The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-08

Souls. Inc lanuS nelu Dy priVale OWneISinp
amount TO 3,SS3,96S acres; and OF these 2.34Z,-
go acres are owned by 672 individuals. with an
annual rental income, arising from the labor
of a peasantry i'm state OF semi-starvation,
amounting to Sl2.227 200.
Scotland has population of 33J9,56 inhabi-
tants- Her lands are estimated at ls,gi6,69i
lean mind that l,75S individuals own E,5c4S2S
of these acres, nearly all OF the land OF the
entire country: and yet such is the fact. The
from the pOrrdge-fed tenantry who cultivate
them the sum OF $50, I6S 800 per annum.
The population OF Ireland Is computed to be
and ,6O4 1872 acres are owned by 3,722 indIvid-
uals, who each year collect rental income of
who inhabit that oppressed and Impoverished
island. The murder of landlord lew days
ago in Ireland attracted the attention OF the
civilized world. / have had the curiosity to
examine the extent of his possessions, and
consequently the extent of his power to OPP
press the landleSs poor. The Earl of Leltrim
at the time of his death owned in coun
Donegal, 56,lSi acres: in county Leitrim, b.
179 acres: in county Galway, lS,203 acres; and
in county Kildare, d acres; making landed
estate of $3.50 acres. A general summary OF
the land-holders OF the United Kingdom of
England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, there
fore shows that, while the whole extent OF
lands reached 72tl996l acres, and the entire
population is p, 227, O66, yet the meager number
of loss individuals own 81 ,SS5,llS acres, more
than two-thirds Of the lands of the entire
kingdom.
Sir, these statistical facts are overwhelming
in their Significance They reveal every feat
ure OF human servitude and light up all the
CHASTITY lineaments of degradation, famine
and woe. They explain the exodus OF the last
IS years from Great Britain, during which
time seven millions of her subjects have
lied themselves from her shores. / have cited
them, however, at this time not for the pur-
pose of dwelling on them, but simply to show
to American land owners who have been
forced to mortgage their lands to the money
power a condensed and comprehensive view
of the end OF that career on which they have
entered. l desire them to see that the policy
of their government in Withholding an ade-
quate supply of money in circulation has
forced them into the clutches of a power
which to-day holds mortgages on more acres
of American farms than the entire lands
within the boundaries OF England. And
/ desire in their behalf to appeal TO the
American congress to promptly undo, as far
as possible, the ruin that has been in
ticted, and TO inaugurate financial re1orma-
ton which will secure to the toilIng farmer his
Imperfect home and to the industrious me-
chauic living wages.
1t is customary, however, at this time for the
supporters of the present financial policy OF
the government to charge the misfortunes of
the people on the people themselves The ex-
travagance OF the people, their reckless eXUen-
ditureS, and their prodigal mode OF living are
now favorlte themes on the tongues of those
who recline in the soft lap of wealth and fare
sumptuously every day. The hard handed,
sun burnt millions who rise to their daily
tasks while the morning star is yet in the sky,
and toll for subsistence until the evening
star appears, are constantly lectured on the
virtues of economy by the jewellers IN palaces,
by the inmates of gilded mansions, by the
masters of liveried attendants, by the lords of
millions by all such derive their incomes
and their luXuries from the labor snd priva-
tons of others. These modern teachers of
self denial on the part of the laborer have
gwen the meaning of this world instead of the
spiritual meaning its sublime author intended
TO the parable OF the ten talents: "FOr unto
every one that hath shall be given, and he
shall have abundance; but from HIM that hath
not shall be taken away even that which he
hath"
The poor are exhorted to give up luxuries
which they have not in order that the rich
may add TO their already great abundance. Go
10 the homes or those W1o eat their bread In
the sweat of their faces and ascertain if you
can the eXtrayagances IN which they indulge.
Do they maintain costly equipages, splendid
carriages, and richly caparisOned horses? Are
their humble. dwellings adorned with valu-
able paintings or fitted up with expensive
furniture? Do you see pier-glaSSeS on their
walls and feel velvet carpets beneath your
feet on their floors? Take n seat with them
at their frugal, but hospitable tables. Do you
find extravaganza there? Where is the solid
Silverware, the long succession of delicate
dishes. the various brands of high priced
wines? None OF these things are found TO
tempt the Epicurean taste of those who, while
preaching economy TO the industrial classes,
sit down each day to banquetS such as Dives
presided over when Lazarus lay at his gates
begging bread. Have the farmers and me-
chanicS OF the country brought calamity on
themselves by extravaganza in dress?
Where one INDUCES ia brosdclOth a hundred
are glad to be comfortable and appear decent
in homespun. Do their wives and daughters
wear velvets and expensive silks? Must they
too economic and put on palmer att re in
may increase their demands? Sir, the labor
Ing men and women of this country have not
been extrayagant in their lives, nor do their
present embarraSsments and sufferings arise
from that cause. It is enough that they should
be weary with care and toll and
filled with anxiety for the still
darkening future. They should at least
be spared reproachful calumny. They con.
stitute the only economizing, self-denying
rlD n in all hrnn Irftl,
what force and justice could they turn upon
their accusers and fasten on them the crimes
The federal government itself has been adj
miniStered Tor many years past on scale of the
most stupendous expenditures Ii has rio. ID
with the public moneys and set an evil ex-
ample. Stat s. counties, cities and CORPORA
lions have too generally defied all the princi-
pies OF economy in their management. But
of all who commit extravaganza and practice
ssf-indulgence the most conspicuous Is that
class which holds the bonds of tn govern
ment and the mortgages OF the people, and
loudly urges ITS oppressed debtors to the most
rigid economy for its own benefit. To those
who compose this favored class the pleasures
and luxuries of every land and CLINE are ac-
cessible. To them nothing can be denied
which money will command. AS they travel
over oceans and continents In quest of new
eniOyments, they are assailed by no anxious
fears In regard 10 their pecuniary resources.
They know that the plowman in the furrow.
the mechanic in his shop, the American
labOrer OF every kind, and wherever he NAV
be, pays daily tribute and makes their income
secure
Far be IL from me to incite the people. even
II IN my power, To disregard their financial
obligations. No such purpose inspires nv
conduct but shall at all times Nindicate them
against the ASPIRATIONS of those who irst OBJ
press and then deDOunce them. And shall
also always maintain that the entire financial
policy OF the government should be revised
changed, and reformed in their interests and
for their relief.
Are there those upon this floor who regard
the financial question temporary one? To
my mind IL Is not so. Its different phases
may be met and for the time being disposed
OF, but in my Judgment ii VIII remain the par
amount question in public affairs long
after every eye that now sparl<les in This
chamber shall be closed in eternal slsen Debt
is a mercileSs master, and gives its victims
little time and less inclination to consider
anything except its ceaSeless demands The
American people at this time, aside from To cir
private debts to each other, are indebted to
the federal and state governments, ocoun-
ties, cities and corporations I'm the almost
incalculable sum OF more than 5000 1000 ,OCO.
The bondage Of such debt can not be short
one. Generations will come and 90 before
emancipation day for the American tax payer
arrives
Que form Of slavery has been swept from
American soil Another form has followed
II, not To last long, let us hope,
but equally Temorseless and unsparfng
its pVQcfiOnS lahor IL