New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-04-18
Prnprnnnaf Reform.

The doctrines first enuncated by the Land he
formers OF New.York are spreading throughout
the country, and are not confined to any one sec.
ton. Another champion Of Land Reform has
arisen at the South. We refer to Judge EDWARD
DmLAHUNrY, who, in declining to be a candidate
before the Wing State Convention of Tennessee
for Governor, took occasion to declare himself In
favor of Free Educaton-E Extension Of Railroads
throughout the State, and other important meas
ures. Here is what be has to say on Homestead
Exemption and the Liquor Traffic:
The right to the Homestead 10 now engross
ing much public attention, and will demand the
action of the next Legislature. have no sym
pAthy whatever with the man who endeavors 10
the earnings OF honest industry 20 PamPer the
lusts of the idle and prohigate, and who labOrS
not to elevate the low but TO pull down the high.
| do not look upon the Homestead Exemption
law az at all favsring anything of this kind; 30
far from IT, that know of no single law that
would tend so much 10 promote peace and quiet
and public prosperity. | would rejoice 20 see it
enacted in every State in this Union. Disguise
it as the pride Of man may, t Is still true tnag the
most pow ertul Of all human motives IS thai OF
selEinterest; and that Tree State is certainly
most secure Of its perpetuty which has the great
est proportion of citizens that are land holders,
and directly and individually lnterestedn It's pre-
servaton. Such a law would give liked haelta
tons to our citizens, would make them realize
the fact that every visitation Of calamity TO their
country would shed its blight around their own
hearth stones
Secure to each family, whose labor may acquire
it, little lot of free earth, that it can call ITS oDH
that will be an asy lum IN times OF adversely,
from which the mother and the children, old age
and infancy, can still draw sustenance aud o.
tain protection, though misfortune may rob them
OF all ese-and they will feel they are SIN Tree
still entitled to walk the green eartn ana
breathe the free air of heaven in defiance OF the
potency and power OF accumulated wealth, and
the domineerDg OF the pretended OF amolsloas,-
The sacredness Of the consecrated spot WILL MAKE
them rarriOrS in times of 0utaod,d oppression and
patyi0ts in times Of internal STRIFE. Those
Shocks OF corn said Xenophon, "inspire those
who rotse them with courage 70 defend them. Inc
SIGHT of them in the field is as prize exhibited
in the middle Of the stage TO crown the conquer
or" Secure q home to every family, whose hon.
est labor may obtain one, against the weaknesses,
vices or misfortunes OF the father, and you VIII
riyet the affections OF the child in years OF man.
hood bv A stronger bond than any consideration
thRt could exist. He will remember where he
gamboled in his early youth-the stream upon
whose howery banks he has played, and In whose
limpid waters he has bathed-the family altar
where he left mothers kiss and mothers love
and the green spot within the little home
stead
IL can but be admitted that il il the natural
tendency in all governments, where there IS no
civil regulation 10 prevent it, for landed interests
10 accumulate in the hands of the fer to tue op-
preston Of the many; and In the course OF tlne
from the density OF population, starvaron, OF
passive dependence, becomes the legltimsse re-
suit of landless industry, while the higher class
advance in luxury and refinement IN an equai
ratio.
The subject of a Homestead Exemption" law
is no new theory, bot living principle OF our de-
claration of rights, springing out OF the acEnow'
lodged "inalensble rights OF lJe H0er1y' ana the
pursuit Of happiness" Il was one oil tue
main features that supported and adorned tue
Republics of Rome, Athens and Sparta, In their
palmiest days But as they increased IN luxury
and splendor, corruption crept into their counSeS
bringing with il an infringement o. these rights,
which hurried on their national destruction. Bat
in all the States Of this Mon, the application
of this is Dsctlayly essential. For as IS alone
70 the riTtue and patriotism OF the people tnat we
can look for the prosperity and Perpetuity OF our
Tree institutions so is 1t essential IN Ofosl " 90
cure tbst virtue1 and patriotism" that the
public mind should be enlightened BY liberal edu,
cation-that they may kaor hetr T1gMs-and
that their wants should be protected against those
necessities that kno1r no lar, knowing they may
maintain them.
Itis due 10 the character Of our proud sta.e mat
abe shoad not be backward in extending THIS JusI'
beuefceut and humane protection 70 tue eones1
toiling but often unfortunate fathers OF lenny
and still moro unfortunate widows ana orpnAns,
who without il are ever liable TO be rendered
houseIess and thrown dependent upon the cold
charities of the world. MI ..,,or
One thing more and am done. The partner partner,
ship Of the State in the retail oil intoxlcnlng
drinks should be at once and forever SLsso;veu.
No State has right 70 speculate upon Inc sIsm
-. = ;ts citizens: no Tree state mas q
risb, ;" dvorce Ia and morals Outside Of mere
ne.,irs ersctents growing out Of the artificial
interests . Of society, every law should have the
cIcsr sanction Of moral right. The Legislature OF