The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-29
DEMOCRACY.

stituted for the good Of ALL rich. and moor R..
such government does not contemplate, or even
admit the possibility of any very great and durable
inequality in society; for its very essence is contra
ry to such state of things. The public good
which is the liberal Specification of the word Renuh'
lie, could not be preserved, under such a state of
things. Extreme wealth, and extreme poverty, ayo
always found togethr, in the same countries; they
are both productive of vicious habits, and criminal
conduct; and necessarily require severe, and arbi-
trary laws. These laws operate unequally on the
rich, and poor; although they may be equally GRIM
mai; aud this very partiaty is source of dis
ordcr IN society; begetting evil passions, and caus
ing retaliation. Extreme wealth NAV, l admit. be
caused sometimes by fortutous circumstances. un.
der good Government and the wisest laws But
Is an exception from the general rule this great
wealth Is not produced by the laws, although it il
entitled to their protection, long as it is not used
to subver these wise laws, and to corrupt the COM
munity.
Great wealth so accumulated, is always so, by in
divlduals. But never by any particular class of
individuals, or by corporations. The chance of ca
PRECIOUS fortune, never attach to these bodies with
out souls. The rule of chances defy the powers of
algebra, and few juggling legislators command the
greatest ayors of fortune, where the public good il
sacrhced to the interest Of the fep. The laws of
republic should be equal in their operation, securing
to every one the whole fruits of his labor, save due
and Just proportion, for the expences of government
All laws which do not effect this, are unjust. and
antl-Republcan and ought to be repeaIed. q. fast
as prudence will allow; and no more such laws
ought ever to be enacted. Our Governors could
never exercise their power ofVEro more righteous.
ly' than in refusing to approve every such law.
Talents and industry need not fear the certain
effects ofust laws, for they will be sure to reap the
reward OF their labor. To him who hath (of these
qualltles) shall be given" And the Bible never
meant otherwise; although the laws of man, have
marred the laws of God. The sharper, on small
SCALE who goes to the State Prison, and sharper on
small scale, who goes to Congress to make par
tial and unjust laws, to favor the interests not of
his constituents generally, but some few of their
number who fee him largely, will both very certain
Iy have reason to dread just, and equal laws; for
their Illicit gains would cease
Wherever great wealth is seen to accumulate in
large masses, we may be sure that there is some
thing wrong in the laws If be by what is called
fair speculation; and what is fair speculation, SO
long as the people aloo certain unequal laws to ex-
lst still such wealth is produced by the unequal aid
OF the laws, in various, and different ways
The Banking system for example, is wrong of it
self, for ii confers favors on individuals without an
equivalent to the public. And it is injurious, in ,s
consequences; one of which is to promote those
wealth without industry, economy or talents, and
cause that great inequality among indviduals-And
what is worse among classes, which is the root of
all evil
Wealth has been called the root of all evil but i'm.
properly. Wealth flowing, naturally, in its proper
channels, on the contrary the source of all good
The first improvements in the social family were due
to the first surplus produce of labor, which was the
nest egg of all wealth 1t enabled the first provden.
man to sow, and cultivate the seeds of all the arts of
society. But this great, and important truth has
been perverted, and abused by interested sophists
whom the foolish people call great men. They
have told the credulous people that it is necessary
to make few men very rich, that they may take
care of the poor. And by way of illustration, they
will point to certain great works, which they say,
could have been done only by these great capitalists.
Ask these great men, whether the same capital in
the hands of those who produced it, could not have
achieved the same great works. Ask them wheth-
er some other governments, in general less wise than
ours, are not more so, in the construction of great
and useful works The cost of all these great works
comes out Of the workingmen in either case it can
come from where else; for their labor produces
every thing; and tax on that labor, (too often
indirect, and invisible tax) pays for every thing.
When the government performs these works, the
people pay what they cost But when corporations
undertake them, the people pay their cost, with the
addition of great profits to the capitalists. Moreo-
yer, the government will cause roads, bridges and