Sin Nombre

Under the specious pretext of effecting “the happiness of the whole community,” nearly all the wrongs and intrusions of government have been carried through. … Indeed, sensible men have long seen that “the best government is that which governs least.” And we are surprised that the spirit of this maxim is not oftener and closer to the hearts of our domestic leaders.

A recognized doctrine that the people are to be governed by some abstract power, apart from themselves, has not, even at this day in this country, lost its hold—nor that to any thing more than the government must the said people look for their well-doing and the prosperity of the state… this dogma is particularly inconvenient; because it makes a perpetual and fierce strife between those of opposing views, to get their notions and doctrines realized in the laws. … In plain truth, he wrote, “the people expect too much of the government.” Under a proper organization (and even to a great extent as things are), the wealth and happiness of the citizens could hardly be touched by the government—could neither be retarded nor advanced. Men must be “masters of themselves,” and not look to Presidents and legislative bodies for aid.