The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-03-04

many Of them not over ton years old. They are
required to work from ii to l6 hours day, aud
notwithstanding this nnceaSing toll, earn Gardl,
enough to furnish them the cOarsest food and
clothing. If sickness or accident render them
unable 10 work. their HUMANE EMPLOYERS turn
them adrli 10 sinrye or seek refuge in their mis-
cradle work houses, Yes, sir, Notwithstanding the
boosted glory of British Institutions no civilized
nation upon The face OF the earth contains us much
wretchcdness or human suffering. The London
Quarterly Review estimates the number of pau
pers IN England ut ONE SIXTH of the population
and this no doubt is far below the mark. Al
least one third of her population receive aid from
the panper fund during the course Of the ycar.--
Her cities are filled with beggars, and thousands
are perishimg for the want of bread, and yet the
lordiy manufacturer, or the wealthy land holder is
roting in spIendor! England paid f20, 900, OO0
for the freedom OF the slaves in her colonies but
she thereby increased her national debt, aud i'm
posed additional burdens upon people already
taxed almost to starvation Her phiIanthropic spirit
shook the manacles from 500, 900 negroes, only TO
transfer those chains, and rivet them firmly upon
the bodies of her lahoring men. undertake to
say, that the condition Of our slave population in
the United States is far preferable 10 that of the
operatives of England. They are worked less,
better clad better fed, and unlike the miserable
pooT Of that county, not turned out to die ofwan,
when misfortune renders them unable to work -
Sir, am no advocate Of slavery, either of the
body or mind. My ONLY object is to present, in as
few words ms possible, the actual condition Of our
fallow-men in that hoasted land, where ii is said
slavery is unknown, Do gentlemen propose to
huild up system in this glorious land of ours sim
liar to that which exists in England Is her poll
CIV the one which exces so much ofthe admiration
Of gentlemen Nou have ALREADY created mn
tonal debt--levy high protective tariff, which
will compel you TO increase the taxes upon the
neccssaries of life, build up, as the Secretary rec
ommcnds, n magnificent navy, increase Your en-
prndturcs to 40 millions per annum, and these
things will have been accomplished. rus, IN
God, Mr. Spe lker, that no such system will be f,s-
tened upon us, The American people have Ia much
OF that proud spirit OF Independence, that uncon-
queruhe love Of liberty which animated the blossoms
and nerved the arms of onr fathers, when shaking
OF the yoke Of colonial bondage, to become the
yasslls Of an American nobility. Under such sys-
TEN, YOU may succeed in building up splendid
government but Won will have an impoverished
people. All may be great and magnificent with
ont, bu. wret"hcdneS' and misery will stalk abroad
unmasked within. Let vour legislation be found
ed upon principles Of insce--Ievy no taxes upon
ono portion for the benefit of nnolher-gvc equal
profession to all classes ofindnslry priv
icges TO nome and you will have placed this repnh-
liran government upon an lmHovabe Inund,tIOn--
foundation capable Of sustaining it long al'er the
rotten lespolism and corrupt monarrhins oftho old
world shall have tottereA and crundled to the dust