The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-09

the mederns in agriculture as in the mechan-
ic arts, yet we learn that there were thou
sands, who, from having no land, were una
BILE to subsist upon the productions of their
own industry, and being unprovided with
capital, and too proud to labor, were forced
to borrow, without the ability to repay, and
were continually demanding that equal di-
vision OF property which was alike imprac-
slcable and contrary to all the rules OF a
Just and equitable state of society. With a
view to stiHe their discontents, the leading
men of the states were obliged to engage
them in warlike enterprises, that in the in
te!vals of peace they might be enabled to
subsist on the spoils OF the enemy, or on
their own private means, which they might
have acquired in their profession of arms,
and which was but the spoils of the enemy,
at last, since they were generally paid off
with the proceeds arising from their expedi-
tons. We conclude therefore, that the
lack Of capital was one of the primary caus-
es of the civil disorder and discord which so
and kept them in continual war, and opened
the door for the am biton of Marius, Sylla.
Pompey, Cesar, Anthony and Octavius, and
which finally reduced the whole Roman
Peep lie to the condition OF mere sla yes, and
made them the mere attendants upon the
court OF Caigula, a Heliogabulus, or some
such monster in human form, of equal enor-
nifty, whose grand condition of empire, was
the subsistence of the objects of his atrocious
tyranny. Wherever industry and capital
made a home, there ambitious and unprinci-
pied leaders led their minnions, and civiliza-
ton and the industrial pursuits became the
prey Of ayarice and barbarism,
and thus was Rome, the proud mistress of
the world, and Greece, the land of Poetry
and eloquence, reduced.
Thus for want of capital or rather of its
proper distribution, was two of the proudest
nations OF ancient times.almost wiped from
the face of natare, and left to exist only on
the page Of history.
Europe, in the middle ages, presented but
revival Of the earlier scenes of Grecian
history. Each great land holder was sur.
rounded by horde OF vassals or clients who
not being possessed of the necessary means of
the industrial resources them
selves, were perlorce compelled to look to
the land-holder, and ever ready to follow
him in any undertaking which he might
propose, whether of civil broils OF foreign
warfare. Without undertaking to explain
the great questions of political economy
involved, or to delineate the causes which
have aided in the progress Of the industrial
pursuits, or of the distribution of wealth.
we will simply state that industry has now
become the means Of subsistence to the bulk
OF the inhabitants of the globe, and is nurs-
ed and supported by the capital accumulat-
ed by its own exertions. Nations can now
support themselves upon their own internal
resources,a governments derive from their
subjects the wherewithal to grease their
cumberous wheels. The increasing pros
perity of commerce and manufactur has ell
evated the civilized nation in the scale of
and the aims, ends, and objects
of war has been changed from the spoilatior
and destruction of the sources of wealth, to
their protection, and quiet and exclusive
possession. For the last two centuries, where
war has not been made to crafty the vanity
of nation or monarch, the bone Of con-
tention has either been colonial sovereignty,
or commercial monopoly. Instead of con-
test between horde of hungry barbarians
on one side, and their more industrious and
wealthy neighbors on the other, it has been
a contest between civilized nations, wherein
the victor has shown the greatest anxiety to
preserve the industrial resources of the con
quered territory. The present preponder-
ance of industry and civilized habits among
the masses of mankind excludes all probabil-
ity of recurrence of such scenes as charac-
terized the invasion OF Greece by the Turks;
and with them expired all future efforts of
barbarism to prey upon the industry and
wealth Of civilization; indeed, the improve.
ment of military science destroys all fear of
such recurrence.
The wide diffusion of the principles of
political economy have taught mankind that
the sacrifice of their lives in contest for
the acquisition and retention of domain, or
commercial monopoly, is vain pursuit,
and will not be suffered by the law of nations.
Mankind has learned that internal produc-
ton is the proper object of solicitude, and
is best to be promoted by political tranquil
ty. They have discovered that the prosper
ity of nations hang no longer upon the pre-
carious tenure of political pre-eminence, but
upon the relative degree of information and
intelligence. Public funetionaries are more
and more dependent upon the productive
classes to whom thew must look for sunplias