sought
to control it. This system has invariably failed; constantly coming
in contact with each man's sense of individuality, it has been the
prolific source of revolutions, despotisms, the ruin of states, the
extirpation of races,--and in its mildest forms, where life has been
preserved, everything which makes life desirable has been destroyed.
In most countries this system still exists to a great degree, nor is
there any country whence it is entirely eradicated.

Seeing the constant and uniform occurrence of these evils, Mr.
Jefferson was led to believe that they were not caused by a
remediable imperfection in the existing system, but by radical
defects. He concluded that they were produced by an attempt on the
part of government to do what it could not,--that the power of
government was limited by absolute and inherent laws, like those
which limit the strength of man,--and that there were certain
functions belonging to government, in going beyond which it not only
failed of its purpose, but did positive harm. In this view, the
definition of these functions becomes a task of great difficulty and
involves the whole science of politics. We cannot follow his entire
line of argument, and without detail there is danger that our
statement will not be sufficiently qualified. His general theory,
however, is simple, and is drawn from his first proposition as to
the equal rights of man. He held that the object of society is the
preservation of these great rights. Since experience teaches us, that,
however incompetent we may be to decide upon the interests of others,
we are able to regulate our own, this social purpose will be best
accomplished by leaving to each one all the liberty consistent with
the general safety. Security, being the only common object, should
be the sole duty of the common agent. The government being confined
to the performance of this negative duty, it must not exercise its
power except when necessary. The inquiry, Is it necessary? not, Is
it advantageous? is the test to be applied to every measure. The
rigid application of this rule excludes the state from any
interference with commerce and industry,--from all matters of
religion and opinion,--and limits its financial operations to
providing in the most direct manner for its own support. But it is
to be noticed, that it is consistent with this scheme, and indeed
the fruit of it, that, in the sphere which it does occupy, the
government should be absolut