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212 their strict execution many, whose misconduct has brought misery upon themselves and their connections, might now be enjoying the fruits of good principles and virtuous habits. Our ancestors considering that "profanity had a natural tendency to weaken the solemnity and obligation of oaths, lawfully taken in the administration of justice and to promote falsehood, perjury, blasphemy and dissolutions of manners" wisely provided a law for the punishment of the offense. We have adopted their language ini a similar enactment, and who can calculate how many of the evils here enumerated may be prevented by a faithful execution of that Statute.

The law providing for the general education of youth is one of the most important in our Statute book. On its faithful execution may depend the character of our children, and the perpetuity of our institutions. In the Constitution of this State is recognized the fundamental principle of free government that "all power is inherent in the people." How important is it that those who are soon to inherit the rights and the power of the present age, should be capable of exercising them with intelligence and discretion. The provision relative to the character and qualification of Instructors is too valuable to remain inoperative. In none are fidelity, correct habits, purity of morals, and exemplary deportment more necessary than in those to whom are entrusted the intellectual and moral education of youth. Let all, whether ini or out of office, who feel interested in the good order of society and in the future as the present condition of our community, exert their influence in aid of those laws and those