Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-05


The Extra Session.
By circular which will be found in
another column, it will be seen that the re.
cent meeting OF our state Centennial Com.
missioners, at Rutland resulted ia sending
a circular TO the members and officers of our
legislature, asking them to give giatuitously
the time requisite for an extra session, with
the assurance that Governor Smith aud
other railroad officials had offered, provided
this request was complied with. to furnish
free transportation. Doubtless it was only
on the conditions named in the circular that
Governor Peck felt justified la converting
the Legislature.
II seems a great misfortune that our legis-
laturc, at its last session, failed TO make
provision for a suitable aud proper represon-
tation Of our gallant state and people at the
coming anniversary of the nations birth /;
but the time seemed go remote the Ceuten-
NAL spirit was then so dormant aud our
people are So habitually given TO providing
for the things of today and letting to-
morrow take care Of itself-that we very
much doubt whether any action, which
could have been had two years previously,
would in the end prove more satisfactory
than none at ALL However this may be- in
the absence of all action, the question pre-
sents itself, whether the Governor is justified
ia converting the legislature in special ses-
SION 10 do something ia atonement for the
now generally admitted neglect of duty at the
last regular session -or whether the whole
subject shall be left. whore the propcrly-con-
stimted authorities dill leave it. to the gen
crosby aud patriotic pride Of individuals
and voluntary associations
We are among those who believe in the
Centennial-and when the American nation
comes up TO this grand comparison OF notes
with the Old World, we don't want her
Switzerland" left out We have been troub-
led in spirit az the thought that Vermont. as
a state, might have mo- part in this brilliant
undertaking. whose magnificent success is
now so well assured Her colonial history
is written all over with the most ilustrious
examples Of heroism and brilliant achieve.
ments in the cause of human liberty, and the
record of our late struggle for the preserya-
tiou OF our free institutions conclnsively
proves the present generation TO be worthy
of their illustrious sircs Our state is not
only rich in men and women the most Intel
ligent and independent, "a "A whole. upon
the face of the earth-but she is also eNcep-
tionally rich in resources and products She
owes 10 to hersclf-to her people-to her past
and future, to exhibit To the world what She
has within her borders; her wealth Of raw
material; her minerals and ores; her various
timbers; her water-power, her free schools
her Independent churches her equal laws ;
her proud history. Thus believing. we think
the Governor would have been abundantly
justified by an intelligent and mature pub
lie judgment in calling the legislature To-.
gether in the usual manner. to take suitable
action upon this whole subject. There
woull seem to be no other manner in
which such action could be hal a. would
oomport with the Importance Of the sub.
jet and the dignity of the state. But.
with the views of duty supposed to be
entertained by the Governor. special ses.
sion, called in this manner, seems to be out
OF the question and so the whole matter is
narrowed down to the proposition contained
in the circular This, we confess. is better
than nothing though it cannot be denied