Star.
London, England, 1823-07-30 00:00:00

dition. There never has been but one rational mode
of ameliorating the condition of any people, namely,
by the adoption of measures .which produce an im•
provement in the character of the individuals, and by
which they can, in the best manner, create wealth
'and enjoy it ; and the Government most to be desired
is, that xhich practically seeks to accomplish these
objects. Mr. Secretary Goulburn, in consequence of
his own .valuable experience, will. per haps, now admit
that these objects are not very likely to be attained,
either by emigration or coercion, or by making
speeches in Parliament which do net convey any ideas
of practical utility.
"Ireland is now in a condition so miserable, that it
would be essentially benefited, in many of its districts,
by the introduction, in its lowest state, of the s)s-
tern of natural productive employment. I have
already stated, that, by this system, I mean arrange-
silents which will admit of an individqal, either male
or female, being employed, whenever by their in-
dustry they can produce more in the year than they
consume. If, indeed, these individuals are to be sup-
ported in any kind of existence, it is obvious to prac•
tical men that they had far better be employed than
remain idle, although their- labour did not return a
half, a fourth, or an eighth of their consumption.
Of this truth, obvious to all intelligent practical men,
statesmen and men of theory seem to have little or
no knowledge. For, had they possessed any, they
would have adopted measures long ago to employ the
peasantry of Ireland, rather than allowed so many of
them in each generation to remain in idleness, to be
taught habits the most injurious to themselves and
others, and to be forced to acquire feelings of dis-
content with their wretched condition. I wish now to
direct the attention of the Public to a very different
system from that which has been hitherto pursued ; to
one, which shall provide productive employment for
all the wor king classes. The modern political eco,
nomists, or men of mere theory, will sty, no; for it
is contrary to their notions of the vastly profound
science of political economy, that the wot king classes
should have employment found for them. No ; these
Gentlemen of mere words without ideas, say, men,
if left to themselves, will do the best for themselves.'

I challenge them to bring forward one fact in the
history of our species, which gives the shadow of
support to this theory. As well may they say, 4do
not educate human beings, for, if left to themselves,
they will acquire the most correct principles, and
adopt the best and most useful practice.''These
Gentlemen, .whose natural powers of mind are much
above mediocrity, whose intentions are good, and for
many of whom I feel sentiments of great regard and
friendship, hive been deceived by the past; they
have known the world governed only under false and
mistaken notions, and have perceived that, in pro.
portion as those notions have been forced into prat,
tice, poverty, vice, misery, and consequent die-
content, -have been found to prevail ; and nowhere
has their influence been more evident than in the
past system of governing Ireland. k is very true
that it is better to govern as little as possible, than to
be active in governing on erroneous principles ; so far
I cordially agree with the modern political economists.
There is, however, a wide difference between govern.
ing on erroneous principles, or remaining inactive,
and governing on principles which experience has
proved to be true, consistent, and beneficial. The
Governmeuts of the would have hitherto, from error,
pursued the first of these modes. In consequence of
the uniform want of success which has attended all
legislative measures, modern political economists now
recommend the second, or •the abstaining froth; all
attempts, on the part of society collectively, to direct
the proceedings of mankind ; in other words, they
seem to have a notion of some mysterious principle
of self-adjustment in the affairs of life, Which, if not
interfered with, would infallibly bring all things to
their proper level in society. Knowing, however,
the mischievous effects on the general economy of
life, which erroneous legislation, or the absence of all
direction, must necessarily produce, I recommend the
third mode of proceeding, as being the best calcu.
lated to form, conduct, and preserve, a healthy,
active, intelligent, wealthy, moral, and happy society,
—lt is certainly more consonant to a mind unvi.
tiated with• pi ejudices and theories to conclude, that
as human nature has ever been essentially governed
by external circumstances, practical measures should
be now adopted, to improve these circumstances to
the uttermost ; that it is the duty of all Governments
to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the
effects which the various circumstances now existing
in their dominions produce upon the character and
condition of the subjects • and that it is their peculiar
business to remove, in the shortest possible time, all
those the direct tendency of which is, to generate
disease, poverty, intemperance, crime, and misery,
and to replace them by othes„circumstances, whose
tendency is to produce health,.intelligence, Orme,
plenty, and happiness, These are the grounds upon
which I recommend an active legislation on the part
of all Governments, as soon as they have discovered
the principle on which alone mankind ought to be
governed. That principle has been stated to be, 4 the
direction of circumstances,' and the practice to con-
sist in withdrawing those which experience has proved
Ito be injurious to hunkind, and in introducing mhos -
which, on the same authority, we know to be pro-
ductive of benefit. Now, if we examine by this cri-
,terion the proceedings of all past Governments, it
must be acknowledged that, with very few excels.
titins, they have done, from error, whatever was pre-
judicial to themselves and to the people, and have
left undone whatever it was for their own interest,
and for the interest of their subjects, that they should
lhave pet-Ruined. To go into detail upon this part of
ithe subject, would be invidiors and useless; it Will
be quite sufficient to state generally, that it bas ever
been the real interest of Governments, that 41 their
subjects should have a full supply of whatever is ne-
cessary to their health and comfort that they should
be temperate, intelligent, and moral; and that they
should possess the best dispositions and the kindest
feelings for their fellow-subjects and fellow men, mo-
deling to them every advantageous service in their
power. And yet that, from igninane of true prin-
ciples, it has been almost the whole business of every
Government we have hitherto known, to construct a
combination of circumstances, which effectually pre-
vents the substantial attainment of any one of these
objects. Such are the circumstances which now, in
a greater or less degree, eitist in- every country, and,
in our owu, to a greater extent than any one, before
examination, can imagine. Men have been taught