The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-10-03

/. destruction. Is more liberty required than we now
enjoyl isit demanded that people should be
brought to state OF equality that does not now ex-
lst How shall this object Of desire be obtained
VINO does not now possess as much personal ber-
ty as consists with public security Where is The
individual, speak Of this Commonwealth, whose
rights are iniringedl Who is denied the liberty
to defend life to acquire and possess property. seek
and obtain safety and happiness
Is equality OF knowledge and property demand
ed To accomplish such purpose, you must in
the first place direct your eyes to Heaven aad pe-
tiuon God TO endow every human mind with The
same number Of talents and give TO every man the
: same capacity for worldly pursuits. But to come
within the sphere of human agency. Would you re-
qnlfe your government 20 publish 4 scale of science
and literature and settle the bounds which no cti-
zen should pass. Suppose, then, tlis limit TO
thought, this bound OF rising intellect to be prac-
tcabie, and consider it accomplished The no.
Dlest asPrlngs ol the soul now stiaad and
chains are riveted on the mind-servitude the mos.
oase. Let the aggregate amount OF property in the
whole Commonwealth this year be equally distrib-
uted among its respective members and a similar
distribution would be called for next wear and in
the prosecution Of this scheme of equality of prop
city, you would parayZe the arm ofinGus,ry quench
the ardor of useful exerton, destroy the spirit of
enterprise, and introduce universal dstrust and
confusion
| Can aspirants to the distinctions of knowledge
honor, and wealth expect desire greater enconr-
agements than are now presented to their minds
The road leading to these eminences is public
high way, on which all have comaon rights The
community impartally watch the progress of those
who have entered on the course, and are not slow
TO reward worthy competitor. Individuals and
those not few, who were not favored with lib
eral education, by the native vigor of their minds
and an assld3 ous Improvement of the means they
enjoyed. have rendered themselves conspicuous
for their intellectual and moral qualifications and
such men never fail to secure the confidence of
their fellow citizens, and they usually receive the
most grateful attentions Of the public. The great
est astronomer that ever appeared in Massachusetts,
who has corrected the publications of one of the
most scientific authors in Europe, is self-taught
man and has through life taken part in the active
business OF society. The education of the first
president OF the United States was private and
very lmited-with his life you are all acquainted
HIS name is almost unrivaled among the distn-
guIshed meE of the world
Many have literally worked their passage through
a College education, and worked their way to emf
nence in society. The second Presd.G nj of the
United States was the son of a moderate farmer
On graduating at Cambridge, he came TO Worces
ter, and in the Town School as it then was which
would bear but humble comparison with the pres
ent principal schools of our village, he earned
money to meet the expenses of his legal education.
success in commercial pursuits is equally open
to the industrious, the enterprizing, and skilu
One of the most wealthy merchants ofate resident
in our capital, began his busy as cooper on
board vessel in the West India trade.
Look through the Commonwealth and select the
individual men, who have been the most success
full IN the accumulation of property and those who
are the most distinguished in the several learned
professions and you will find that much the great
er proportion of them men who commenced
life under thorough conviction that their success
in business their standing and their characters in
the world were all suspended on their own exer-
tons Can such men DeCOmn isolated IN Sociafv
Can they exist as distinct class, and have inter
ests opposed to the interests of their fellow cit.
zens No. They belong TO a common country,
they are part OF a common community, and in
public prosperity have a common portion
Are these men independent OF those around them?
No. For all the comforts they enjoy they are de-
pendent on those with whom they in one form or
another are associated The most wealthy and
elevated have not nenials about them who are
subject 10 their despotic control. All in their en-
pioyment are compensated fer services performed
by wages received, the con, enences they demand
and possess give employment and profit to those
who furnish them and the more their desires for
various and costly clegancies increase, and the
more expensive their modes of living become the
moro the channels multiplied through which
their riches pass to those who supply the means of
their qualification.
Such are the links of the great chain which bind
together the members OF society. Why then should
there be invdlOus distinctions between them
The productions of the earth furnish the chief
sustenance OF man. and on farmers the whole world
is absolutely dependent To mechanical niger uity
we are Indebted for many of the conyeniencies and
comforts OF domestic te and for all the elegan-
cles and ornaments of society. The body of agri-
culturlsts and mechanics constitute the great ma
JoriIy Of every civilized country and compose the
strength OF free States. These classes must cher
ish regard for the public welfare, for 1t is their
life. When called to act in public affairs, they act
honestly, and when duly informed, correctly But
in the greatest concerns wise and good inen may
differ in opinion. In free communities. parties
may arise where the general intention is pure and
patriotic But people should be on their guard
against the insnuations of men, who have selfish
purposes to accomplish by measures they recon-
mend, and against the intrigues of the ambitious,
who would sacrifice the public good to their per-
sonaI agrandizement. The man who in private
transactions is found to be fair and open and hon
est, who by the general course of his life and con-
versatlon discovers, that he feels the force of NOR
al obligations, that he fears God and has respect to
future retribntion, is worthy of confidence, and
to him public trust may safely be committed
But let him be governed by the spirit, not the mere
form oil godliness.
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS spy