420 GOVERNMENT, LAWS, [PART H. 



no ill-will on this account. A man is never 

 asked what religion he is of, or whether he be of 

 any religion at all. It is a matter that nobody 

 interferes in. What need, therefore, is thece 

 of an established Church. What need is there 

 of tithes? And, why should not that species 

 of property be taken for public use? That is 

 to say, as far as it has any thing to do with 

 religion ? I know very well, that tithes do not 

 operate as many people pretend ; I know that 

 those who complain inpst about them have the 

 least right to complain ; but, for my present 

 purpose, it is sufficient to shew, that they have 

 nothing to do with religion. 



434. If, indeed, the Americans were wicked, 

 disorderly, criminal people, and, of course, a 

 miserable and foolish people: then we might 

 doubt upon the subject: then we might pos 

 sibly suppose, that their wickedness and mi 

 sery arose, in some degree, at least, from the 

 want of tithes. But, the contrary is the fact. 

 They are the most orderly, sensible, and least 

 criminal people in the whole world. A com 

 mon labouring man has the feelings of a man 

 of honour; he never thinks of violating the 

 laws ; he crawls to nobody ; he will call every 

 man Sir, but he will call no man master. When 

 he utters words of respect towards a|*y one, 

 they do not proceed from fear or hope, but 



