Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-02-14
For The kenOsha Telecraph
HANl LIMIT AYNERN

This reform measure, so radical in the eyes Of
Conservatives OF every grade, bids fair to become
established principle so far as the Legislature
of this State is concerned. Heretofore there
has been no limit to possession. and until quite
recently no settled conviction of the necessity OF
setting bounds to the acquisition of land. But
the majority of the inhabitants of this state be-
ing emigrants from the old states or old world
and having themselves experienced the evils
growing out of the neglect of society to protect
their natural rights, are determined this state of
things Shall exist no longer. Hence the efforts
of individuals to adhere to feudal customs can
not long avail against their determination to es-
tablish righteous arrangements. Our system of
land tenure is the offspring OF chance, controlled
by circumstances, without regard TO abstract
! right. The results of it are therefore chaotic
and arbitrary. Possession depending not upon
ability TO use, but ability to buy; it has convert
ed vast tracts of our state into a barren waste
and made idle, II not vicious, large portion of
our population. There are men of worth all
around us, who would gladly occupy these lands
if not deferred by the nseperable obstacles which
monopoly creates, who would become active
producers of wealth. bit who are compelled to
follow occupations no longer profitable, because
recourse TO the Earth is denied them. As the
state grows older the result is aggravated, until
the time is not distant when allowing US the
same quality of submission which the inhabl-
ants of Europe exhibit, and a continuance of the
absurd scramble Il will not call it SYSTEM for
land possession, our children may sarve in sight
| Of the plenty which the richest Agricultural
country in the world can realize. Mechanics
whose remuneration is barey sufficient to sup
! port dependent ones, are unable to extrlcate
themselves from the actual slavery of which
! they are the Subjects and continue 10 crowd the
markets OF their particular labor, until a common
! level of degradation and mental abasement is
reached, and they neither respect themselves or
are respected of mankind.
A century ago the social condition of mechan-
| ics OF tradesmen as they were then called, was
infinitely better than 1t is now. 1t was no un-
common thing for them to amass wealth, and at
tain high station. The artisans OF London figure
largely in the history of that era, and were so
powerful as actually 10 hold the government in
check How is it now? This class, of ell 9TH
ers, the most degraded, whose employment is
least certain, and whose social position is the
lowest and most dependent. The soil being held
by few, the increasing population must be sub
sisted by manufacturers. These are established
and for a time accomplish the result But other
communities embark in the same scheme i'm
PEELED by the same causes, and the consequence
is over production, staGnatiOn, and DO employ
ment to the mechanic Now it would be some
relief, if, in this contingency, men could use the
land TO obtain subsistence, but here monopoly
meets them and says: Give me the results OF
your toll, and I'll let you live" So that the mo-
tive to better their condition is completely want
ing. II is time that such depiorable results
should cease, ana that the stimulus of industry
and the prevention Of vice should grow out OF
natural conditions and favorable circumstances.
1t is this view of the subject that induces the
hope that limitation, and a recognition of each
persons right to the soil as dernier resort, free
Of charge, may become the future policy of this
State, and of the world. d.