Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-10-26


are held laborcrs, mechanics, manufac-
turcrs, sailors, and merchants, Nall oil
whom are continually increasing the ma.
uonal wealth by their industry, al well
as It's strength, by their numbers. F-'s
charity has served not only TO upport
several families, but has doubled their
number, BY the births which have taken
place since they partook Of his bounty,
After his death, they must still be sup
ported by others, or s,arve. They are
not able to add any thing bytheir labor
TO the public stock, and though the chit
dren will hereafter be able, their present
situation is the worst OF ali schools to
acquire habits oi industry. Were all
eur landholders like NJ, th. wealth
and popu lalion cfthe state would quick
ly be doubled. Were all like p,
with all his virtues and wealth, popula-
ton would rapidly diminish, until the
country became desert. Thousands
are pursuing the ruinous course OF the
latter: very few guilty ate so as alike 10
lncy ense the national resources and their
own.
My opinion ON this subject, taogh, me
TO expect !itle increase in the popula-
lion of Virginia, and not 10 be elisap-
pointed IN the report of tie last census,
which shows gain of but 10 per cent.
IN The last ten years. But for the re-
Gently awakened spirit OF agricultural
inprovsment (he impulse 10 which,
WE owe to the author Of Arator.) | thinl.
'that the ,iriewater DISTRICT would have
suffered a considerable elimination. AS
much vacant lands as this district con
taiiis, there is but little nhcul,ivsted,
wnich (uolil enriched) viii yield any
clear profit. Therefore, Eastern Vir-
glnla, N It's present slate, is iplly popu-
lated, and no increase can be expected,
except FROM the improvement. Of the
soil, and the consequent increased means
Of subsistence. We export provisions
it is true; this may al firstseem TO indi-
cate a Surplus OF the means OF subsis-
,ence, and a fund for additional popuia-
ton. But such conclusion wouid be
incorrect. Our surplus food is exchang-
cd for ciclhing and other commodities,
which in fact, or from custom, are as
necessary as sufficient iood Our only
cpDso.alon IS, that our excess ofponnis-
ton ctnlgra,es 10 the Ees,, instead of
starving, as in mos.iuily populated conn-
tries. l3el
Ii private individuals can exert so
much Influence CD the population and
strength Of .nrir ceGHtry, how much
inora extensige Haust be thai Of the go
yerBtnent. A member OF ahe .tgisia-
tore, BY a single vote, may X tard popFaia-
tim uurc than by des,ruyiag the pro-
ductivencss OF all the landin his posses
sion, A single bad law, which cramps
ingenuity and industry, or destroys their
honest aims, or what is worst, puts them
into offers pockets, causes more power
" and ,depopuialion than a thousand ex-
hausliny eulliya,,i's. Many are the sins
of this description, which have been
committed oy our legislatures, both
STATE and federal; it is enongh 10 Eaine
as examples, the protecting daly policy,
henbiDg, and laws for the compulsory
support Of the poor. The last though
not the least If such evils, VIII hereafter
become the bcayiesi. paor laws i'm
pose taxes and penalties Oh honest IN
siuslry, and offer rewards for ialcness,
drunkenness and debauche-
ry--aDd their inevitable consequence will
pe to increase those vices, nnlll their
support shall have absorbed tie whole
income Of the industry OF the nation.-,
Englaad has already drawn near TO that
a.cadt'ul situation, and with her example
before us, we are pursuing the same
course, 10 the enc.
APplM