The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-05
Letter from Bishop Hughe. ON the Land
Question.
NEw YoRK. Feb. 26.

NEw YoRK, Feb. %, 1850.
DnAR sn: received your communities alton Of the
18th instant, inviting me 10 address n meeting at
the Tabernacle on the 18th instant on the subject
Of land reform: question, as you say, identified
with the interests Of the laboring classes I would
say, through you, TO the committee, that however
flattered may be by their invitation, yet the sub
iect is one Of such a nature seems 10 exclude
and forbid any act Of interference the part Of
clergyman. ] would remark, that have carefully
abstained from interference in such matters.
Ifmyviews on the subject are Of any consequence
| may express them 10 you, with the candor which
always accompanies any opinion which deem IL
worth while 20 express.
The public lands, as take Il, belong 10 all the
people of this country, rich and poor. RI under.
stand the to which the proceeds Of their sale have
been applied, Il has been equally for the benefit Of
all the people, the poor well AZ the rich. know
not by what special rules or restrictions the sale Of
the public lands has been or is now regulated. But
the proceeds are still apparently counted on AZ ono
source Of public for the purpose Of meeting
the expenses OF the General Government can
hardly see how IL is practicable TO line Of dis
tnction through the social conditions OF all the pco
pie, or TO compel (supposing this prsctieable)
The government TO distribute, by gin otherwise
the public lands 90 those one side, forbid that
government from selling them 10 those on the
other think that the poor Of the laboring classes
advantages from the course which has hitherto
been pursued by the government in disposing Of
the public lands.
dread also the effect Of any attempt TO organize
social sections OF this great people into classes II
the interest OF one ca were destructive
oftbose Of another. Having made these observa-
tions can see great propriety and great advantage
In any prudent and efcctual measure, which will
prevent any thing like monopoly OF the evil. sc
cured by great capitalists for purposes Of present
speculation and as the foundation Of future social
pre-eminence, cnuring to them and their posterity
The evils that might possibly result from any thing
Of this kind nj least If attempted on a large scale,
are now pslpablo in the proprietary conditions Of
the people Of Europe, and especially Of Great Brit
ain and Ireland, as regards the right Of soil II 10
true that in those countries there little proportion
between the limited territory and the dense popu-
lation; and although the vast public domain OF this
country and the comparative psucity OF those who
seek land for actual cultivation, may render the
danger 10 which have alluded a remote one, still
do not deem the present either premature or UNI
reasonable for any wise measures, whereby the dan
ger may be guarded against
should rejoice at every encouragement afforded,
both by the General and State governments, TO in
duce all thoee who not owners Of land, and who
desire 20 become such, 70 remove from our over
crowded cities, to the rich and beautiful domains
that are only waiting for the industry Of man. and
which invite him, both by the salubrity OF the
climate and the fertility OF the soil Under this
point Of view, entertain the kindest wishes Of sue
cess TO all who may be engaged in carrying out
an arrangement by which such facilities and en-
couragements shall be held forth to the hundreds
and even thousands who are living and laborinR
for mere support, and who sometimes cannot
even secure this in our large and over-crowdcd
cities, without ever becoming the owners Of the
roof above their head, or the ground beneath their
feet.
] am delighted, slso, that the subject has engaged
the attention OF our most prominent and public
statesmen, and have very little doubt that what
ever can be done prospectvely this subject, will
be taken into their deep consideration.
! remain, very respectfully, your obcdient SER
esnt, tJOHN HUGHES, Bp of New York