Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-29
FROM THE NATIONAL INrELLIcExcER.
To Me Legislatures q t.lc RESPECTIVE States.
LETTER FOURTH.
Same subject, viz. internal improvements.
ConclyIeJ


tensive system OF internal Improvements,
and shewn, as apprehend, that, however
true IN the abstract, these form no valid
or practical objection let us proceed 10
notice concisely the peculiar and fotcibie
considerations which recommend the adoD.
ton Of such system.
These naturally divide themselves into
two classes, those arising from their re,a.
ton 10 the public interest which we shall
dcnominatc f'oLiticai; and those arising
from their relation 10 the interests OF IN
divIduals, which may DC dcn0minatcd her
sonai.
4 In nation whose wise and liberal no.
licy iorbids all monopoiies, and whose in
stitulions aim at maintaining uninpaired
the rights and immunties of all, that eve
~ man may derive benefi, from their pro
lection, 1t becomes an Object OF vast i'm.
porIancc to place the citizens upon foot
ing oil as perfect equality as the state Of
society and the organisation OF man admit.
By perfect equality, we mean no, to point
TO any agragrlan system, or 20 any unjust
Invasion OF the rights Of property, or the
fruits OF industry; but tot that State orlhines
which places equal means of advancement
within the reach OF the citizen ACCORDING
10 his industry and talent, wherever he
may be placed. The necessary efFecl Of
this equality is conten,ment. It destroys
in the germ ali Iretiul jealousy OF hostility
TO more favored portions OF the communi.
ty. Ii distributes over the whole face Of
the nation equal portions Of power. BY
creating the means OF progressive i'm
proVement in equal degrees, it leads for
ward the entire mass uf the nation by the
same gradationsi IN Zach . STAKE Of soci-
eiy,-we do not, as. IS 100 often the case in
countries dissimilarly Circuns,anced, con-
template the difference oc centuries in the
degree OF civilization in distant parts of
the same nation. We DO not behold this
spot the exclusive seat of wealth, of luxu.
~, OF science; and hzi, the abode Of DO.
A! verify oil want, and Of ignorance. These
are the gloomy effects of kings and courts
and ecclesiastical cstablishments.-They
are, or they ought 10 be, unknown in re.
pnbilcs. This result would, perhaps, OF
Itseif, be conclusive in favor of fostering
vigorous spirit Of internal improve sent
az 1t is most evident G,at The effects Of
such a disposition will increase t1e COM
Tort and wealth Of our citizAlsxam present
the most eiieelual antidote Xmonopoly
by the removal of local preferences will
check the growth of luxury, by dfTusing
instead OF concentrating on a flvorite spot,
the means Of enjoyment; will foster the
interests Of learning by the case of inter
course; and will produce and confirm the
conviction that the interest and happiness
OF all are equally protected.
1t these be the natural and necessary
effects OF an enlarged system OF internal
improvement, is there man, who calls
himself republican, and who properly ap-
Prcciates the inseparablc connection be-
tween the prevalence of republican prir-
ciples and happiness, that can feel indffe-
rent to the subje6l, or permit it TO be me-
glected Tor want Of his cxertions? Let
not one man rely on the efforts Of another.
In cause like this, where the interests Of
all are the same, there should be one com.
mon effort. The cause Of liberty and Of
human happiness has not a deadlier foe
than Incidence. II is always owing to The
us nHerHH OF good and wise meu that vice
or folly reisns. Yet such is the folly OF
'S~1 '''e'e NhitC NlC lDSiltNS iutt dCklDN
Oh law is punished as criminal, the omis.
SION TO discharge duties, without which
laws are empty pagcanis, is attended with
no punishment, and does not even excite
IN all cases consciousness of guilt. For
VIVA; purposes were talents conferred but
to do good? Are philosophers and states
men to be considered as so many excen.
tr'c comets, sent TO this ball to disturb its
harmony or to blot It from existence No I
AS the enlightened patriot, whose unceas-
ing iabors are directed to the promotion
OF the public welfare is the greatest OF
men, 50 ought ne to Be held in tae lowest
degradation, who with the power Of
eminenIy advancing the happiness of.
others, passes his days in inglorious
apathy! His is the worst Of treason ]
God and nature placed him on an e.
minence to WELD the sceptte Of virtue.
Elevated above The passions and vices Of
Che world, on him was dcyolyed the hipb
duty OF restraining the rage Of conteudiar
passions, Of depressing the daring spi,it Of
vice, Of eliminating the timid FEELINGS Of
v.r;ue, and of orresung the arm of the ia.
tricde. Slumbering on post where al
should have been thouehl and viril1uce.