The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-13
THE LANDED INTERESTS.
From the Richmond Times.

In our last discussion Of the question, "What
are veto do with our lands ?'' we arrived at the
conclusion that the long leasehold system of
Europe, and, especially, of England, was the
only alternative left our landholders, by which
they could avoid actual loss upon their estates,
and render them ultimately of great value. j. As
soon as it should be published. in Europe that
the Southern people were giving long leases
upon their property-say for the lie of the
tenant or foI, twenty, thirty, forty, or even one
hundred years, as is often the ease in England
the better class of European laborcrs, poor but
industrious, would crowd7to our shores. The
long and certain tenure which would be granted
to them would be an incentive which. would
bring thousands who have resisted the attrac-
tions of the cheap lands of the great West; for
they would require less money to lease than to
buy, no matter how low the lands, because the
tenant, starting without dollar, would have the
assurance that he would make and pay his rent
annually out of the lease property BY the results
of his daily labor. It is we'll known that null
titudes of emigrants are deferred from coming to
America because of their inability to buy lands,
even at the low figure at which they are sold BY
corporations and the General Government
Long leases would bring this class, coupled with
the hope, however distaut, ta&t the tenant or
bis children, would be permitted, when able, to
buy the tenancy and make it an estate 10 fee
simple. ...,... z..is a.f@-z...sy 44..,:s<}
Under such stimulus as we have lust men,
toned, the tenants would at once commence im-
proving and adorning property which they had
every hope Of one day making their own, and
the balance of the farmers estate would be en-
hanced in value by the presence and proximity
of such tenants. Should the landhoders' neces.
sites interest dictate assale of his property,
including the leased estates, would it not bring
more, dotted with tenants, than in its present
unoccupied condition? What better investment
would capitalists desire than farm covered
with forty or fifty year leases, yielding sure
annual income, and constantly approaching un-
der :he cultivation Of industrious small farmers?
The change of ownership in the freehold need
not operate to the prejudice of the tenants, be-
cause the deeds Of lease and bargain and sale
would fully protect them aud secure to them
the privilege Of ultimate purchase of the leased
property, should they desire it, when in con-
dition to become buyers.
- The long leases of England and the Continent
have enriched both landlord and tenant, ard
have given an impetus and Development TO agri
culture nowhere else known in the world. = And
if such system were inaugurated here, with
white tenants on small farms, carved out of our
great estates, the bappiest results would soon be
manifest. Not only would tenants come to US
from across the Atlantic, but the hard working
Industrious citizens of the Northern States who
have not. sufficient means to buy, but could
readily rent, would lease our lands upon long
terms, with reasonable hope Of ultimately pur-
chasing them. The extraordinary prices which
Southern products are now bringing, and which
they must continue to bring for many years,
will be additional incentive to tenants to seek
our lands, in order that they may reap tie
golden harvest before it be passed. Our State
lie slationf could be directed as TO foster and
encourage these tenancies, SO that they should
reddund to the mutual advantage of the lessors
and lessees. Prefting by the lights which Eng
ish history affords for our guidance we could
shuu the evils of landed aristocracy on the
one side and an Irish tenantry on the other
Let the long-lease system be once firmly estab.
ished as an institution in the land and the crea
ton and accumulation OF that wealth which sup
ports commerce and founds great man ufacto1ies
will be ours. Villages SO necessary to the wants
and pleasures Of the small, well-to-do farmers,
will start up on all sides, and the experimental
Dutch and Swedes who have been hitherto in-
troduced into ou1 State, will no longer complain
of our country being "'lonesome' Lager beer
sauer kraut and Dutch cheese can then be had
at every cross-road
- The District Court of the United States
Judce Brooks) will hold a Term in Raleigh
commencing the fourth Monday of this month.
THE UNIvERsITY.-In compliance with