登陆注册
15448400000004

第4章 PREFACE.(4)

The obvious remedy is to remove those whose labour has ceased to be profitable, to a country that will afford room fortheir exertions. Few inventions, during the present century, have conferred greater benefits on the labouring classes thanthat of the power-loom. By diminishing the expense of clothing, it has been a source, not merely of comfort, but of healthand longevity. But its proximate effect was to spread ruin among the hand-weavers; to reduce almost all of them to a meresubsistence, and many to the most abject want. Ever since its introduction, thousands have been pining away under misery,not alleviated even by hope; with no rational expectation, but that the ensuing year would be more calamitous than thepassing one: and this without fault, without even improvidence.' If it had been thought that the removal of a fellow-creaturefrom misery to happiness is worth ?2, they might now have formed a flourishing settlement in British America.

The hostility of many, coupled with the indifference of almost all others, to any systematic plan of emigration, is a groundfor regret and alarm, considered not only as a cause, but as a symptom. It is a lamentable proof of ignorance as to the realstate of .the country, or of carelessness as to its welfare, or of a determination to make no sacrifice for its relief.

We are told that emigration would be expensive, and again we are told that the vacuum would be filled up.

It is true, that to remove a million of persons might, perhaps, cost ?2,000,000 sterling; that is to say, might cost as muchas the direct expenditure of three months war; and that an expenditure of ?2,000,000 sterling is an evil. But in the firstplace, it has been demonstrated (2)(2. See Mr. Wilmot Horton's ' Causes and Remedies of Pauperism,' fourth series.

Hie etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris Ora Dei jussu non unquam credita Teucris.) that the expense of keeping paupers at home is far greater than that of their removal. Itmay be necessary to repeat, though it has often been remarked before, that the relief is afforded not only to thoseindividuals who emigrate, but to the much greater number who remain. If there are 450 labourers in a district whichrequires the full employment, and affords the full subsistence of only 400, all, or nearly all, will be in distress, and by theemigration of fifty all will be relieved. And, in the second place, even if the balance of expense were on the side ofremoving a portion of our surplus population, is no expense beyond that of their mere keep to be feared from theirpresence? If the present insurrection spread (and it will spread if the peasantry are told, as. practically they have been told,that for riot and rebellion three days' imprisonment is the punishment, and a rise of wages the reward ); if the ravage of thecountry reacts, as it will react, on the towns; if, when trade begins to languish, the master manufacturers, according to theirlate practice, dismiss their workmen, and the manufacturing workmen, in their turn, destroy machinery; if the foundations,not merely of our wealth, but of our existence, are thus impaired, will twelve millions, or twenty millions, or even ahundred millions sterling represent the loss?

同类推荐
  • 歙砚说辨歙石说

    歙砚说辨歙石说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 朱子年谱考异

    朱子年谱考异

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 绣云阁

    绣云阁

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 明伦汇编交谊典主司门生部

    明伦汇编交谊典主司门生部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 琴赋

    琴赋

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 妖灵鬼道

    妖灵鬼道

    一个是罗马教会的天才,一个是入道惊才艳绝的少年,前者为了一个不知名的任务,后者仅仅是为了给妹妹筹钱,完全没有交集的两个人却在错综复杂的事件中相遇,这段冒险依旧吉凶未卜。
  • 巫道尸圣

    巫道尸圣

    罗喉魔主再次现世,引发大劫。大劫之后资源越发缺乏,仙魔两界征伐纷纷,无法魔皇在无奈之下打开了一条通往异界之路。
  • 天元域

    天元域

    这里没有强势巅峰的灵气,更没有变幻莫测的魔法,天元界,实力为尊,弱者连说话的份都没有。这里的人修炼的力量是:元气
  • 遇恩录

    遇恩录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 这只狐妖不靠谱

    这只狐妖不靠谱

    一个不小心没注意,竟然被一位狐妖附身了!肿么办?哎!只能凉拌了!咦?这个狼妖又是什么鬼?不带这样玩的,为什么只有爷这么倒霉……某人的身世迷雾重重,原本只是普通人的她,周身却有着妖才会有的灵气!(本书宗旨:高端大气上档次,狂拽炫酷叼霸天。简称:装逼。)读者群:523924516
  • 道德真经集注释文

    道德真经集注释文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 致命偷腥:言情

    致命偷腥:言情

    玩过偷情吗?如果有个美女这样对你说,你作何感想?会不会有一点点莫名的兴奋呢?如果美女接着说,有胆和我玩偷情吗?那你会不会兴奋得要晕过去呢?当然,前提是你是一个正当年壮的男人,而且又恰好单身。
  • 娱乐大主播

    娱乐大主播

    醉生梦死的大学生张鹏被一个残次品主播系统带入一个被重塑的世界,在坑爹系统的威逼利诱中成为了一个火速成长的传奇主播
  • 查理日记5:怪盗侠的魔术预告

    查理日记5:怪盗侠的魔术预告

    大英帝国皇家珠宝巡回展开幕前,一封预告函震惊罗伦市。充满传奇色彩、赫赫有名的怪盗F,再一次对警方发起华丽挑战——在开幕式当天,他将在万众瞩目之下,取走一颗价值连城的宝石!无巧不成书,作为海湾王国重要的皇室后裔——查理受邀参加开幕式。“神圣联盟”的小成员得知预告函一事,无不跃跃欲试,希冀一睹传说中的怪盗尊容!伴随着华丽的魔术表演, 所有人进入一级红色警戒状态,静候危险人物现身。然而,无论多么天衣无缝的部署,都阻止不了神出鬼没的怪盗F。宝石在众目睽睽之下凭空消失!他做到了!展馆封闭,嘉宾被困,小伙伴必须在规定的时间内, 从数百人之中找到宝石的盗窃者!
  • 科学发现与传奇故事(新编科技知识全书)

    科学发现与传奇故事(新编科技知识全书)

    19世纪前,在欧洲对当时拥有大量牛羊的牧场主来说,非常害怕一种被称作“恶魔”的疾病。这种传染病如果在牲畜中流行起来,成千上万的牛羊就会在几天的时间里统统死光。昨天的富翁,今天就会变成穷光蛋。