New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-06
n. Y.Legislnture-H Hon. John Young on ~
Rent, &c.-Anti.Rent Nominations,
Correspondence of The Tribune

Ne 4
Rent, &c.-Anti-Renr Nominations, oee' - 90
Correspondence of The Tribune
wish you and your readers could nave oeen
present in the Assembly Chamber last evening LOT
thew would have enjoyed rich treat not soon TO be
sorgo,,en The expectation that JOHN YoSsG
,,,on,d oneot unop the Governors Message drew
,hi,hor cro,vded an Intellectual, and l may with
nth saw n fashionable audience. There were
Ind,es and Clergymen scattered here and there in
,ba sea,s Of Members, and in the lobbies and gal
ier;es A dense throng filled every seat and every
standing. place. Many bright eye was fixed upon
the speaker from that constellation OF brillancy-
the ladies' gallery. And fully was expectation re-
allied For two hours did YoUNG keep that crowd
ed audience perfectly entranced with bis eloquence
1t was indeed splendid effort During the SIX
wears that have been in constant attendance upon
the Legislative Halls, have heard many brilliant
speeches. but this was by far the best OF ALL Will
give YOU a sketch Of some of the points OF this
Speech, particularly his position upon the Anti
Rent question, in relation TO which he ives clear,
decided and satisfactory to every hgh-mlnded, hon.
est and candid man.
He commenced by happy allusion 10 the position
of the two branches Of the Loco Foco party. Alter
referring 10 the wonderful change in The tone OF the
message of the Governor IN relation 10 the Anil
Rent grievances, from what that functonary put
forth last year he briefly glanced at the commissions
into which the leaders of Locs. Focoism upon the
floor of the Assembly had been thrown, by what
they had characterized as Mr.. Y.'s non.commitaism
on this subject. His satire on these leaders OF the
Mock Democracy was pungent aud caustlc and
shaved close.
Having disposed OF this preliminary rubbish, MIR.
Y proceeded 10 give his views in full on this most
exciting subject. fear l may do injustice by the
mere sketch which | shall send you. But as the
speech will be published 10 full hereafter any In
~ I Il will no lv remeded
He spoke OF the character of these tenures, as be-
ing utterly opposed the genius and spirit OF free
Institutions They made great difference In the
appearance of the country, where they existed and
where farmers owned their land as between Free
dom and Slavery. Every one who desired the
prosperity and happiness of their country, must de-
sire their extnction-ifth that will involve no viola
ton Of Constitutional right or privilege.
He then spoke of what the tenants asked-strlp-
ping that request of the unfair gloss which had been
put upon it by those Interested In defeating their
prayer Having thus cleared away the preliminary
under brush and saying that he was ready 10 go 10
the utmost verge of right to afford relief, but not
hairs breadth beyond, he went on 10 show most
concusively IA well eloquently, that the relief
asked for and required within the undoubted
power of Notwithstanding prelinnariy IN
proof former action in relation 10 entails, slavery,
fines for alienation, trusts, &c.
He then asked how far the Legislature could
go? He took up the proposed measures in turn
First the proposition to the income OF the Land
lords in these lands He first exploded the pre-
tence that this was double taxation. 1fit was it
only placed this class of property on par with mort,
cages. But il was not so. III farm, lntrInslcally
worth $1,000, had permanent incumbrance upon it
in The shape of rent of Sl4 per annum, Its assessa
BILE value was but $500, and The occupant paid only
on that amount. Should then this remaining $500
escape taxation? Every body would say no.
Equal and exact justice demanded that Landlords,
IL. 81, h,rl az
taxation And that tax should be collected for the
benefit of the localities where the lands were sit
uated In strain of argument equally impassioned
and forcible he enforced this position, and dismissed
it with the expression of his firm belief that no man
could reasonably object to this most just request Of
the tenants.
He then passed on TO discussion OF the important
bill, Introduced by the select committee, in relation
to desccnts md dcvises You have already publish
ed this bill, and made such comments upon it as pre-
sent ii in its true light to your readers He spoke
first of.he consuonality of this proposed Legisa-
tion--demonstralng that not shadow OF objection
could be maintained against such law on that
ground He then demonstrated the justice of the
measure and pointed to its and Ultimate effect
in Graduating these ten1res from the free soil OF this
country. Though no immediate relief might be re-
allied vet this Legislation would enable these
tenants ultimately to throw off these shackles and
make them what they had right 10 be- body OF
freemen This portion of Mr.. Y's argument was
listened to with the deepest attention, and SO conf
dent am of the force of his reasoning that firmly
believe your bilious friend of the c. & Z. had he
been present would have said Amen
Mr.. Y. went on 10 speak OF the next proposition
of the tenants viz: to abosh Distress for Rent 1t
had been said that the abolition of this Landlords
Remedy would distress rather than benefit the ten
ants He cared not 10 inquire whether this was 80
or not. The remedy was not one in consonance with
the feelings OF the people OF free country. He eX-
Of hi -fron, pOla md
where Landlords legisate for Landlords He dis
sected and exploded this relic of monarchical insttu-
tons-tearing il and the arguments OF its advocates
into shreds He then proceeded in a brilliant and
closely reasoned argument, to prove that the aboi
ton of this aristocratic remedy was no interference
with nor violation of contracts even where that
remedy was expressly inserted. can give you no
sketch of this portion of the argument, as it would
do injustice to the learned gentleman. You must
publish at least this portion at length Suffice i, TO
say that he proved his position by reference 10 the
uniform course OF Legislation and Judicial decisions
on this point. His argument was unanswerable,
and his reference 10 the now exploded objections to
the wise salutary and humane non-imprisonment
law-to the predictions made Oh its passage, and
their entire unsoundness. was most happy and OPP
perfume. Now, he said, the most rigid, grinding NIL
ser could not be found who would vote for repeal
of that law. He showed how the objections to this
proposed law would be equally futile But all this
must pass over and refer you to his speech in full
wheni shall be published.
Mr. Y. then spoke OF the remaining request of the
tenants-viz: for permission contest the titles of
the Landlords of these Manors. He differed from
many with great reluctance, but he could not see
how this could be done. And if it could not, it
would be childish to pass such law, for IT would
be useless, if impracticabe. He might be mistaken,
but on careful examination, he had come TO this con-
clusiou. He then proceeded with closely reasoned
and lucid argument the question of what consti.
tuted 6 title, Much as should like TO see full
and i'm partial legal investigation of these Manor
titles, must say this argument appeared to me to
be unanswerabe. Blu, this portion Of his argument,
TOO, must leave for the full report Nor can be-
lieve that such investigation would be product
i've of any benefit 10 the tenants for believe the
courts would decide whether right or wrong Is
another question: in favor of the Landlords If the
tenants can sc, out of these accursed terures and
their bghting influences in short series of years,
they had better leave to the landlord the empty en-
joyment OF title, running back, either TO the Nor
man conquest or Indian frauds-for either would
be sufficient. if possession could be proved. Better
take the substance and let the shadop so.
having finished his discussion OF the Anti Kent
Z 9est'on. MIR. Y. proceeded to dissect the leaders