16
We cannot shut our eyes on the discontent of
that numerous body of men who till the land and
create the best source of our national wealth and
prosperity. Policy, as well as benevolence re-
quires this investigation ; and I feel myself much
assisted and strengthened in this inquiry, by the
reports and opinions given by some of the wisest
and most benevolent men of the present age,
whom, if I at all differed in opinion with them,
I should not have the presumption to contradict.
The benevolence and liberality of this country
have for many years past evinced an anxious
desire to open the book of knowledge to the
lower ranks of society. Our efforts have suc-
ceeded. Not only religious instruction, the first
of all objects in a Christian Country, has been
more generally extended, but information of every
sort has been more widely diffused. If know-
ledge is power, which cannot be denied, that
power is no longer exclusively possessed by the
few. The poor have not only been enabled to
read, but to think and to reflect. I therefore
ask, whether it can be a matter of surprise if
they should put to themselves two questions ?
First, whether their situation has been amelio-
rated, their comforts increased, and their cir-
cumstances improved, in the same proportion as
their superiors have been benefitted? Secondly,
whether they have gained or lost by the many