The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-07-15


This system has probably never been
adopted in any christian country, aud we
who give, and gise largely in charity 10 the
inhabitants Of other realus, will not be tire
hrst To try Whit may se.in cruel experi.
ment upon our own poor. Yet, IN common
prudence, we Ought 10 examine subject
of SO great and growing Importance, aud 10
reconcile the conflicting claims and duties
Of charity and policy SO Ear as they can be
reronciI,d.
To undertake this, we must first be sa-
sisfed that il has nod already BEEN done ;
that the subject deserves attention and
that better regulations may be adopted
thsn any heretofore authorized by Law.
That the subject merits the nigt enfnrst
attestion of every person who feels an in
fefest IN the welfare of posterty, we are
admonisbed by the sad example OF Eng
land, By reason aud our ewn experience.
The parish 4e,ies have increased IN a ratio
greatly beyond the ratio of increase in pU-
pulation, and il is within the knowledge of
every person of observation, that this ratio
TINS been greatly diminished, and the adj
vanrement of pauperism greatly retarded
by emigration to the west, consisting until
oflate years, in great measure ofroor and
idle people. 1t must be admitted, also,
that the people Of Virginia, upon "A fair
analysis, would be found to contain as
large proportion of the materials OF
which pauperism is compounded, as any
people ia the world mixed, indeed, with
The levcn of Independence and manly
pride. These arc antagonists Of beggary ;
bnt unable To resist long, the natural and
artificial causes, which combine to produce
II, The natural propensity Of all mankind, To
care aud Incidence, aud Of large proper
ton 10 dissipation and intcmperance ;
slavery The unwillingness of the poor
To labor with slaves. offspring of lndepen.
denoe and pride the total suspension OF
emigration to the west, which is 10 be ex-
pectrd 10 few years and indiscrimlnate
provisions for the poor. Add to these the ra-
pd increase amongst the poor, tae want OF
instruction, their expensive, wastcful, and
too often incorporate habits and we can
not but anticipate an enormous increase IN
The hurthen OF maintaining them and tins
also exasperutes the evil. A large portion
Of the surplus derived from the labor Of
the industrious aud frugal it left To its pro.
per destination, would be expended IN the
purchase of comforts and conveniences,
and thereby give employment 10 other in
dpstrious aud frugal people. You take this
from the lndnsti lous to give 10 the idle
discourage industry, and encourage idle
ness ; aud after all, what induceinent has
4 poor man to toll and delvc from years
end to years end, for bare and scanty
subsistence for himself, ard others little
poorer than himself wlftn he sees them as
well provided for, orperhaps better thanhe
rs, and passing their days III idleness.
But why pretend 10 reason upon the
subject, when we have before our eyes,
the example of that very nation from
which we get tnost OF our political institu-
tons, and the rudimcnts at least, of this
very system. in about twenty years their
poor rates rose from Q 1000 900 to Cid, 00O,-
900 sterling This increase is said to have
been produced by a combination of various
causes, peculiar to that period and, if true,
II may afford qualification to those who
deal in the reconcile mysteries, abstract
reasoning, and philosophy of politics, that
they had the ingennity 90 detect those
causes but il will afford little relief or
consolation To those who bear the crushing
bngtheu In whatever causes the evil
originated, ii continues aud continues to
Increase and we have no charter of inn
mnnity from the casualties aud ills which
visit aud atllict other communities. 1t is
probably true, that all the causes which
conspired to produce this effect in England.
may never concur to produce the same re-
suit here, but some of them will always be
operating, and we ought TO guard against
them in time. We have also III. expert
ence of Scotland, and Of The Quakers in our
own country, ailurdng an example worthy
Of imitation. Should succeed in calling
the attention OF any one To this subject,
would recommend TO him the reading of
Judge Blackslone's remarks upon it, vol. / +,
pa. 3 and the Edinburgh Review, Nos. SIS
and SO, where the question is examined ful-
y and ably. The system Of the Quakers
excludes compulsory provision entirely,
aud their poor are better provided and
more respectable than those of any com
menity whatever. The system in Scotland
IS not entirely voluntary, but approximates
to it, and there also, the poor are said to
have been respectable and well maintained
IN cheap and enicacions manner, and to
add to the value of their example, the Eng
llsh system has recently been introduced
amongst them, aud stands in all its results,
contrasted with the Scotch.
The only objection within my knowledge,
against the sy stem of voluntary contribu
ton, Is this; that it taxes the Kind and Sc
nervous with burth.n that ought to be
borne by ali this burthen, when volunta-
ny, will, amongst the prudent, be adjusted
by well regulated discretion, aud the ge
nerous man will feel more pleasure in CIV
ing than the covetous and hard hearted can
ever feel on any occasion. Ageueral habita-
mongst the prosperous, of attending to, and
relieving the distresscs of their poor neigh
bors, is IN some degree contagious, is calcu
l.. Il