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Show 18 INTRODUCTION. ,vho are the priucjpal advisers of thern, and have the greatest influence in their enactment; and if they have not leisure for such researches themselves, they should not be unvvilling, under the guidance of a sound discretion, to n1ake use of the advantages 'vhich may be afforded by the leisure of others. 1~hey ,,vill not indeed be justified in taking any decided steps, if they do not then1selves see, or at least think they see, the way they are going; but they n1ay be fairly expected to 1nake use of all the lights \vhich are best calculated to illun1ine their way, and enable then1 to reach the object '¥hich they have in vie\v. It n1ay perhaps be thought that, if the great principle so ably n1aintainecl by Adan1 Sn1ith be true, nan1ely, that the best "ray of advancing a people towTards vvealth and prosperity is not to interfere " ' i th then1, the business of govcrntnent, in tnatters relating to political econo1ny, n1ust be 1nost sitnple and easy. But it is to be recollected, in the first place, that there is a class of duties connected ·vlith these subjects, which, it is universally ackno\v leclged, belongs to the Sovereign ; and though the line appears. to be dra \Vn vvith· tolerable precision, 'vhen it is considered generally; yet \Vhen 've colne to particulars, doubts may arise, and certainly in n1any instances have arisen, as to the subjects to be included in this ,classification. To what extent education and the support of the poor should be public concerns? What share the Governtnent should take in the construction and n1aintenance of roads, INTRODUCTION .. 19 canals, public docks? What course it should adopt with regard to colonization and emigration, and in the support of forts and establisl1ments in foreign countries? On all these questions, and n1any others, there may be differences of opinion ; and on all these questions the sovereign and his ministers are called upon to decide. Secondly, every actual government has to administer a body of laws relating to agriculture, manufactures, and cotnmerce, which \Vas formed at a period comparatively unenlightened, and many of "vhich, therefore, it n1ust be desirable to repeal: but to see fully the a1noun t of partial evil arising fro1n present change, and the extent of general good to be effected by it, so as to \va·n·ant active interference, requires no inconsiderable share of kno\vledge and judgn1ent; 'vhile to retnain inactive under such circutnstances, can only be justified by a conviction, founded on the best grounds, that in any specific change conten1plated, taken in all its consequences, the balance of evil \Vill preponderate. Thirdly, there is one cause in every state ~,·hich absolutely impels the government to action, and puts an end to the possibility of letting. things alone. rrhis is the necessity of taxation; and as taxes cannot, in the nature of things, be itnposed 'vithout interfering \Vith individual industry and wealth, it becomes a n1atter of the very highest in1portance to know ho~r they may take place with the least possible prejudice to the prosperity of the state, and the happiness of individuals. c~ |