New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-01-04
WASHINGTON, D. c., THURSDAY, JANUARY A. 1872

WASHING
oppression, and the native Brittons were uni
versally reduced to such state of meanness
and poverty, that Chitty says, so great was
this state the English name became term oil
reproach, and several generations elapsed be-
fore one family Of Saxon pedigree was raised
to any considerable honors.'
1t is not in the light of the Feudal system and
its relation to, and government OF, real prop
erty that would ask attention, but rather to
its growth and outgrowths, as in process of
time it has effected England and this country.
{ The successors of William finding how the
feodal polity effected free speech and liberty,
they, in proportion to their condition upon the
throne, sought either to increase its horrors or
mitigate them, until, in process of time, when
the Church had the lion share Of the pie, so
that Cardinal Psndulf could dare trample under
foot the crown of the imbecile John, whose
lands had been stripped of him, and when
relieis and aids, primer -sesin and wardship
had 80 oppressed the people, a condition forced
them ct Runnymede to bring King John
to Q sense Of his follies, demanded the Magma
Charta, the great bulwark of English liberty,
and thus laid the corner stone of their future
liberty and independence. But, despite all
this. she Fsadsl system has not only in the
present day characterized our landed property,
whereby We, as did the vassal, now hold in fee,
for life or years, the ultimate right always
resting in the people as sovereign but it has
also greatly characterized our polity as well
as the policy of our Government. And when
l say our, l refer to the United States of
America.
The original thirteen States which con
federated to form the United States of America
did not wipe out ell that remained of the feodal
system in England, and Of which they of course
naturally partook. We hold no lands it is true
of no superior lord than the people in their
sovereign power. But how is it with the policy
of our Government To-day are they not evil
dent relics of Primer sesin, aids, reliefs, pure
villenage, and villenage socuge? Let us see.
Primer sesin is defined that right which the
king had when any of his tenants in capite
died, seized for knights fee, to receive of the
heir, provided he were of full age) one whole
years profits of the land in the case of imme-
date possession, or if in reverson or expectan-
cy, a half years profits. Has not this its
analogy in our corporation and landed property
monopoliess They are held by these kings of
corporations with not jot more vestige of
right than the king his primer sesin. BY in
vestigation the like discoveries may be made of
aids and relefs. pure villenage and villen.
age socage, it may be declared they live with
rs in the present moment, and the civil service
reform has discovered the same. Offices have
been held, and are held to-day, upon no other
consideration than that the citizen shall render
services in the time of political warfare, and
this at any cost. Like the vassel of old, he may
terminate his tenure by any failure to uphold
him who got him in Office. He must pander to
the shape of valuable presents, when his daugh-
ter is to be married. Our Presidents are not
unfreauently kept in their chair, by the exact
principle of the King and the Lords, and the
Lords and their vassels In ancient times. In
this manner merit has heen -issnoral, AL T. AZ
not know but that may be permitted to say,
that our Government has been kept in vas
cillating condition. Our best men removed
from position when, either they fail to or will
not grant lands to their vassels, to secure their
positions. 1t is not too much to say that all
our political troubles, may be traced to this
ancient and constructing custom of oppression.
hope at some future time to treat of this
aubiect more larpely In this Mr. Editor nor
NIT me to close, by extending to you my best
wishes for health and prosperity in the new
year. A happy new year to the "NEw Ma.
rIoNAL ERA" which is great source of conso-
lstion to four millions of people, in whose cause
trust it will live and die. May each succeed
ing frost add strength and vigor to you, so that
you may continue to WELD a powerful sword in
our defence.
Yours truly, ID. A. STRaKER.