The daily crescent., 1851-04-23

So accustomed are we all to the usages of society
10 the condition of civilization that the mind sell
dom dses on the laws which really control the
mutform relations springing out of this artificial
state. Whence comes property! what is it Why
should one man enjoy millions, while another
starves on dunghill! The palace and the howell
stand side by side-where is the law which recog-
nizes and maintains the distinction Wealth, the
right appropriation doubtless the great element
in the construction of civilized society. 1t is the
incentive for exertion, for economy. Did not the
tiller Of the field know that the harvest was to
feed his family, he would never plough the earth
snd scatter the seed. The law Of property, then,
is the creature Of mans wants. and it will be re-
e0gnixed up 10 the point which most benefits soci-
ETY.. The law Of inheritance is sustained on the
same principle, though doubts exist as to the policy
Of allowing dead man TO control any portion of
the earth. But the experience of ages has demon
strated that the same rule of action which recog-
nizss the right Of private ownership, also recog
nizes that of disposing Of il after death.
But society, which thus creates, has the right to
regulate wealth. man has not right to do what
he will with his own. Society has rights as well
as individuals. And in cities, themselves the
highest results Of civilization, property is held
more restricted than in the pastoral or agricultural
communities. The influence of cities on civiliza-
ton, is a most interesting subject. We have not
time at present TO glance even at its many sdes but
reserve for future occasion its discussion In the
large and crowded city, the proprietor of lot of
ground must enjoy it, that it shall not interfere
with the rights Of his neighbors. He cannot follow
certain trades, necessary in themselves but often
sve in their operation. He cannot erect structures
of combustible materials he cannot store in them
inf1ammabe substances. But, worse than all this
others beside himself may decide that he shall give
up portion of his ground for the public use. He is
not consulted even to the equivalent, but he must
take what they choose to give. Others decide tina,
by this change, his remaining property is enhanced
in value, and they make him actually pay such
proportion they deem reasonable, of the expense
This is done every day. All of those rules and
practices are usnrpations of power, by society Yet
after ALL his ownership, is of ITSELF the greatest of
all usurpations.
BY this article we do not intend to advocate The
dreams Of the Socialists. We seek only TO trace
The rights of property to their source, and to show
that society has permitted them only to certain
point, and subject to its experimenting control
These rights of supervision, of the compulsory
alienation of property, this arbitrary mode of pay
ing for it, are matters of daily practice. When a
railroad is to be built, the owners of the land over
which it passes, may set up their opposition in vain
The road may pass through graveyard, where
repose those whom we have most deeply loved ;
the feeling Of affection invests that little lot with
value inappreciable in money Yet the wants Of
society sternly disregard the sentiments of affection
and the grave is rudely razed. Shall it be other
wise! Who dares to advocate different rule,
that which would permit the caprice, the sentimen-
alty, the avarice, or the obstinacy Of the one 10
thwart and prevent the advantage of the million
The assessment of property to effect great i'm
provements is not a tax 1t has been held that
such impositions are TO be considered only as SER
vitudes due by property. Thus, the owner oflands
fronting on the Mississippi, is compelled to erect
and keep up levee, though his own interest would
be promoted by leaving the land open to the over
flow, which would elevate it.
These are few instances where society attempts
to regulate the enjoyment of property, and they
show that 1t is not merely theoretical right, but
one in full force. Why then should not the owner
of lot in this city, be compelled to aid in con.
'tructing works, which will enhance the value of
that lot far more than the amount which is exacted
of hima Doubtless measure so important. en-.
bracing SO much property and so many individuals
within its scope, should be well matured before
enforced. But better to give up one half of the
present value at once, if by so doing we can re-
irieve the failing fortunes of the CITY, In future
number we shall endeavor to show that the con-
struetion of great road, at the expense of the
owners of real estate, will enhance its value r be-
yond the outlay. In the meantime we keep before
the people Ine Importance VI au0prIug inns heasUr,
and their undoubted right in natural, as well as in
irv puvtiol every day law, to enforce the princi-
pie Of compelling the real estate to pay for those
improvements, which are to affect it SO prodigi-
)usly.