The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-19
AGRARIANISM.

Inc hgrArian doctrine mAnltests tself IN all
countries at times, and puts forth Its mischiev-
Gus threats OF levelng crusade against all the
established rights of property. There have not
been wanting hair-brained philosophers and
Adventures In any age, who have preached these
destructive doctrines, and maddened the un-
thinking crowds with their leveling schemes Of
plumber. 1t Is a pleasing view to the unrcfecting
poor, this idea that to them belongs by right
tho boarded wealth of the rich; that in accord.
ance with natural right and the designs OF Provi.
denee they are entitled to their share OF the
worlds goods, and that the present condition Of
affairs are unnatural, and that by laws, oppres-
sive In their operations, they are defrauded out
Of their just rights; and moreover that they have
only to arise and assert those rights and that
God and nature are on their side. In this coun-
try, for the most part, our people are generally
too well off, and general thing too Intelligent
to accept these agrarian theories in their baldcst
shape There is here too much respect for the
rights OF property for such leveling doctrines to
flourish or gain much Roadway, so that those
who promulgc them are careful to avoid the
more obnoxious features of thcse pestilent
theories.
For the most part here the preachers of agra.
rianlsm dwell upon the more popular phases,
such as onslaughts upon the rich, whose aceumu-
lations they tell US are enormous, and are wrung
from the hard earnings OF the poor. While the
poor man Is obliged to labor for mere pittance
that will scarcely keep the breath of life in his
body, and his family are barely saved from
starvation, the pursc-proud aristocrat who en-
ploys him, and doles out his scanty pay, Is grow
ing rich upon his labor, and crushing him and
his family beneath terrible load of oppression.
In addition to all this the poor man is taxed to
the utmost flrthing, while the rich man Is
scarcely taxed at all. There is doubtless much
inequality In this world, but just how far this
evil can he avoided and removed is question
that has puzzled the wisest and best men In all
ages. 1t Is n very easy matter TO ind fault with
things they exist; but 1t Is not so easy to ilnd
out and apply the remedy. The truth that some
men are and must be greater than the rest, more
rich, more wise, is in the nature of things, and
what 10 more, 1t 10 not In man to change 1t. We
know that many men who, by inheritance or by
fortuitous circumstances, get riches soon, waste
and destroy them, while Others, by steady gains,
acquire, and keep all they acquire.
The truth Is as we'll established as any truth
can be, that there must be many poor well
some rich men In this world; and 1t is as certain
that riches do not of Themselves confer happi-
ness as that pinching poverty is a condition to
be dreaded. There can no more be An equality
established in the possession OF riches than
there can be In the possession OF brains and in
tellectual power. As some men will waste the
talents they have and the opportunities afforded
them to acquire development, so others will
mites to acquire riches pass by them unim.
proved. Can any possible leveling system that
may be devised change advsntageously, to any
considerable number of individuals, this condi-
tion OF affairs Not at all.
We recollect q conversation which took place
In our hearing, when n boy, between an elderly,
and well to do farmerl and one of his working.
men. 1t was in the haying season, and a very
warm day indeed. The laborer, In the midst OF the
bayfield,, threw down his scythe and declared that
he would work no longer; that things were un.
equal 1t was use to tryj that all the property
in the world should be equally divided among
the people of the world; that che went for level
ing things" &c. The farmer replied "that II he
(thc labOrer) had his portion he would soon
spend It and again be poor" This the man did
not deny, but his answer was, 81 would then level
again when the first quota was exhausted"
This any one can see would be the iney liable re-
suit of the leveling or agrnrlan policy when car.
Fied to its uHindium.
Agrarianism now manifests itself In what Ia
meant as popular crusade against the holders
OF the national securities; in other words, the
cry OF population of our debt. Agrarianism in
our country at this time takes this FORM and at
this onjuncture in political affairs, 1t makes
some noise and some show of plausibility to the
million, but it cannot win. 1t is, nevertheless,
mischievous in its teachings, and must be met;
and the sooner Congress so settles the financial
questions OF the country upon fixed basis, the
better When this Is done, As we trust 1t soon
will be, the occupation of the regulators will
cosse and the country will have peace.