Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-20

s,,s AR. H,s.e:d, has rot yet found It's way into
the United States; where the young people OF all
prccpitated into business during infancy
And that prince oflphiesophcis, Lord Bacon,
pained that in his tme the full growth of the mind
was retarded by the pcrnicous custom, then preva
lent in Europe of permitting the youth To enter into
active life at so early age as thirty" But, TO
add remark which more properly belongs to anoth
or subcct) if children will thus precptate them
selves into business in the walks of private life, the
government, might at least exclude them from the
concerns of public Offices till they attain the full
manhood of at least thirty years. 1t is be hoped
the conventionsts will look to this prominent
evil in our constitutions such admitting ,tl,eape-
rienced youth is;o our legislative and executive
counscls.
In regard to banking officers, would consgn
them all 10 the tomb Of the Capulcts." But be-
fore leave them the eternal silence of the grave,
| would PROFOUND to them few questions To ru,ni-
nate on. The answers however will suggest them
selves to the common Of every one Of them
with the promp;i,ess of intuition. Pray gentlemen
what livelihood do you follow: Lending money.
How do you get it TO lend' 1t is Entrusted to MS
by the government and the people for that purpose.
Can they not lend II themselves on the same terms
that YOU do without the expense OF princely cdccs
to shelter you, and cxorba nj salaries to faten, and
throwing temptations of handling much cash Ill
your way TO seduce your honesty? They could
not lend bank notes; they would have to lend hea-
Wy silver which is announcement to commerce. Could
not the government lend treasury notes which would
answer the same purpose; and could not individu-
ais lend tho little silver they have to their neghbors
keep IL from rus'ing, with equal, pr udent,
and impartial hanl than you CAM They. ...they...
;hey..could sir. must then come to the irresistible
conclusion that the legislatures of these states,
| raising such an army Of unproductive labourers,
have robbed more useful cmployments of many able
bodied men, and perhaps of talents, suit
cd for better purposes; have thrown them ia the
way of temptations to fraud; have incurred i'm
mensc expense of useless buildings and salaries
which make great havoc on the profits of capital
that nigh; have been circulated without this de-
moralising system, under whose auspices intrigue
and speculation nest the land, aud divest all weak
minds from the more substantial and honcrt pur-
suits.
Merchants, sailors, carmen, porters, and other
transportcrs, are indispensable TO thriving comniu-
nty as reciprocal agents, and carriers between the
productive laboureTs and the consumer. These
however, may be aeused in vending, as some of the
productive callinGs i'll fabrcating, articles OF
vicious luxury but this in the other case, is
minor offence the great burthcn and responsibility
Of which rests the shoulders of the vain and de-
PRAYED consumer. So that the merchants are only
culpable in permitting themselves to be made the
thermometer which indicates the tickle, the whmsi-
cal temperature of the fashion.
Players, musicians, and mental servants, who Off
ciate for money, chiefly to be considered inno
cent luxuries, when restrained to certain limits
The two former sometimes edifying, and arc
susceptible of but little abuse.
Having already spoken Of the entire classes of
legerdemain and slight Of hand performances, ven
triloqusts biioons, &c. licensed socie-
~, it remains TO make remark upon profcsscd
gamblers; who equivocal kind of non-dcs-
crp,, being licensed in states and brought I'M
der the criminal law i'll others. For my part am
rather inclined to consider them criminals
than innoccntS. They have not the apology oil
pursuing their vicious practices for the amusement
OF Others stipulated price, in which case the of.
fence would be divided between themselves and thei
! employers. They are propelled in their vicious ca
recr by the sordd craving of pelf without oic,iu;
an equivalent TO others, elmer in amusement ii
! kind. And the unwary among them pay the dam
ages. till they become adopts and revenge then,
! selves in turn upon their new disciples. True, tho
do not actually .teal, but they virtually do, by til
advantages they possess over raw hands, well know
to themselves, blt uIiknown 10 their antagonists.
! ldlers, as they passive sort of beings, ma
be innocent at least their vice is of the negaiiv
kind but it were well We're that the worst TO b
said Of them: for idleness is bat transitory stag
of being; it is but the thin partition between use
ful employment and vicious practices. And whc
man has so far declined from the high claims {
society, as TO quit the former, he soon fails
the utter debasement of carving out projects in tn
lattcr-so true is it {: Elct recolutions 7seucJ q
fJGek."
| l shall now return 10 tie theme, whether college
and universities adequate to the diffusion {
/ knowledge among the people; in the course
which hope to show the applicability of the fore
| going remarks, if am not already anticipated b
the intui.ivc apprehension OF every one.
20 be eon!inuea)