The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-11
Land for the Landlass.

At the risk OF being thought singular, ii
is deemed proper to confess. that, while re-
joicing at the prosperity OF all classes of
our readers, we are less dszzled by great
achievements of Art. or splendid triumphs
of wealth. than pleased with those magnii-
icent Improvements which, in the end,
viii secure Incompetence 10 the great mass
Of mankind. Ii is pleasant to walk over
the broad acres OF the skillful cultivator.
whose ample means enable him 10 avail
himself OF all modern discoveries and i'm.
proyements, and whose knowledg ge, gained
by reading and observation, qualities him
torender Science and the Earth subservi-
ent to his purposes. None more than we,
admire his fine stock, his capacious and
well filled barns and granaries, or listen
with greater Satisfaction TO the gratifying
pecuniary results OF his laudable efforts
The man thus qualified, and thus situated,
ia more to be envied}than the king on his
throne, and more worthy OF honor than
the general of thousand successful bat.
ties.
But We cannot forget that The man OF
wealth and oi position honored and hon.
orable as he may be, is not the only one
whose interests need the fostering aid Of
Science, and the projecting care Of hu-
name and liberal institutions. Myriads OF
souls, susceptible OF indefinite develop
ment-of hearts, glowing with exalted as
Ipirations-of minds, capable Of unlimited
progression, are yet perplexed with unnat-
ural cares. laboring, under apparently IN
surmountable difficulties, and longing for
opportunities to gain, b5 honest means, a
home of plenty Tor themselves and those
l.swhose eyes wait upon them for meat in
due season. And though we are not agra
rians. I'VE should rejoice to see the day
when every industrious man could call o
portion of Gods footstool his own, and
cultivate it for himself And we hazard
the prediction that the ..inanifsst destiny
OF our glorious America will yet reveal the
sublime spectacle OF universal indepen
4 ldence-freedom from want and the ieal
OF it-guarantied by inalienable titles te
land enough to support each family. Tha
such q result will YET be realized, is indi
Gated by powerful public sentiment, tend
ing in that direction, and, with no less dis
tinctpess, by the legitimate influence which
all improvements in the Arts and Sciences
must and ,oill exert upon human affairs
Labor saving machines and implements
or rather the benefits resulting from them
cannot long be monopolzed by few
!, Nor can knowledge OF the useful arts b.
I confined within narrow limits. Knowledg
g is difflsive, and OF right belongs 10 all VIII
y desire TO knoo The school master
e sbroad, and inthls day ficheap newspa
tpers aud books, "of the making of whic
i there is no end,"' none. with aspiration
lever SO moderate. can we'll avoid the foil
9 Eof. becoming wise. And even were afe,
Ito attemptto render all improvements sui
e servientto their own aggrandizement, the
y vaulling ambition would assureGly Owe
h leap itself; and the superabundance cres
ted by q grasping parsimonys would bur
'e] all barriers, and fow forth 10 feed. cloth,
n strengthen. encourage, and enrich th
q masses.
70 As things now are, and always ha,
al been, a man without land. or home
sr jhis own. is in ascondition by no mear
enviable If he has no legal right rig
re- to the soil, he has no legal right to /
anyphcre. 1.-The enters upon the field
the land -holder, he is liable to be prossc
lef ted for trespass--if he stops too long
oil the street. he becomes vagrant. II
fe only alternative is to move, and keep mo
ing. This should not be SO. Each or
70 with soursin his body. should have h
4 right TO be son1eachere, and to be somebod
] duly recognized, and duly secured 10 hi1