Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-05-29


is also called source Of wealth; but
without labor, il would be of Compare
lively no value; even the few spontane-
Gus productions OF the earth useful to
men, require labor in fitting them for
such use.
shall attempt to prove that labor APP
piled TO the production OF what is useful
aud beneficial TO society is al,cays accu-
mulafipe in its nature; all the fruits Of our
industry, so far as they are applied to
meet the necessary wants of commu-
nifty, are Investments for future use. use
the term Investment for what is sometimes
calico expenditure In this connection,
for illustI alton, the man who rears a
dwelling, necessary for himself and fam
lily, makes all Investment against future
want, as directly, as he does who places
his money in stocks for future use; he
who labors to furnish himself and family
with food and clothing suited to their
wants, invests the fruit of his labor for
future need, as directly as he does who
stores his silver and his gold for a like
purpose. Without these supplies, the
ply sical and moral energies of man could
never be matured or sustained; all would
be lost, the earth emplied of its inhabi-
tants. Whatever is applied to the ma
turing, sustaining and perlocting the
physical, intellectual and moral powers
Of men, and tending to promote that
which is useful and beneficial to the
community, is capital applied to ad-
vance national wealth and prosperity; TO
secure the production and the application
of such capital is the duty of every
government, and to this end should the
science Of political economy forever be
directed.
I An objection may arise to the view
here taken, from the fact that labor to
some extent in every country, is applied
to the production Of what are denomina-
ted the superfluities Of life; that these
may be beneficial and yet are not among
the supplies TO meet the irants Of the
community. BE it SO. 1t is not at va
rance with my position. The question
how far government can by its acts and
its laws, patronize the production of the
superfluities and luxuries Of life, in ac-
cordance with sound principles Of politi-
cal economy, is not new one; the ad-
vocates for such patronage say it is
stimulus to increase industry that il tends
to develope mind, and means for greater
usefulness, which but for such patron
age would lie dormant and useless. So
far as it has the effect, it is capital in
vested for future use. For example ;the
man who can purchase himself suit Of
clothes for fifty dollars, equally comforta-
bic and equally durable, as suit that
would cost hundred dollars, but forI
reasons which seem to him substantial,
purchases the most expensive suit, and is
induced by it to double his diligence and
the fruits Of his industry, loses nothing
by an increase Of diligence and Of skill,
he invests in himself new and increas-
ed capital for future profit; but suppose
he has not increased his labor or his skill,
to meet the extra amount of cost, then it
is loss to him. Still, SO far as his wants
were supplied, it was good investment
for future profit.
The government which authorizes the
manufacture and traffic in Ardent Spir-
its, lends its authority TO legalize cor
ruption, and violates the first principles
of political economy. In the first place,
/ say the capital, the labor and the fruits
Of it directed in this channel are useless
it has often been proved that even to the
druggist, Ardent Spirits is not necessary.
Many medical and scientific men have
testified to this assertion, from their own
experience. 1t is also evident from the
fact that drugs and compounds were as
scientifically prepared and as successful
ly applied in staying the progress of dis
ease before the discovery Of Ardent Spir-
its, as they have been since, and as a
drink the article is highly pernicious,
continually warring against the welfare
of men.
IL this position be true, government
has no right to authorize the traffic; this
i infer from several considerations. -
Every government is bound to protect
its citizens in the enjoyment oftheir nat
ural rights, Of life, and of the use of the
elements which surround them. 1t is as
unjust Tor government to violate these
rights, as it is for one individual to vio-
late them. The government that should
assume to make grant to one or more,
giving authority to corrupt the air, or the
water which is for his neighbours use, or
to sell as healthful aliment, such kinds
of food as injure his health, as manifest
ly acts without right, as the government
would that should attempt to repeal the
commands of the decalogue, or any 9TH
er statute of heaven. 1t is violating the
first great principles on which society isI
founded, and the rights which are grant
ed by the unalterable laws of God. The
Legislature that assumes such q power,