Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-31

matter OF saprise ,hs. the science ofpolticsi econ
nv, which aims az the improvement Of society,
..rot hy .elinea,ing plans Of new constitutions,
but by enlightening the policy Of aetuai Legs!a-
tors should have received its chief illustrations
within the last fifty years. The literature of the
antients. their laws and usages, and particularly
their mode Of administering the conquered provin-
ces, demonstrate their total Ignorance of the frs
sudimenta OF this science. Nor amidst the faint
ljshts that occasionally flickeed on this subject,
after comparative freedom Of enquiry had sue
,eeded the abandonment Of the T" divine right Of
Kings" do we see any thing which could be disn-
fed with the appellation OF principles.
\, I776 an epoch suspicious TO the whole hui
man race. Adam Smith first published his" Wealth
OF Nations and presented in an embodied form
,hosc principles, which. though founded in the
ture OF things, had remained undiscovered during
the lapsc Of ages. But unfortunately, the excres
rence of ,nonopoles had long before Formed itself
ON the body poiic of every nation IN Europe, and
h,J grown TO such an extent that amputation would
have endangered the vitality OF the system. Clam
ours were raised and Smith then decried as
theorist, who was opposed to the experience that
surrounded him. The legislator disliked the con-
viction of his error, the manufacturer was alarmed
for the continuance Of his monopoly, and amidst
the affected contempt of self important ignorance
and ne,ulant assaults of contracted seliishness,
,hc Wealth of Nations left 10 force its way
In the world, aided only by rs lights, which were
,oo brilliant to be hidden. Political economy had
a. length been erected into science, its principles
were now studied by few intelligent men, but 1t
was vet unable 10 arres, the Jolly OF legislative
meddlns many publications on the subject issued
from the British and continental presses; but text
hook was wanted in which the fruits Of an enlarged
and accurate observation referred TO general
brinciples that might be admitted by every reflect
ing mind This deficiency NJ. Say has most hap
piiy supplied, and his work published in 1903, and
translated into every language OF Europe. has con-
,ributcd more than any other, 10 duse the princi-
ples of this most valuable science, Ricardo, Mall
ibus and Sismondi have since enriched itwi,h tbsr
contributions, and a woman Mrs, Marcet,) from
whom men high in station might usefully condes-
Send to take lessons, has in her" Familiar Con-
yersations,' made its principles accessible TO tho
lIumbes understanding.
The developements in this beautiful science are
now become the boast OF the age in which we live
France has the honor oil having Established, under
{be sanction OF public authority the FIRST professor
.hp of this new branch OF instruction; the mer-
chants of Barcelona have, at their own expencc,
made similar foundation. The Emperor Of Rus
sia has directed his brothers, the Arch Dakes Nj
cholas and Michael, TO attend course at lectures
ON this subject, under the direction OF Mr. Siorch
Cambridge has founded chair Tor the same pur-
pose; and in the Universities of Scotland, OF Ger
".
lcurore, professorships Of political ECONOMY are
already established In this rapid extension OF the
principles OF the science, cannot Mr.. Rush disco
vcr the true cause of the increasing beraty OF the
British Government Canhe apply no adrnonitions
10 cure him of the folly OF his Fictitious ideas!
half century hence, and Europe In spite OF her
chains and her tears will probably have effaced
the last ves,ige OF restriction; and yet cal
led upon TO shut out the lights that are bursting up
ON the world, and to walk in the steps tina, have
led others TO misery. 1t may be well before wa
part, to invite Mr.. R1sh's attention once more TO
the condition Of those countries which ho holds ur
90 our imitation: he will listen al least 10 the voice
of Say, though he be deaf TO the world besides
But, says Say, in the countries said 10 be in
furnishing condition, how many human beings car
he enumerated in a situation to partake OF such en-
! ioymentsl one out Of a hundred thousand a
most, and out of Thousand perhaps not one wh'
may be permitted 10 enjoy what is called comfort
: able independence. The haggardness of poverty
severy where seen contrasted with the sleeknes
as for III. deasss 81 d lRs Of sss
by the side Of stately colonaGes the rags OF ndi-
1 seace blended with the ensigns of opulence; in
word, the most useless profusion in the midst of thu
most urgent wants." Having now presented
weight OF authority against the general principle
restriction, which the name of MIR. Rush alone will
scarce be thought sufficient TO outw egh, may b,
permitted to enquire, what are the peculiariiies O
a uur country that would take it out of the genera
rule! / answer none. An intelligent writer O
New York has shewn by plain calculation, thai
undert. 9 existing Tariff, the American has ths
enormous encouragement Of nearly a hundred per
cent, 10 enable him TO compete in the home mar
1et with the British manufacturer, and if that anc
much more, il still greater encouragement he
sary it is fair conclusion from the facts and tn,
reasoning collected above, that i, must be the er-
fTcme Of folly in The rulers ofthe country, to fore,
us as yet into Tie pursuit of manufactures. shall
now take leave OF Mr.. hush by suggesting for biz
reflection, this plain truth: "The mistakes of in
divduals in private life can never ruin but small
number of families, whilst those of Princes and
Ministers spread dssolation orer q ,chole eoun
try" l. CITIZEN.