Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-09

ing care of the Government, and if need be
Governmental appropriations Of the most
prinoely munifcence. The agriculturist more
than any other individual, needs TO appreciate
the dignity and Importance Of his vocation
We regard a correct system OF agriculture
as Indispensable to national happiness and
prosperity. Othcr things being equal, o nation
Is prosperous and happy in proportion ns its
agriculture is thriving and prosperous. Under
. correct system of agriculture there is hardly
setting any limits to the productions Of the
soil II can be made to produce almost indefi-
nitely, las, did my limits permit would like to
show J and this result can only be secured by
the general dissemination Of agricultural truth,
of vegetable physiology and Of the principles
Of domestic and political economy An indi-
vidual having no interest in the soil will not
be likely to pursue course consistent either
with his employers interest or an enlightened
public policy.
The tendency Of an excessive land monopoly
ia to render the interests Of the mass subserv-
ent to the fow, thereby inducing popular ignO-
rance--itself q prolific source of misery and
misrule.
We have said, the same causes which have
produced the system Of landl0rdism in Europe,
are, to certain extent, in existence here, and
will, if not removed, ultimately produce the
same effects The number Of landholders in
Britain is, comparatively, very few. The great
mass Of the people are landless, homeless, mere
tenants at will, and are dependent on the land
lords for employment and the means of sub
sistence. The consequence il, they are obliged
to labor for what they can get; and if they are
not satisfied with that, they are told to help
themselves; indeed, it has been made the duty
Of the magistrates to get together and fix the
wages Of the laborer, making it penal offence
for the employer to give, or the laborer to re-
oeive, more than certain fixed sum, which, in
many cases has been as low as four shillings
and from that to six shillings per week, though
at the present time they are in general, better
paid.
What should we think, in thiscountry should
the magistrates have the power to fix the wages
Of the laborer? And yet that it has been cus-
tomary to do so in England, is matter of his
tory. And what are the causes which have
contributed to such o state of things? Evil
prominent one. But cannot dwell on these
points la view Of the rapidly increasing pop
ulation Of these United States, and the great
accessions to our population from abroad, it
becomes matter Of the greatest Importance,
that those principles upon which, alone, the
maximum products of the soil can be attained,
should be adopted The time must ultimately
arrive-and that time is not SO far distant as
many seem to suppose--when every foot Of
arabic soil must be brought into requisition, to
support earth's teeming millions The present
system Of agriculture will soon become wholly
inadequate to meet the demand. The aver
age products per acre must not only be two,
three, four, as they are capable of being, but
must be increased to at least ten, If not twenty
fold.
Finally, it would be q great source Of revenue
to the Government, as it would tend to the rapid
settlement of the public lands, thereby greatly
increasing the agricultural products Of the ma
ton, and which, under an equitable system of
direct taxation, would supersede the necessity
of tariffs and restrictions on commerce. and
would amply suffice to meet all the necessary
expenditures of the Government. The pecuni-
airy interests, therefore, Of this nation, the do
tates Of sound national policy, as well as of JUS
tice and equity, demand the incorporation Of
this measure into our bill Of rights, as one Of
tho great and fundamental principles Of the
Democratic creed.
Resolved, therefore That the donation of the
public lands in limited quantities, to actual
settlers, is sound national policy
The discussion of this subject incidentally
involves, to some extent, the discussion Of other
kindred subjects-as revenue and its sources
the tariff, and sales of the public lands-which
must defer to future occasion.
lew
Whifeford, Mich, Jan. 10, 1854.