Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-05-13
For the Vermont Phnpix.

Messrs Editors,--In this age of acknowledge
ed and unrestraned right of free discussion, |
propose to submit few remarks on subject
which has been much agtated throughout the
country; not however with the expectation of
bringing forth a lucid argument, but to elicit
the views Of others whose habits of life, extern
sive reading and acquaintance with the princi-
Piles Of our government eminently qualify them
to instruct those whose sphere Of life is limited
to few paternal acres,'' and consequently
their acquired abilities arc generally in n cor
responding ratio.
Our government is undcniaby established
upon the immutabe principles of equal right
and justice, and for the benefit of every indi-
vidual thereof Unfortunately: and in no sense
for the superior benefit of any privileged order
whatever. The doctrine Of "equal rights ia
not to he restricted merely to the exercise of
the "elective franchise" but it regulates and
controls TO Il certain extent the affairs of men
in whatever situation of life they may be pla-
ced, provided the business in which they are
engaged is honorable and praseworthy. Hence
I would say that any and all restrictions calcu-
/ lated TO bcstow the benefits resulting from
trade, or otherwise producing wealth, upon any
individuals, singly or collectively, to the exclu-
sion Of others, should be condemned aud repu-
dated. No laws should be enacted in free
government TO give 10 one or more citizens
rights and privileges TO the exclusion of others;
nor to confer benefits on any class Of men in
which all may not participate. Laws enacted
for the express protection Of one party and not
for all parties are an aggression upon our equal
rights ms citizens Of free government, a viola
ton of our constitutional charter, and nothing
more or less than acts of downright monopoly,
to which every friend Of Liberty & Equality
should be strenuously opposed. Therefore lc-
gislation should ever maintain free COMPETE
ton the avenues to wealth should be alike
open to all; no exclusive privileges should be
granted that have tendency TO "build up
lordships at the expense of the many" or PAM
per the purse-proud nabob, whose only god is
his "wide domain and hills Of gold.Y
do not mean to be understood as condem-
ming all corporations; for there are those oil
public benefit and utility; such as corporation.
Of towns, villages and cities; and in some in.
: stances, perhaps, corporations for roads ant
bridges. But the latter should be like CANCELS
visits, few and far between" That such case
go to sanction all monopolies of the presen
day deny in toto. Indeed the exceptions
have named go to establish the correctness o
the rulc-"ercepiio probai reguium."
:. In the early settlement Of our country mucl
: inconvenience was encountered by reason of tn
insulliciency of roads, or rather the want Of an.
/. roads TO facilitate the intercourse of the inhabi
tants, the transportation OF goods, SC. and III
people comparatively poor; then | will gran
that corporations for building roads and bridge
were in many cases necessary, and with niue
= show of justice readily granted--and granite
IL too without any particular selfish views; an
probably were often taken through the persui
u sion of friends and the public generally. TIL
j. inordnate desire of wealth which is noio III
l. "ruling passion strong in DEATH" had not the
W seized upon man, and vitiated aud corrupte
TX his whole frame and moral sentiment. II
u thought of no means of acquiring wealth vi
y less coupled with his own energy, put forth
u laborious habits of toll and industry. Seldo
ST if ever in those days of stern and rigid Writ
Us did il enter into the calculations of men To pr
y" cure incorporative acts of legislation for Il
81 sole purpose Of accumulating wealth witho
sc the aid of labor and industry, and at the e
ef pense of the common peope-the farmers
us But the scenes Of the drama have change
Ell the world is not SO rifle with virtuous prin'
'o pies as in the s'days of the pilgrims;" men nc
De- stoop to mean subterfuges to obtain their enc
We particularly where GOLD is in the perspectis
III interpretations granted at the present peri
zee are doled out to the "iavored few," regardl'
'h' of nscquences-regardess OF those consul
1T tional privileges which give freedom OF speec
M freedom of will and freedom of action to all
cE discriminatory. II is a miserable and selfish
icy gislation that authorizes one man, or body
men. to lord it over their equally respecta
r,o neighbors and say, thus far shalt thou go a
ed. no farther
W. That we have throughout the country ma
l'' chartered monopolies under the weight OF VIII
~, the people are literally grooming, is undenia
~, true; and many of them are merely nusanc
;"' and considered by those not concerned in
~. avails thereof, as of a most loathsome and I
vs. qusting character. They are an incubus VI
, community from which the people most he
tily pray deliverance. They are not like
horse-eech which, when it has gorged il
q or on the blood of its victim nigh unto buTsti
&c will let go its hold; but they are fixed, im
han vable, interminabe; Mt least so the owner
otcs them would fan make the community BELT
Now would ask with all due respect to Il
concerned is il right, is it Just, is il genera