Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-10-13

whole sum would Immediately be pledged; an,
thus the Managers enabled to go into successful
operation.
The Poor u,ust be supported. either in Undo
lence by aims, or by giving them an opportuni
ty to maintain themselves, by their own honestl,
acquired pittance. It is universally conceded
that the latter is incomparably the better plan.-
By aims, we teach them to trust to other hand.
sfor their support, aud thus hire them to become
Wendicants, and pests to society.-By furnishing
Mem with employment we nourish that spirit Of
independence which should ever be cherished in
the Rosoms Of the poor, aud which alone can pre-
vent, pur doors from being infested with bessars,
and our Aims House from OVERLOOKING with pau
pers:
we have called this the economy of cha
rify. because we believe it to be real saving OF
money to the community. Abolish this institu-
ton. and our citizens will have much more mo-
ney drawn from their pockets by lazy beggars,
than is requisite for its support. From the ex-
perience of last winter, those who have the dis
posal of funds for the poor placed in their hands,
aud many private families who never send any
empty away, can testify that the number of ap-
p,Icants for their bounty was greatly diminished.
At all events, it affords them an opportunity of
testing the sincerity of those who apply for aid
with the common plea, that they would work if
they could get employment Ii they are so dis
posed. then they can be directed where it may be
had: if not. then NAV the good old rule be ap-
plied-"if any would NOT work, neither should
he eat''
But it is needless to trespass further on Your
columns 4 hint will suffice to en- sure many more
TO follow the example which has been set. And
Of any benevolent individuals cannot really at
ford to give $40. would suggest the plan of uni
ting with one or more, and thus at once, would
the sum already subscribed conditionally DE Sc
cured. the Managers of the Society relieved from
that which is the most unpleasant part Of eve
nv good work. personal application for money;
aud those excellent ladies' receive most substan-
tial proof that they have the appreciation of eve
~ FRIEND TO THE POOR.
-sNA
COMMUNICATED.
Ma. EnrroR-The opinion is common in the
world. aud has received the sanction of men,
who, in their Judgment of human affairs, are dis
unSuiShed for the force and accuracy of their
soning, that nations grow up. flourish, and die,
like the plants ef the vegetable world, Hume.
and, after him, the great historian Robertson.
appear to lend the weight of their name and au-
thorily TO this theory. when they reduce the his
tory of mankind TO a series of - eral'd'ions and
depreSsi,ns." unavoidable and Hsepelable from
human society. 1t may appear appear ptesump-
tiouS thus to speak. bur we cannot SEE any good
reason for believing that there is kind of poi
souous influence connected with all human con-
Germs, which, in some mvserious manner, is
working the ruin of every thing reared by human
effort and enterprise why should we believe
that governments and institutions. projected and
established by the exertion of intellect. are des
tined 10 the perishable fate of the plants Of the
material world? Such theory implies Il spe-
cies Of faiGiSm revolving to our feelings, and re-
QuireS evidence of very superior KIND To force
u To Weld To it our assent. Governments. by
which men are linked aud banded together into
nations. possess nothing of the inherent proper-
ties Of matter: they are brought into ing safely
by the force and energy Of mind. and, II founded
upon principles which reason dictates and eXpe-
rience confirms. thev will continue to flourish so
long as the nature Of man remains unchanged.
We deem it. then, unphitosophical. to found
theory of the kind to which we have made refer
ence. upon any Supposed analogy. winch has no
real existence, between governments and the OBJ
jeCts of the material universe.
The day is past wien the idea could be enter
tsined with anv kind of reason. that ruin ard
desolation will Overtake those portions OF the
world, which now stand highest in the scale ot
learning and civilization. The nations which
have hourished and prospered in the world.
were DESTROYED bv causes which can never ope-
rate with the same force, In the improved state al
modern society. There was nothing then In ex-
istence to counterfeit the downward tendency OF
affairs, when luxury and licentiousness had usurp-
ed the place OF the hardy virtues of men. which
alone had brought into being. and supported the
governments then instituted. Hence, when the
public spirit OF people was lost in a regard Tor
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and individual conve-
nience. the nation was overturned byits stronger
and more warlike neghbors, urged on BY the de-
sire Of conquest, and destined To pass through
the same stages of strength prosperity and de-
cav. But in modern times men are acted upon
more by moral Influences. Reasons of policy
such as were unknown in ancient times, arising
from commerce and the pecuniary interests OF
individuals, would govern and restrain such ma
tons as possess power from tramphng on the
weak. were they not also restrained by strong
sense of what right and justice demands. The
Press exerts its wonderful power. The rights
of individuals and of nations, are SO far under