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Untitled Article
injustice , tyranny—these are all the children of the same parent , and naturally exist in the same person . By the operation of this system a class is perpetuated in the country , nurtured in the necessary indolence , and moral emasculation , of luxury . Encouraged b y the circumstances of their position , in self-importance , a love of ease and indulgence , and in a recklessness in the gratification of every appetite ; fortunate the few who can withstand
the evil influence of such a nursery : —who . denrived of evprv the evil influence of such a nursery ;—who , deprived of every powerful stimulus , and incentive to exertion , can be morally good , or politically honest . Yet to this very class , thus beset with evil influences , from the moment of their ' birth , are the higher share * of power confined . We know that power corrupts man , and that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven . How necessary then—by the culture and training of education —above all , by the wholesome tuition of a youth of industry and
exertion , and by every law and provision , which can possibly secure , or promote , the accomplishment of these essential preparatives—how needful , we say , to facilitate the power to resist these evil tendencies , and give birth and strength to the virtues which xn&y counteract them . We ask , is this the influence of the system and practice of hereditary wealth and power , as it exists
among the Aristocracy of England ? What is there in the accident of birth , which shall supply a corrective , nay a preventive to the evils and corruptions , which must naturally beset the mind and heart of tfye man born to power and wealth ? Where the talisman to destroy the poison daily presented to the opening mind in this one fact ;
—that the right of birth prevails over the right of merit ?—Of this conviction , —that power and influence is theirs , wherewith they may secure the gratification of every selfish wish , and maintain their own pre-eminence , not by desert , but by keeping down , the rest of mankind ? These are facts which thLs system presents , be it remembered , to the yet uncultured mind of one ,
who , in addition to the baneftil corruption of youthful luxury , is further assailed b y a host of dependent panderers , whose interest it is to foment each evil propensity , to foster pride , and contribute tp every means of self-indulgence . We nave carefully abstained from speaking of the actual evils of this gysteni , as realized in the existing character of the Aristocracy or the country , and we have done so from a hearty hatred of personality . We are far from saying that the tendency of the Primogenitive System is always thus practically developed . We are oursplvps aware of many high and honourable exceptionsbut we defy the most subtle effort of Tory casuistry , to disprove the active tendency to evil and corruption , inherent in undivided inheritance .
In addition to the production of incompetent legislation , we have yet to allude to one very vicious effect , which this practice pro 4 uces . The whole wealth of a family centring on the eldest
Untitled Article
350 ? he EviU of PrivtogemUve Inheritance .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1834, page 350, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2633/page/38/
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