Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-13
For THE ALEX GAZETTE,
The Right Of Property.

La an article published iu the Gazette, few
days ago, under the head of "Absurdities of
Law Makers | stated that the Interest bill,
recently enacted by the General Assembly of
Virginia, would, in a few years, appear as
ridiculous TO the intelligent reader, as the old
laws Of Connecticut now appear, which forbid
a mother kissing her child on Sunday. One is
just as supremacy ridiculous as the other.
No intelligent man will contend for mo.
ment the right OF every individual to secure,
hold, lease, rent, and use PROPERTY to the best
advantage, and 10 any way he may see fit, pro-
vlding he, the possessor, does not infringe on
the rights of others. The "Bill of Rights" of
Virginia secures to every citizen this Just and
reasonable right. Section l declares that all
men are by nature free and independent, and
have Certain Inherent rights, namely: the en-
joymeDt Of life, liberty, aud the mcaus of ac-
curing and possessing property, and pursuing
and obtaining happiness and safety" Jurlsts
and writer's on public law and political econo-
my limit and proclaim the right which iudi.
vlduais have to the eeclusiue use and enjoyment
Ut property. Even among the rudest savages
this right is recognized; the bows and arrows
OF the huntsman, and game he has killed. be-
ing regarded by him as his own, and So respect
ed by his fellows.
is society advances The right Of property &C.
punds The security OF property is, III truth,
tue principal foundation on which society rests.
The security of property is, if possible, more
necessary 10 accumulation than production !
The security of property is violated not merely
when man is deprived of the power Of peace
ably enjoying the fruits Of his industry; it is
also violated, and 10 more urjustifabe man
ner, when he Is prevented from using the
powers which nature has endowed him in auy
way, not Injurious 10 others, be may consider
most for his own advantage Says an eminent
English writer on political economy: Every
man who is not a slave is justly held to be the
best, and, indeed, only judge, of what is ad.
vantageous for himself. the principles of Natural
law aud the right Of property are both sub
yertcd by his exclusion from any employment.
10 like manuer tho ri ght OF property is violated
when regulations are made to force individuals
| TO employ themselves, or their capital, 10 a
particular way. The property of the capitalist
is violated W hen he is obliged to accept lo,0e,'
interest for his stock Tor monoy) than he might
| have Obtained.
Again, the same writer says: THE finest
soil, the finest climate and the finest inteec-
|
coming poor aud miserable, if they have the
misfortune to be subjected to government
which does not respect and support the right of
property"
Now the question rises, is money property ?
Ii money is not property, what Is 1t? Let US
consult Wcbster's Unabridged American Die
ionary, which is considered the best authority
eXtant. "Propcrty-an estate, whether 10
lands, goods, or money" Houses, lands, gods
ADD money are cIassed 10 the same category.
Such being the case, if the General Assembly
Of Virginia has the power and constitutional
right to fix the rent on money, it has the same
to tx the rent on house, the rates 90 lease
for land; has right TO enter every man S
store, counting room aud office and fix the per-
centage and interest on goods and every other
species of property offered for sale. 1t would
be 10 more violation Of the sacred "Bill of
Rights" to dictate by law the per oentage
Messrs. Wilmer 4 Slaynaker shall add to the
cost of calico than to fix the per centage 90
greenl acks owned by the First National Bank,
and auy man who would attempt to prove that
there is a difference between property in a
store aud property III a bank, would be called,
in the classic writings of Doesticks, damn
phool,. the opinion ola classic West Virginia
writer to the contrary notwithstanding.
epeat-"As society advances, the RICH, of
property expands. y As legislative bodies ad-
vance, and common sense expands, the rdic-
ulous idea that rent and profits on money must
be fixed by law, will become obsolete. Vir.
GINA possesses the finest soil, the finest climate,
the finest rivers aud water power, the finest
coal, iron and other minerals, and al. size needs
to make her the tn CGsSt aud richest country 10
the worii, Is fine intellect at least intellect
enough to understand the self evident fact that
there is no difference between property 10
money and properly IN bonds, lands and mer-
chaudise ID. 1.
CTAR BRAND LOB5TER-the best in the
~ mnrid-in stnrn and fnr sale At LII KIM st