, Benjamin Franklin [2734 
were ever without them? Such will exist wherever 
there 1s liberty; and perhaps they help to preserve it. 
By the collision of different sentiments, sparks of 
truth are struck out, and political light is obtained. 
The different factions, which at present divide us, 
aim all at the public good; the differences are only 
about the various modes of promoting it. Things, 
actions, measures, and objects of all kinds present 
themselves to the minds of men in such a variety of 
lights, that it is not possible we should all think alike 
at the same time on every subject, when hardly the 
same man retains at all times the same ideas of it. 
Parties are therefore the common lot of humanity; 
and ours are by no means more mischievous or less 
beneficial than those of other countries, nations, and 
ages, enjoying in the same degree the great blessing 
of political liberty. 
Some indeed among us are not so much grieved 
for the present state of affairs, as apprehensive for 
the future. The growth of luxury alarms them, and 
they think we are from that alone in the high road 
of ruin. They observe that no revenue is sufficient 
without economy, and that the most plentiful income 
of a whole people from the natural productions of 
their country may be dissipated in vain and needless 
expenses, and poverty be introduced in the place of 
affluence. This may be possible. It however rarely 
happens; for there seems to be in every nation a 
greater proportion of industry and frugality, which 
tend to enrich, than of idleness and prodigality, 
which occasion poverty; so that upon the whole there 
is a continual accumulation. Reflect what Spain, 
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