PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Sf.
The General Rights of .ilflllzkind.
iog ought te be _ ma4~ ~dJ~~iv~ property, which can
becoovenJeni!I ~jo~ in.~ammon."
. It is 'the general intention of God Almighty, that
;: the produce of the earth be applied to the use of
iliaD. This appears from the constitution of nature,
or, if you will, from his express declaration; and
this is all that appears hitherto. Under this general
douation, one man has the same right as another.
Tou pluck an apple from a tree, or take a laolb out
of a Hock, for your immediate u;e and nourishment,
ad 1 do the same; and we both plead for what we
do, the general ir.tention of the Supreme Proprietor.
So far all is right; but you cannot claim the whole
bee, or the whole flock, and exclude me from any
share of them, and plead this general intention for
"bat you do. n.e piea wiil not serve you: you
must shew something more. You must shew, by
promsble arguments, at least, that it is God's intention
that these things sbould be parcelied out to indiYiduals;
and that the established distribution, unicr
which you claim, should be upheld. Shew me this,
and I am sati5fied. But until this be ~bev'n, the
,enen! intention, which has been made appear, and
which u all that does appear, must prevail; and uno
deT that, my title is as good as yours. Now there is
\ DO argument to indu ce such a presumption but one,
j~t the thing cannot. be enj~yed at all, or enjoyed
,WIth t~e sam~, or !,lth D€arly the same ad.antag~,
: while It contlllues m common, as when appropn­
{ated. This is true, where there is not enough for
all, or where (he article in que~tion requires care or
! labour in the production or preservation: but where
~ DO such reason obtains, and the thing is in its nature
: capable of being enjoyed by as many as will, it seems
I _ arbitrary usurpation upon the rights of mankind,
l to confine tbe use of it to any.
H a medicinal spring were discovered in a piece of
ground which was private property, copious enough
for every purpose w~ich it could be applied to, I