Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-17
PROVIDENCE.
ORIGINAL STORY.
n DISCOVERY.
ICoNCLUDED.1

cuPtor, IePNeu IiaIlssa, y you KNOW ne VIII
not injure the helpless and peacable."
"Still," replied Edward, "I should be un-
willing to trust you in his hands for, although
he is so kind to the ladies, I have not much
faith in the principles Of a robber ~
"From what l have understood - said Mr..
Green, al should judge this Mc-Mc-what
did you call his name ," -
"McLeland, Sir" said Clarissa.
"Thank you'll should Judge this McLeland
TO be q person Of honor-sincero and faithful
true TO his word, and he even robs on prin-
ciplo."
"Robs on principle! I" cried Edward.
Even So" continued Mr.. Green. ~ { ap-
pears that no was left an orphan early in life |;
and being destitute of the means which We
have enjoyed, to instruct our minds. and give
us an idea Of the duties which we owe to So
ciety, enjoined both by philosophy and relig-
ion-he formed his own opinions, and profess
es to see no reason why one man should en-
joy the bounties of an indulgcnt Providence,
and another starve and perish for want of
small portion Of them. He therefore thinks
himself justified in wrestling from therich their
ill-gotten treasures, and appropriatipg them TO
nate" s
"CIarissa,' said Edward. this sosnds
somo like your herssies =" .
"Fie, Edward - replied Clarissa, "you
charge me ~wrongfully /; you know | am an ad-
vocate for honesty in all our dealings"
So is McLcland,' replied Edward. and
perhaps you would both agree as to what hon
esty is !"
Not so,'' said she. "I have often said
that l thought the worlds goods were very un-
equally divided-and that if l were wealthy.
I should not feel justified in walIowing in luxu-
ry, while my neighbors were suffering around
me. But as the state Of the world is, I think
all we can now do, is for the poor to be indus
trious, and the rich to be generous. l do not
approve Of a mans helping himself to his
neighbours property"
"She is right said Mr.. Green. 81 have
frequently thought on the subject. desire to
know what right mankind have to entail large
estates upon their posterity-to keep their
treasures in the hands Of a chosen few, while
mon made Of the same flesh and blood as
themselves, perhaps more noble and moro vir-
tuous, are groaniug under the ills Of poverty.
IT'S time there was a reform. The majority o!
the world are row subject to an aristocratical
few, whose pelf enables them to tyrannize
over and Cypress their fellows.-Who would
not willingly unsheath his sword in such q
cause :"
"I would not" said Edward. "Although
your scheme has something novel and roman
tic in il, which is calculated to mislead youth.
iul minds, yet, a little examination into the
ed upon sound reason. Were property equally
divided, and were human ingenuity and labor
not called into action by the desire Of gain,
iRto what an abject condition would the WORLD
there must be some end in view-or the saw
of the carpenter will be silent, the hammer Of
the smith will rest upon his anvil, the sailor
will desert his ship, the merchant his count
ing house, the school-master will cease his in
s,ructions, and idlcness and ignorance destroy
all the attributes OF man."
"On the other hand,'' replied Mr.. Green,
are not the noblest attributes Of man de.
stroyed by making him a mere beast of bur.
then /? A slave, that he my not starve He
sweats under his cruel task m = he strains
every nerve 10 procure him subsistence Tho
must not cease from his labor, excepting OF
such times as he is permitted by his employ
crs he must not think he must not &C: in
dependently Of those who are placed above
him-he must Join in all their schemes-co
operate in their plans-he must cringe, bow
and ~fatter- he must have no will Of his own.
Still, this man is free, and lives in a free coun-
try Gods that n man should be afraid 10
look another in the face Bot l have seen it
yes, | have seen it You talk Of ignorance.
Did a man ever learn anything against his
will Because men are made FREQ and equal,
will that check their inquiries. and reconcile
them 10 sit down in l%istlcss Incidence No.
the powers Of the mind would emerge from
their obscurity. Bowed down and shackled as
they have been by tyranny, they would sud
denly expand with glorious reaction, and de-
spo,ism once vanquished, superstition and pa
~ralyzing fear would soon follow in its rear
As regards idleness, man would ever find SUI
Gcicnt employment in the tilIago Of his acres
and the cultivation of his mind and he would
be free True, wo should have no stately
palaces--yet what are they bot the temples Of
tyrannvl What do they denote, bu, that thou