Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-22
PUBLIC CHARITY.

Charity Ia the tax which capital and skill levy from
the hard earnings of the industrious poor to give to
the weak the unfortunate, and too often to the idle
and criminal poor. Capital creates and produces
thing. Skill like that of the artist, the professional
man and the tradesman exchanges little of its light
labor for vast deal of the hard labor of the gno-
rant and poor. Capital gives nothing to labor skill
very little lnhanding over a part of the tax which
they levy from mertorious class Of the poor to one,
in the aggregate, less mertorious they often aggra
vate the evils, which they are endeavoring to reme-
dy. We admire the spirit that prompts them, but
deplore tn It state of society which defeats their be
nevolent purposes. II they could control the con-
duct the labor and the expenditure of the ects of
their bounty, their charity need never be misplaced.
man is never afraid that in giving to his negroes,
he will nure their condition. for he controls their
penditure, their conduct and their labor. Would.
be good people try to protect, take care of and pro-
vide for the weak, the unornate, the idle, and
the criminal without abridging their liberties The
thing impossible, and contrary to all legal anao-
gies and human practices They who are dependent
must submit to he controlled. Negro slavery is no
fit institution for tho government of white lneu hut
where there are no negroes, It will be found that more
OF government is required. Government ceases in
such society, just where it should begin. The poor
and ignorant heads of families, who most need con
troll left to govern themselves and tyraunise over
wives and children without any control whatever for
public opinion has no influence on them.
No one values more highly thnn We do the nvio
liability and sounduess OF the family. But to make
it sacred, you must first make it pure. The head of
il should be competent To exercise the power with
which nature religion and law clothe him. Every
body is not tit 10 be King, however small hs domin-
ions and few his subjects. Wives and children com
pose large minority Of human kind and the poli;i
cal institutions which provide protection safe
guard for them, have done little 10 promote human
| happiness and we'll being. Society is composed oi
families and ii the parts be rotten, the whole unot
be sound Where family tyranny and nisrule pre-.
vail, the country ia badly and tyrannically governed
no matter what its political forms and constitution
The North proclams every day that such tyranny
and msrule do prevail to an intolerable excess
Complaint the subiect is very rarely heard at the
South. The masters check and contro! the desIosn
OF negro husbands and fathers, and white men, rich
and poor are too proud to maitreat women aud chill
dren. Though there be an illiierae class with Us
| there Is no utUHstu VI
Pride OF place elcvues all OF the whites for the poor
est of them thar the social position Of the negro iS
vastly below theirs There il, and ever will be, n
distinct class in free s"ciey that does not exist in
slave society. This is the class which charity and
philanthropy are vainy heap!ug their iavors-,he
class that oppresses wives and children, and fills
poor houses and jails.
As Illustrating position. we copy the following
interesting facts aud views of the New York Mirror
A MILLION AND A HALF OF CHARITY.
| We notice by the reports OF what are termed The
| Religious Societies. which about to hold theii
annual Qualifications in this city, that during the pas
year over Sixteen Hundred thousand Dollars have
been collected BY the various associations for con
vcrlng the Eeathen, abulishing slavery, spreading
the gospel, distributing tract- ameorating the jews
| healing rotten morals, &c, &c. Now, II all this vast
sum- sucked from the religlUusy charitable i'll sinal
dribeis drawn from the pockets oi the p"rsly rs
tentatious 10 larger Jumps has really been hrr"pr'h
ted To the aevlation ui human want suffering and sin
| it would be matter Of public rejoicing and com
| rneudatiun But fear that large per centage o
| this magnificent collection, has been expended
| upon rents salaries mileage, &C., &c, of the sleek
and complacen oticias-the self-consti,uted beggar
| and amoners of the charities OF the community ant
that but small portion OF the funds reported has eve
reached the months ui the hungry the backs OF th'
uuked, or the wounds aud bruises Ut the dying. lea
rharty-the charity urged by Jesus Christ. begins
huue-exends trst to the Heediest next ncighbOr
and then widens means allow, 10 the wants aud lie
cessities Of those who appeal 10 eyes. as well a
to our hearts, as the bleeding wounds of the way-sd'
sufferer appealed 10 the passing Samaritan.