Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-11-27
Items of Intelligence
REFORM IN F\GI ANN

| We will begin with the lower classes To tho qua,
tion wha is the adequate remedy for their evils (? w
answer, that there is none, none either in any reforms
of our institutions in any changes in the
TAXATION until thew learn to exercise provden habits
and TO contract prudent marriages- they will learI
to put by when the trade prosperous. portion OF he
earnings for DAYS of depression and 10 delay marriage
until they indulge reasonable expectation Of
supporting family. Great Is unquesonably the dis
which prevails through large portions OF the coun
try is equally unquestionable that there thousand,
of those that feel it who have times been in the receipt
OF wages, which, with economy, would have enabled
them To put by something meet the severity OF thlS
stormy day. and it is equally true at this moment amidst
all our commercial distress there thousands in the
weekly receipt of more than they need spend and who
yet spend every tarthng Of it the moment It IS paid
Though we admit that in such times as have recently
passed over there have been great distress In
spite oil the most provdent habits, yet the more general
prevalence OF such habits would have prevented 50 sud
den an accumulation Of misery. and made all the dtier
ence between manageable evil and almost beyond
remedy Still more Important is the Pcnd point 10 which
we have adveried and until the working classes be
induced greater discretion and self control IN
the matter of marriage we do think will be impossible
to give them efeclua aid. they beyond the reach
OF human craftsmanship. Whatever may be thought of
the doctrine of tile abstract tendency Of population IL in
crease in ratio dspoportOned the Of subsIst
ence,-a doctrine which we have occasion here to
enter,-all men will practically admit that miracles
10 be expected support hose who have rushed into
marriage without reasonable prospect Of meeting the
exlgences of family Man nable creature and
that great social union is to formed with regard to
prudence supernatural help is promised will be af-
torded to him who neglects it. lhe lower animals IN
crease too FAST the remedy is easy,-lhey are knock
ed on the head But drec nfancide is likely be
in fashion among Us. The correction indeed will
from increased pressure, later; and is coming
now, the registry Of marriages will SHOW Bot il
~ ter a
sautary dread of it; from famine aud peatence. not from
he opera ion OF prudence aud self control, which
lone produce easy because gradual, adjustment
The great laws which govern the universe here, in
many other cases, are, in their primary design. moral
and not physical. The latter principle come into play
only to correct avenge mans neglect Of The forner
TO reclaim him 10 wls1Jm 10 chasse him for his fol
iy.
The dictates Of prudence WILL Of course vary with the
conditions OF different aces and countries; and in state
OF high cultivation like ours must often accept
the greater advantages Of such condition. lmpen-
saon for delaying the period of niriage, if he would
preserve his status in sorety. This is impossible les
son, though often an unwelcome one. 1t IS which
Is frequently practlsed by the middle classes. who in
thousands OF instances postpone marriage for one, two
three, hive years, and sometimes for longer periods
rather than sink lower level in society," or cucumber
themselves with family they cannot hope to rear, eX-
cept to heritage of misery Such instances of abstl-
hence In the lower classes (whee it is still more eeded)
of the rarest pcs sble occurrence.
Yet,untll such maXims generally acted upon
no efectua remedy will meet the ofour redundant
population. The great problem of the labor market.
though there circumstances hch may compIcate it
at different periods, is, in regard to the main elements
which must determine it,, as clear any in the
'h ,n range of political economy if not clearer. In spite
OF all the theories Of oil tho Louis Rlanrs and Cadets that
ever lived the one thing which will forever regulate the
state of that market is relation between the demand
and the supply. If there ten who want employ
men land there employment only for four five, the ten
must inevitably In the struggle for subsistence subject
each other 10 the competitor and their wages
Will be low. lfthere are five only who ask employ
ment, and the demand is for ten the five will subject
then employer to like competition; and their wages
will be high. " hatever Temporary elements may enler
into the problem and transenty affect the rate of wages,
this is the element which, as long human nature
remains the amewil decide the relation of the working
classes to their employers; and in the statement above
given brief and simple it is, the whole question of the
condition of the working classes is virtually involved
We admit indeed That having already got into false po-
sition, and having by the neglect of prudence given birth
TO larger population than know how employ, ex-
traordlnary remedies may be temporarily required and
among the rest greater facilities to Emigration-a sub
ec which has lately, and Justly claimed large share
of public attention. -Edinbwgh Repie,c