us to consider man according to the nature in which he was
formed; subject to infirmities, which no wisdom can remedy; to
weaknesses, which no institution can strengthen; to vices,
which no legislation can correct. Hence, it becomes obvious
that separate property is the natural and indisputable right of
separate exertion; that community of goods without
community of toil is oppressive and unjust; that it counteracts
the laws of nature, which prescribe that he only who sows the
seed shall reap the harvest; that it discourages all energy, by
destroying its rewards; and makes the most virtuous and active
members of society the slaves and drudges of the worst. Such
was the issue of this experiment among our forefathers, and the
same event demonstrated the error of the system in the elder
settlement of Virginia. Let us cherish that spirit of harmony
which prompted our forefathers to make the attempt, under
circumstances more favorable to its success than, perhaps, ever
occurred upon earth. Let us no less admire the candor with
which they relinquished it, upon discovering its irremediable
inefficacy. To found principles of government upon too
advantageous an estimate of the human character is an error of
inexperience, the source of which is so amiable that it is
impossible to censure it with severity. We have seen the same
mistake committed in our own age, and upon a larger theatre.
Happily for our ancestors, their situation allowed them to
repair it before its effects had proved destructive. They had no
pride of vain philosophy to support, no perfidious rage of
faction to glut, by persevering in their mistakes until they
should be extinguished in torrents of blood.

As the attempt to establish among themselves the community