Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-11
HOMESTEAD PROTECTION.
WATERLOO, MO-, January 8, ls7

AAOsb o1has ASsSs
EDITOR iNTELLIGKNCER:-In the last issue of
your paper l see that Plain Dsaler'' comes out
IN his second article against the Homestead
AS 1 understand it. who ''Plain Dea-
ler'' is, or what he is, is not the question.
His article exhibits considerable bile, especially
against the poor renters, and he tells US We are
Homestead Law" We'll, sir. this is
certainly a revelation to US verdant citizens.
He further says, it has brought malice, hatred
and want of confidence to our country, because
the property-holder is not sufficiently protected.
Now, sir, don't this sounnd very much like the
old plea for protection to the innocent, meek
and lamb-like bondholder2 We venture the
assertion that In no state or county IL there
u more trusty, safe or reliable tensntry Or set OF
renters than We have here In Lafayette county,
or in the state of Missouri. for tho TACT is. that
legislation has made the land-holder safe, In
the crop. raised on his land, for his rent is
taken out first, and then whatever ls left Ia the
tenants. How is this, Mr.. ''PlaIn Dealer for
protection to the property-holder ? He says ,
make laws that ure just to all mankind,'' but
as ull mankind cannot see alike, this 10 i'm
possible, and If the property holder cannot take
some risks as we'll as the poor man. then let him
sell, and invest In government bonds. where he
will be safe from the common herd. Again l
would refer Mr.. Plain Dealer'' to = oommu-
nieation from that great packer of swine and
beef at Kansas City, Mr.. Armour, who has re-
Gently returned from a trip through England,
Ireland and scotland. In his article he says,
mot one OF the land-renters in those countries
will be able to pay their rent, The lowest rent
being ten dollars per acre. 1.-THE reason given
IS that the American clear sides are sold In
Glasgow and Liverpool at Eve and one half cents
pei pound, whereas heretofore. those renters
have sold their pork at fifteen cents per pound.
with wheat corrsspoudingly low. He says 1t is
impossible for them to pay. and thousands who
have been used to plenty, are reduced to want.
Now, sir. ID this the result of corrupt govern
ment, or is it not the direct result of American
competition? Let ''Mr. Plain Dealer answer.
By reference to the Scriptures we are told that
He that will not provide for his own house
hold, is worse than an inlidei. ana has denied
the faith Now. if wo are rightly informed
This Homestead Law was passed to provide
against improvident husbands and spectators,
who Were liable. by rash acts and bad specula-
tions at any time to render the wife and children
homeless and pennlless. and often, too, where
the property in full or part comes by the wife.
Is 1t wrong 10 protect her and her children
by legislative enactments. / think not. Al to
Il mans word of honor. we hold that that article
is US good as it ever WAS. II ''Plain Dealer
has too much property to rent to advantage. LEI
him dispose OF q portion, for that Is the grea,
drawback in this country-one individual own.
ing more land than Ia profitable to handle. lie
me ask MIR. Plain Dealer" why Should th'
exemption of 81. 500 worth of property make
man dishonest? He calls It dishonest law
We positively deny it. and we IRE willing t.
test ut the polls, how the people regard it Hi
reference 10 George Washington will no, pass
We revere and respect George Washington
memory; but timcs have changed. and we Inv
under peculiar circumstances. and Mr.. Ruther
ford Il. Hayes Is our chief executive officer. or Is
At least, acting as such at this time.
PLAIN Dealer refers TO history. We
Will say that history repeats Itself in all coun
tries. We want more plouxhing and more in
dustry generally: less grumbling and CON
planning; less faith N political humbugs An
more faith in the Ruler over ell. and = lIttl
more faith in ourselves, ana we are all RICH,
L. TENDER.