Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-08-09

u can, iOFcloiy III IL must. ney are Cou-
WINGED Of the self-evident truth that all man
kind have right TO the soil. Whether they
confess the truth or not, there is not toll
erably balanced head on human shoulders
that can for moment resist the conviction,
on the bare announcement Of the proposition.
To clear and well balanced mind, the off
err Of proof beyond the simple announcement
Of the selfevident truth, would be gross
insult and imposition. It is only for minds
that are out OF balance, sophisticated and be-
clouded by the corrupt systems under which
they have been developed, that any proof is
needed. Now as soon as the proposition is
announced, discerning minds, discovering the
truth in the case, run directly off to conclus-
ions. 1t is seen at once that The earth OF
right belongs to universal ma,s-not TO few
individual men. This being seen by those
who are under the law Of violence, their
minds run Immediately to the conclusion that
the property in soil and its products, in hands
10 which it does not rightlully belong, is to
be wrested from them by violence, accord
ing to their own practices in other things
Il is not wonderful tina, those who see things
thus should cry out from fear and agony
All that is wanting for their relief is TO have
their minds opened to the whole truth in the
case. The truth is, the friends Of reform
are so far from thinking to take away by vi
olence what belongs to any one, they discard
the thought of thus taking what does not be-
long to any one. The revolution in which
they are engaged is 10 60 on without the
shedding Of blood, on their part, and without
violence. They point out the evil and the
wrong, and then go to mans higher nature,
and not TO his lower for the remedy. Here
is where the failure has been, hitherto. The
baser passions Of men have been appealed
10, instead Of the better. The cultivation
has been bad. II may have been the best
the circumstances would admit. But the
time has come for Improvement. Revenge
is to give place to kindness-punishment 10
pity-cupidity TO benevolence. Wrong do
ers are to be shown the right, and then left
to act for themselves without external COM
pulsion. The more restoration on the part
of individuals who have what belongs TO
humanity, the better. But that which has
been seized on by the violent, distracted
from the common interest, and appropriated
to individual advantage against the general
good, is not to be wrested and restored with
violence. This has already been done too
long. True, il would only be taking the vio-
lent on their own ground, and subjecting them
to course Of treatment on their own prin-
cipIes. And this is what they fear and dread
The principle by which they profess TO be
governed allows the rightful owner TO seize
by violence on what belongs to him, wher-
ever he finds it, and take it 10 himself. And
when they see that the soil belongs to uni
versal humanity, and not to the individual
human beings who have seized on it, they
tremble and quake for fear the claims Of the
rightful owner are to be enforced on their
own rule Of action. They are in the predic.
ament Of the culprit who was taking on bit
| terly al the bar. He was exhorted TO quiet
ness and assured that justice would be done
him. Ihut, said he, is 1OhGt I am atfaid
I! But the property holders may hush
their fears and quiet their apprehensions.-
All that Reformers wish to do is, TO show
them their errors and wrongs and point them
out the remedy, leaving them TO apply il
themselves. or to live ON in transgression, as
they themselves think best. Those who are
engaged in behalf Of humanity, instead Of
going out with force to bring back what has
been stolen away from their CLIENT propose
by their own earnings TO accumulate all thai
is needed for future purposes. II is not q
demand, it is only an iucitatio'., we bring
to those who have wronged humanity, to re.
store. IL the claims we present are appre
ciated and needed, it is well. II not, we pity
aud deplore. We inflict no punishment
We impreca,e no vengeance. Wefulminate
no anathema. We present no unhallowei
motive.
i 2. Asto Whose the Property so called
Rightfully Is. With such an assurance a.
is given above in words, together with tn,
acts Of Reformers in the case, let us nov
proceed to inquire TO know to whom the prop
er,y as il is called, belongs. These assur-
ances, or facts, have nothing TO do with tn
merits of the question TO be discussed. The
lonly remove difficulties in the way OF ar
preaching the subject. Mankind have s
long and so generally been operated upon b
!, | the presentation Of wrong motives-have $
much been moved by violence and the fea