Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-12-05


with justice pronounced to be the corollary
OF the Corn Laws. The landed interest,
by its course Of unequal legislation, by its
selfish and grasping policy pursued for
centuries, has at length broug ht about a
reaction which vindicates the almost for
gotten brotherhood Of man, and shows that
the claims Of justice and humanity cannot
be long disregarded with impunity. By
endeavoring to grasp larger portion Of
the produce of industry than that of right
belonging to them the landed proprietors
OF England have brought upon themselves
the burden OF sustaining the laborers whom
they have robbed-a burden, SAYS the
Westminster Review, which they cannot
now shake off, which is daily increasing,
and the ultimate weight Of which no pro-
phet can foresee.
The Westminster, in its last number,
devotes an article Of some length to the
condition Of the laboring classes in England.
The spectacle which is exhibited by the
wretched situation of such mass of peo-
pie in country Boosting Of its advanced
civilization, gives occasion for many re-
Elections upon the system Of government
and the social arrangements, the operation
OF which results in such state OF thugs
To save multitudes from actual starva-
ton, the Poor Laws were established; and
now the consequences Of unequal legisla-
ton fall back upon the class at whose hands
the people Of England have suffered so
much injustice. Wrapped up in their ex-
elusive interests and Indifferent to the veal
or wo Of the humber classes, the British
ars,ocracv now find that if their sympathies
cannot be touched, their pockets must an
swer for it. Every increase Of suffe ring
among the laboring population, is felt by an
increase Of the poor rates, and thus huma-
nifty is retaliating for the wrongs done to
her natural claims. The unity Of society
that oneness which makes the body poll
tic an integer, SO that one part cannot suf-
fer without affecting the other parts-wil
demonstrate itself sooner or later in any
and every form Of organization in which
government may be cast.
The principle upon which the Poor Law
system is founded, is by some declared to
be the natural right Of the poor man to
maintenance out of the land which gave
him birth. The Westminster rejects this
principle, and places The system on better
ground. 1t maintains that the claim which
every laborer has to be supported by the
land, is based upon those enactments Of his
landlord which incapacita,e him from sup
porting himself. 1t is right not abstract
and Inherent, but right founded upon a
previous wrong-precisely as right to
redress follows from an injury inflicted
"a people TO whom suitable instruction had
given the full possession Of their natural
capacities" says the Review, sand who
were left free to exercise their industry
in the manner they deemed most profitable,
would have no shadow Of a title to main
tenance out of the industry Of others."-
This is undoubtedly the right view of the
subject
The only remedies for the evils of an
increasing population, under the present
circumstances Of affairs in England, are
declared to be the extension of manufactur-
ing industry, or vigorous and systematic
colonization. 1t is maintained that if the
field OF employment only remain as it is
without extension, but also without curtail-
mcnt-,he increase Of population, 100000
annually, must be supported in unproduc-
tiveness by the capital or industry Of Others
Leaving out Of view the present burden Of
the poor rates, the inference follows that
unless the field of employment can be
speedily and vastly extended-the next
year, and each succeeding year, will call
upon the proprielors Of the country for an
unproductive additional subscription Of
nearly two millions and half sterling.
Such is the gloomy aspect Of things in
England! The greatness, grandeur and
opulence Of that huge empire stand upon
a foundation which seems almos: ready to
break asunder. If shock should come to
precipitate existing institutions, and bring
down the vast superstructure Of arisiocrat.
cal power which has been for ages the de-
pository of British sovreignty-sucha com
mingling Of elements would take place as
was never seen save in the chaos of the
French Revolution. Perhaps the present
century may witness such an event; and
witness, too, the re-moulding of British in
st,utions in new combinations, and new
forms better adapted TO the progress Of
civilization, and to the true enjoyment Of
freedom.