For the MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE.
Undigested Ideas on various Cases.
Section first.
THE volitions of man being so innumerable and diverse, it is more than wonderful
how societies form and continue long in any tolerable order; than that they
should convulse, break and forget their first principles. The late insurrection
in the western counties was attended with a greater panic than wonder: There
was it seems a promiscuous assemblage of many contrary motives blending themselves
together; be that as it may, all plead virtue with equal dogmaticism. Messrs.
Observator and Examiner have entered the lists, proclaimed war, drew their literate
swords, but to what purpose? Pity it is they were not content at home, or appeared
abroad in better humour. Our virtuous assembly willing to compromise matters
in favour of the people, (thanks to Heaven) made boards, &c. a tender, glorious
act! We hope it will not be repealed as yet!* one objection assigned against
the justness of the act, is, that creditors cannot so well pay their taxes in
coin, partial objection! for creditors are the only men who command money; and
few have trusted so much but they can trust more. Again, were they allowed to
sue for cash, the cost would render the debtors, if not the community itself,
more unable to pay taxes at all.
Our assembly knows that murmurings will happen with some, and cannot be avoided.
It would be a novelty, if not a monster, to have a government against which
there was no complaints at all.
(To be continued from time to time.)
*Our obscurity makes it uncertain to us whether the act is run out or repealed. |