Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-03-17
LAND REFORM LECTURES.-H. H VAN
AMRINGE

llvered IN this village during the past week, by Mr.
ii. VAN AMHISGE, upon the subject of Land Re
iorm We had heard much in regard to the prin-
ciPles and measures of the Land Reiormers. and
also much IN reference TO the ability with which
these principles and measures had been elucidated
aud discussed By Mr.. Van Amringe in the varjous
localities throughout the Territory which he had
visited the past five or six months From what we
had read and heard our mind was quite favorably
impressed both as regards the subject and the Lee.
turer; and upon his arrival among rs. on his
mission OF reform, we anticipated treat of no or.
binary character and expected to learn important
practical truths in the discussion promised Tosay
that our anticpations have been realized would be
very tame remark, and TO say that they have been
more than realized would be very indefinite one
We have only 10 remark concerning the speaker
that the proofs he gives Of devoted regard for the
worldwide interests humanity. are unmistakabls
and that the zeal energy, and ability he displays in
and for the promotion of these interests. render him
most efficient worker in the great department Of
reform IN which he has enlisted He would eeerp
y 'ftt tilt'il oi NIt W OIk,--lt we can
not doubt that his labors in Wisconsin, as well as
elsewhere, viii be followed by the most beneficial
results. Bat however great the merits of the Lee
tlIrer, the merits of the doctrines he advances. are
what address themselves more particularly to the
mind. and claim the most attention The subject
OF Land Ro'orm is deeper and broader one than is
generally aPProhended; and that it involves to a far
greater extent tho interes;s and welfare OF tho work
ing masses, than any other and all other measures
Of reform proposed and agitatod IS a matter susccp
tbc of plain demonstration. Indeed it may be
assumed that, as Land monopoly by the few, is
evidently tho cause OF the degradation aad suffering
Of the producing many. the civilized world over
there is but way to effect radical cure and that
Shy removing the cause. The earth was created for
the benefit ana subsistence of man. the same as air
and water and sunshine were and there is no more
reason why be should be deprived of free access to
the former, AT least TO sufficient extent to make
himself home aud TO place himself and family
beyond the reach OF want, than there is that he
should be deprived OF a free access TO aud use OF
the latter And the same argument which would
Justify one man in tnon0poizing more land than he
wants for his own use, to the injury of his fellow
man, wonld also justify him in monopolizing if the
thing could be done water, air, and sunshine, be-
yond his own wants and to the exclusion and injury
Of ucighbor The principle is the same IN both
cases and the natural right of free access 10 the
soil. as d means Of procuring subsistence, Is GER
tainly not hess plain than the right to lie and to
breathe the ar Of heaven. This is one position of
the National Re.orrers VIZ: Free Soil. And the
next is the Limitation doctrne-that every andlcss
man. who desires it. shall have secured to him, for
purposes Of actual occupation and cultivation, a Ger
tain Limited quantity Of unoccupied Land. say a
farm OF 100 acres, Il town city lot, and
that no man shall hereafter be permitted to own
or occupy beyond this limitation. The importance
and necessity Of this principle and the beneficial re
suits which would certainly follow its practical ap-
plicaon, were fully and ably dwelt upon by Mr.
Van Aulrnge and we only regret that, for the be-
nelit of our readers have net space and time now
to present the leading ideas of the speaker IN this
department of his subject The third principle of
the Rclormers is, homestead exemption without;
pccuniary limitation,-vih an ultimate desi- IN,
however to effect tie entire abrogation of the col
lection laws and the overthrow of the present ari-
fetal credit system. Then the merchant would
not trust the farmer FOR bis farm. The merchant
might still entice the iarGcr to trade and the latter
might SH his farm pay for goods butthc merchant
could not buy il if lie already possessed land up the
limit. In short. as a matter of practice under
proper system. such a. the re.omcrs wish TO { tab
fish, the traffic in land would cease. Every man
could readily procure home, and would be secure
in the pos, eSsion Of ,hat home,-thc anta4ooi>tc
and ruinously competitive system now existing and
increasing IN every department of labor would be
ctIcctually destroyed-all classes OF men would be
brought into harmonious relations with each other
and with the laws Of nature. and instead of working
against would have the strongest possible motives
to work for each other Labor-saving improve
mcnts and machinery would also he employed not
against the working masses, and in favor only OF
the interests OF capital but in adding TO the store
and comforts Of all and promoting the welfare OF
all. The principle Of accommodating specially for
ones self, immensely beyond what is wanted for
individual use or enjoyment, would give place to
a better principle The energies OF strong men
would be diverted into new and better path. Dis
tncton, the aim OF all would then be only attana-
bic in promoting the general good and men
would be surrounded by influences and circumsan-
ees tending 70 a fuller development OF the higher
faculties OF their nature and 10 a raprty of moral