Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-04-26
ous scarcely less absurd. Banking

customs scarcely less aDsuIu' DuuhIug |
is another amusement which governments
play at; and for this game the people have
to pay the piper more than once. Some
simpler con,rivance is loudly called for
here. But il is too wide subject to be
now discussed. | may however be allow
ed to say that If no safe voluntary associa-
ton can be con,.ived for all the honest
banking that is required, neither does the
present system afford greater degree Of
security than obtains in ordinary transact
ions amongst men, in which no specific
government regulation interferes.
The postage Of letters and papers is
made a national business, end very great
convenience, nay luxury, tits. But there
is no more necessity 10 take this occupa-
ton out Of individual hands than that of
transmitting large pOrcels,or the coaching,
o(passengers. Why does not the govern.
ment force all the freightage and passage
in the state into its own hards2 Mems
lives and bodies are at least as important
as education and letters; yet we are left to
the care OF the stage driver without other
guardianship than character. We know
that private adventures would post for US at
cheaper rate, for the government derives
a considerable surplus revenue although
they pay their sorters and clerks more
highly, because more by favoritism, than
Individuals would il exposed to competi-
ton. Furthermore, we know that such
adventures would serve US quicker, for
they do so now. expediting their despatch
es with such CELEBRITY as to excel the gov
eminent. In idel:ty and trustworlhiness
also believe private Spectators do and
ever would, eclipse the government whose
servants often purloin money letters for
persons have to earn and TO maintain a
reputation, about which governments ex-
listing by force are much less regardful.-
Iflegisators are disposed to try how un.
important they are to US let them give up
the post Office, and Harnden will convince
them.
Most Of these particulars are however
Of on entirely national character. They
pertain to the state in respect TO lis own
internal affairs, and may therefore be al
lowed 10 be comparatively easy Of volun-
tary arrangement, as the business confined
TO the town is still easier Of enforced set.
element. But we now come 10 the more
difficult question OF International harmony
and the method of intercourse with the
whole world. Commerce is the sole pur-
pose to be served in this intercourse so far
as the state is concerned. Objects Of a
moral character being out Of its reach and
cognizance. say commerce seems TO oe
really the sole purpose in foreign commu.
nica,ions; for he maintenance Of peace OF
the carrying on OF war are subordinate 10
commerce. So lorg as people imagine
that il is advantageous for them to carry
on trade some regulations seem to be
needed. What are they2 First we have
the custom house. Some one, it will be
said, must collect the duties; and snug.
Cling must be prevented But surely all
this parade Of difficulty may be at once
got over by having no custom house, and
no tariff 20 maintain. Why should not a
ship be as free to bring her freight o
goods 10 the wharf and unload withou
molesiaIion, as lradesman is 10 enter any
town and open store2 Why raise {
revenue from the goods Of one and no
from those Of the otherl To which j
will be replied one IS native and the oIhe
foreign. Which is poor answer, for tht
buyer in both cases is native citizen
and as consumer he, and not the seller
pays the tax. II seems nightly absurc
70 subject men to hindering forms ant
rules who come TO Us with ship loads Q
wealth. If commerce is good, why shackl'
i.2 Ifbad. why expend so much to main
tain it2 For all these paraphernalia Q
state. the Governor, the President the am
bassador, the Consul, and the many more
are costly articles. Il was only for th
purpose Of making money by this cour
try that England wished to keep it a sui
juga,ed colony; just as that power has II
Gently been numbering the Chinese
Our arms were. used for political and pc
.on.I c.au1o the British wanted onl