Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-05-17
May II. 1s4s.

ureviously shown how little the government
does, or can do, for either, even when II is
most disposed 10 be serviceable and in this
State, the government is put so much upon
i, good behavior that believe, poor thing.
i does its best. As to stately and tran
guilty" in an enlarged sense, believe they
are best attained BY going away as far as
possible from human governments. In both
mental and physical proximity, this is true.
The mind Of the man who has given up all
wish to intermeddle in politics, is much
more tranquil than that Of the inexperienc-
ed deluded youth, who looks with silly anx-
ietY to become the fraction Of lawgiyer.-
Property in the country is much safer than
10 towns. In the capitals, under the very
eyes OF government itself, robbery and even
murder is more common in the same
amount of rural population; and no device
Of government, save that Of its own annihi-
laiion, seems capable Of mending the mat
ter. At present, al all events, safety and
tranquility" are attainable on the old geo.
uetrcal principle Of inverse ratio, and are
greatest when we are farthest from the seat
Ofgovernmeut
Il is, believe, a universal perception, that
moderate sized or small States are best cal
culaled for the management Of their own af
fairs. The Union of North America is con-
s,rucied somewhat on this idea, which, in
con,radistinction 10 that Of vast cenlraliZ
alon, is no doubt just one. BY reason of
local knowledge, immediate interest, prompt
communication and final decision close at
hand, tie government /. much more easily
and bene6cently managed, than if every re-
port had TO travel from Bangor TO Washing
ton, or from New Orleans 10 the same cen
ire, before decision could be had. The
safety and tranquility" Of the country
would not. be worth much under such sys-
tenn. Why not, then, carry out this princi-
pie liule lurIher7 Let the divisions be
sill smaller, by allowing every county TO
provide all its own local supplies, that il
.
necessity for county legislation be abridged
by each town, clearing up its own chips to
the utmost practicable extent but, beyond
this, let II be thrown upon every family TO
legislate wisely and virluously in aud for
itself. To that complexion il must come
At last" Public opinion rules at last, and
why not rule at 6rst7 We might, then
save all this vast expenditure, aud this I'M
wemly apparatus. The acknowledged vices
Ofgovernment would be attenuated to their
smallest amount. The moral nuisance Of
urge cities, the creation altogether Of the
PRESENT plan Of government, and the prolific
bot beds Of vice, crime, and misery, would
dwindle to more wholesome capacity, and
their inhabitants would be disseminated over
The land, blessing and an ornament 10 their
country, the emblems, at least, Of something
nearer to safety and tranquility" than they
how are.
A fact showing how FAR the people, even
10 this favored land, are indebted TO the gov
menls, is now in current report The Low
I'll manufacturers, finding a resistance TO re
dlced wages on the part Of their operatives
are reported to have sent TO Great Bri!air
for supply OF their poor factory hands, whC
will be glad to work at the reduced rates
offered. You will perceive that such an oc
currence would be impossible under vol
uuary, or real self-government, which hac
10 castom- house and no high tariff to main
nln, made for the very purpose Of proppin2
up these destructive factories. The circle
dmisdoing, so evident 10 old England, il
nus attaining completion in New Englan
The manufacture the joint stock compaD
les, the wealthy, engen1er the government
ne government generates taxation, taxation
q" It's custom house and high tariff, which
Hselurn foster the factories by which the
wealthy become weather., and the poo
Ncrer Thus, as of old, and in distant
MODERN nations, lhe government itself be
enes the great instrument in producing
aanger and agitation" under the pretenct
uaiding the peoples safety and tranquil
v" These, sir, are the actualilies Of oul
l'eseni sV siem, and not theoreiie specuia
Ions OF
Your sincere friend. c. L.
Concord, Mass. May 4, 1sl3.