10 



shall be drained and every variety of soil shall have the culture best fitted to 

 develop its capabilities — when the hill farms now deserted shall have new fires 

 re-lighted upon hearthstones around which happy families shall gather — when 

 »•-> much of rural happiness shall In- found that they shall wonder that such 

 places of beauty were ever neglected — when industry and intelligence shall be 

 so common under wise laws that every home shall have the comforts of life, 

 and none shall be found where idleness and dissipation reign because a father 

 hoarded wealth for the destruction of his children. We look forward to the 

 time, which we trust and believe is coming, though it tarry long, when those 

 who are equal before the law shall approach equality in all the conditions of a 

 happy life. If ever that time comes, it will be because the blessings of a 

 thorough education shall be not only offered to all, as they now are, but shall 

 be improved by all. It will be because all forms of vice and indulgence, that 

 tend to idleness and crime, shall be driven from society, and virtue and industry 

 installed in their places. It will be because the citizens are wise enough to co- 

 operate in business instead of working against each other, because they learn 

 how taste and culture give the best returns for all labor expended — because 

 every blessing which God has given is properly used and not abused. If we 

 can never hope to reach this, we can to-day see some approach to it in Massa- 

 chusetts, and in many other parts of our country. No other million of people 

 on the face of the globe can be found, that have better conditions for all rational 

 enjoyment than the people of Massachusetts to-clay enjoy. There is no place 

 where the same number of people represent the same number of happy homes. 

 Is there any other place where the welfare of the young, of the poor and unfor- 

 tunate, is more bountifully provided for ? Is there another place where more 

 is given for the promotion of religion and education beyond its own borders? 

 Is there a single state in our Union, to which men who w T ould found a college 

 or build a church in the West, or send a missionary to the ends of the earth, 

 turn more readily, or with more hope of liberal benefactions, than to Massachu- 

 setts ? She has a great work yet to accomplish for her people, and for the 

 world, and while we join in the annual prayer of " God save the Commonwealth 

 of Massachusetts," let us see to it, by our labors in all that shall promote the 

 physical, intellectual, and moral welfare of the whole people, that we make a 

 Commonwealth worth the saving. 



