Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-04-12
The 0oii--The Inalienable Birth-Right Of
Man.


Lecture By Dr. H. Kerr, delirered before the Ge,'a,
TaNey horticultural and Literary Association,
March 20, 1861.
Nh President LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
For me to assert an opinion contrary to
that sanctioned by antiquity, and at the pres
ent time held as sacred truth by the great
majority Of mankind, and Of doubtful appre-
hension by nearly all, may appear like rash
ness if not presumption. But | rely upon
the fact that long established theories, when
subjected to close investigation, have been
and may again be found erroneous. Antiq-
uity should not place the stamp Of authority
upon any theory solely upon the virtue of its
age. The spirit Of inquiry should have free
scope when it has for it's aim the discovery
Of truth or the overthrow of error. Time
should never consecrate nor universal acccp-
lance deter from investigation; we should
ask the shy and the ,cheretow Of every theo-
ry and every practice which we find estab-
lished, and whatever is not in accordance
with sound reasoning and common sense,
and calculated to promote the happiness of
the human family, we should discard. And
upon this ground shall proceed to examine
the present theory and practice Of our landed
system.
That theory (and from it comes the prac-
tice) which deprives man of his inaenabie
right to the soil, and as a consequence to
"life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness"
must be fraught with untold misery to the
human family. The violation of any of the
great natural laws of the universe is sure to
produce great and moral evil.
The object Of all human institutions and
laws should be to protect man in the enjoy
ment of his natural and inalienable rights,
and whatever law or institution fails to secure
to him these blessings must be founded in
error, established in violence, and not worthy
the approval or appreciation of intelligent
men.
For a moment let US consider the early
history Of man with his present condition,
and form the comparison-we may then the
better Judge of the causes which have brought
woe and ruin upon his head Man, the great
master part of creation-created with all the
perfection and beauty of holiness-with his
form erect and countenanc that reflected
the image of the Deity--with mind that
could fathom the depths of the universe itself,
and which delighted to hold converse with
the great Author of its existence-with a
body free from sickness and pain, and heart
as pure and undefiled as the angels oflight-
peace and happiness was his lot, and his step
was that of conscious innocence and primeval
purity. But, alas he has departed from his
original greatness and grandness-he has
become alienated from the great Author and
Supporter of his existence, and in conse-
uuence of which he has become subject to all
the evils and imperfections of perverted hui
man nature. Pain and sickness have entered
his habitation, and his cheeks have been wet
with the tears of unaffected sorrow misery
and wretchedness have been his constant at
PENDANTS and the voice of mourning has been
waited by the hollow meanings of the mid
night winds to the remotest parts of the in
habitcd earth; and, as though the displeasure
of an insulted Deity was not sufficient to
blast his brightest prospects and fondest
hopes, he has lent his assistance and become
the willing instrument ofhis OWL destruction.
He has called in all the auxlliaries OF per.
verted mind and heated imagination-he
has given loose reins to his depraved and
sckly passions Ararice-sordid ararics-
has taken possession of the heads and hearts
of men, and the broad acre and the almighty
dollar appear to have become the god and
the demi-god Of the greater part. of the hu-
man family. Thus, to produce such dire
results, the violation Of some Of nature great
laws must have taken place. The extreme
selfishness Of the human family at the pres
Ont day is attributable, in great measure, to
the present land monopoly which prevails
throughout the almost entire civilized world.
And where ever you find a community en-
ieying their right to the soil, you find a lib
crafty and whole heartedness seldom found
under other circumstances. Now, hold to
the theory that no individual has a right to
more Of the soil than he can occupy and
cultivate, and to that much every individual
has an inalienable right, and nothing but a
gross violation of the laws of nature can ever
deprive him Of it.
The fact that man has an inalienable right
to the soil, is evident from his entire and alb
solute dependence upon it either directly or
indirectly for the means by whichto support
his existence Take from him the produce
Of the earth and his existence terminates in
few days.-proving that he is absolutely
dependent upon the soil for the continuation
Of bis life. Therefore his right to so much
Of the earth's surface as will enable him to
maintain himself and family. If it had been
designed by nature that man should purchase
home upon the earth, then why was he
not brought into this world with his pocket
full of dollars with which to purchase it?-
Nature is always kind and benficent to her