal OF State, amounted
to abou. $50 GOO, 900 La 1850. the amount
had doubled. In 1875 it Is about 81 ,0O0.-
600 0Od- By 1900, without check. 1t Is sale
10 sag this property Sill reach sum ex-
cecdiug 50 GOO ,000, 600. So vast a sum re-
ceigIng All the protection and benefits Of
the government withou; bearing It's proper
ton at the burdens and expenses OF the same
will not hc looked upon acquiescently by
those ~hJ have u pay taxes. In grow
ing country. where real estate enhances so
rapidly with tiuo a. ia the United States,
there i scarcely i limit 10 the wealth that
may DC acquired 10y corporations, religious
or otherwise. II allowed To retain real e.
tate without taxation. The contemplation Of
30 vast property a. here alluded to with
out taxation may lead to its seques tration
without constitutional authority and
through blood. ! would suggest the taxa
ton of ali property equally wi neither church
or corporation, exempting only the last
resting place Of the dead and possibly. with
proper restrictions. church edlfces.
ora roRgIGN RELATIONS
Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on = satisfactory ant friend
IN footing. Increased intercourse, the tx
tension OF commerce aid cultivation of nu-
tual interests have steadily improved our
relations with the large majority of the
DONBEE VI lUb Htllu. plh1AiNhbiO
the peaceful solution OF questions which
from time to time necessarily arise, leaving
few which demand extended or particular
notice.
The correspondence OF the Department OF
State with our diplomatic representatives
abroad, is transmitted herewith. | am hap
by to announce the passage OF an act BY
the general Cortes Of Portugal, proclaimed
since the adjournment of Congress. for the
abolition of servtude in the Portuguese col
onies. It is to be hoped thai such legi>la-
ton may be another step toward the great
consummation to be reached when no man
shall be permitted, directly or Indirectly .un-
der any guise, excuse or form of law, 10
hold his fellow-man in bondage. | am of
opiniou. also, thai it is the duty of the
United States, as contributing toward that
end and required by the spirit OF the age, in
which we live, to provide by suitable legis-
lation, that no citizen OF the United States
shall hold slaves as property in any other
country, or be interested therein.
Chill mas made reparation IN the case OF
the whale ship :. Good Return seized with
out sufficient canse upwards of iorty years
ago. Though she had hitherto denied her &C
couutability. the denial wss never acqui-
esced in by the government and the justice
of the claim has been 20 earnestly e0atend-
ed for, that it has been gratifying that she
should have at last acknowledged it. The
arbitrator in the case Of the United States
steamer Montigo, for the seizure and
detention OF which the government oi
the United States vi Columbia
was held accountable. bes decided in favor
of the claim This decision has sealed
question which Lss been pending for several
years. and which. vh,le 1T continued open.
might more OF lesS disturb the good under
standing which il il desirable should be
maintained between the republics,
TREATY WITH Tue HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
A reciprocity treaty with the King Of
the Hawiian Islands Was conclu ded rome
months ago. As it eontsinss stipulation that
IL shall not 60 into effect until Congress
shall enact the proper legislation tor that
purpose. copies Of the instruments ere here