Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-30
MIR. RUSH,S REPORT.

| Mn lSOSIt hEIOhI.
The sentiments of Mr. Rush are al war with thos.
OF the most distinguished Political Economists: will
Smih,wih Say, with Tracy, with StorclS, and with
McCuioch. They have added another CHAPTER 10
inc doctrine OF the value of Liberty. They have
almost accomplished in Political Economy what the
American writers & Statesmen have done in Politi-
Cal science Their principles go to show that man
suffers moreby too much restriction than by too little
that as nations may be happier, by being permitted
10 govern themselves, so individuals may attain
greater prosperity By being permitted in the greater
degree TO regulate their own labour and capital
Our politicians have knocked off the shackles
which Kings, mobiles and established Priests impos-
ed upon the political rights OF man: In the same
manner our Economists should have rejected most of
those shackies which the mercantile system of Eu-
rope had imposed upon the employment of indivitl-
uais the measures necessary raise up a navy foi
detence, aud in few cases possibly to counterpoil
me impostons oil other nations bang the only great
! exceptions That were recognised by the soundest
principles OF political Economy
MI Rush, however, seems 10 turn his back upon
most OF these authorities. He goes the tchoie.
ne en'eralns rs high an opinion Of the duty of a
government in regulating the pursuits of indiyi,u-
ais as Mr.. Mum himself. He seems disposed " 10
organize the whole labour of counry:'' as if men
were always IN leading strings s. were not as well a.
Ole To md out what l. best for their own interests
the government itsef.--A Smith seems to have de-
monstrated to very little purpose, that indivi-
ouals are always the best judges of what is for their
own interest, and that in prosecuting branches of
industry advantageous 10 themselves thew neces-
sarily prosecute such are advania 40 eous 10 the
publIc''--and that therefore every regulation
intended to force Industry into particular channels
or 10 determine the species of commercial inter
course TO be carried between different paris of
the same country, or between distant and indepen-
dent countries, is impolitic and pernicious--in-
curious to the rights oil Individuals, and adverse to
the progress OF real opuence and lasting prospcri-
~. MT McCulloch seems TO have thought rather
differently from Mr.. Rush when he closed his able
pamphlet with these striking words i" We have
shown the close and ind:ssolube connexion sub
sisiins between private and public opulence, and
that whatever has any tendency 10 increase the
Ioimer, must, 10 the same extent increase the
latter; and we have shown that secmiiu of
property, freedom of industry and moderation
an the Pn0ic expenditure, the only, as
they are the certain, means by which the vari-
Gus powers and resources of human talent and
ingenuity can be called into action, and society
made continually to advance in the career of wealth
and civilization. Every increase of security or of
freedom Is benefit, as every diminution, whether
OF The one or the other, Is an evil Ii is 10y the
spontaneous aid unconstraned efforts of indiyidn
ais 10 Improve their condition and TO rise in the
world, and by these efforts only, that nations be-
come rich and pow erful. The labour and the saw
inss oi andiUdadfS are at once the source and the
measure OF national opuence and public prosperi
ty. They may be compared 10 the drops of dew
which invlsoraie and mature ali vegetable nature
None oil them has sIngly any percepIble influence;
but we owe the foliage of summer and the fruits OF
autumn TO their combined actions
Mr. X. seems, however, TO have a much HIGHER
opinion than these writers, of the virraes of 90
vernment. Nov, which appears on tie first blusI,
to be the best; for individuals to distribute them
selves according TO their own interests into line
various classes Of farmers, merchants or manuf,c
tureIs; or, Tor government to organize the labour
oil society, 10 say how many merchants there shall
be, how many manufacturers, how many artists of
each sort TO invite capitalists from one claas into
another, by taA.'g The class for the benefit or
another; and As 1t must sometimes turn out hy tax
ing one section OF country for The eInolument of
another?
i.'s further objection presents itself; that it is
JederGf government which does this; which ought
IN Its sphere 10 respect the lights & as far as posi-
ole, study the Interests OF all: Ii is also q Ewjfed
government, which could scarcely have been con-
sdered by its trainers 10 be endowed with such
StceePmS powers over the whole machine of So
ciety, touching every department of Iabour and OF
capital.
MIR. Rush is of those men whom we have
been taught TO respect-prrsonally, we have none
but the beht feelings towards him: and we reeret
that 1t is not in our power TO agree with him in The
great principles OF lis Report. We would inf
nitely rather have been its Biologists than its Critics