The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-11-12
SOCIALISM.
The Rights Of Property and the Fence
Cutting Question.

public calamity, for 1t is more injurious to a
people Than the dissemination Of contagious
diseases. The laws Of property are in perfect
accord with the law Of nature, and are found
| ed upon the mmutable principles Of justice,
consequently, the observance and protection
Of them is indispensably essential to the well
being Of society.
Rights Of property arc sacred obligations,
binding upon the government as well as every
citizen. The socialisic creed, Invested Of the
pomp OF defamation and the rhetorical gem
eralties in which it is usually swathed, is
robbery and spolation in the most hideous
colors; for it proposes to rob the frugal
and industrious in order to endow the
idle, prodigal and lazy part Of the
community. Names are Of no con-
sequence VIXEN the fruits Of a creed are bound
to be robbery and spoliation OF the best class
in the nation-the frugal and industrious.
Socialism is irrscohcileable with the peace and
well being Of society and is the refuge Of Idle
ness and proaigacy.
would be very glad to discover that am
mistaken in the conclusion deduced by me
from his article in the LIGHT some days past,
but it struck me that Mr.. Otto Mackensen
ayowed socalstic views and outlined a cru
SADIE against rights Of property. Being unable
to conceive Of any rights Of property, which
are not prescribed, regulated, guarded and
protected by laws, used rights of property
and legal rights as convertible terms in my
former article, and mature reflection has con-
tirmed my first impression that they are in
separable. Never will stoop to defend
the position that illegal rights " are
sacred and inviolable, and entitled to
the fullest protection from the Government.
The man who owns ST. is entitled to be pro-
tected in its use and enjoyment just as much
as he who owns SIoo, ooo-the thing TO be
protected is the property, not the amount of
it. II a man owns land he has legal right
to enclose it, by fence, in case he chooses
to do SO, that he may keep the stock Of other
men of OF It, and the State and Federal Gov
eminent is bound to protect his fence Just as
much as it is his title and right to his land.
The right to enclose his land is an incident to
the ownership of the soil, and is part and
parcel Of the usuiruct Of the soil, sold to him
by the State. The man who owns 100, 600
acres has as good legal right to it as does
the man who owns but so acres, and is as
much entitled to be protected in its use and
enjoyment II man has no right to the OK
elusive use Of his land-no right to enclose
II so as to secure its exclusive use.
then, by parity Of reason, citizens of San An
tonic have no right to the exclusive use of
their lots, no right TO enclose them, II such as
own no lots raise any objection to their doing
so. II Mr.. Otto Mackensens stock have
right to Craze on BIS land, contrary to BIS
wishes, by parity OF reason a man may put up
house on the lot OF another, in San Antonio,
and live in it,
subscribe to no snch doctrine and creed,
and brand it as but another name for rob-
berry and spolation. When you destroy the
security and sacredness Of the rights of prop
erty you take away all stimulus and motive to
irugality and industry; you cut A all induce
msnt to energy and progress you in
troduce anarchy and confusion; you
disintegrate society ITSELF you retro.
grade towards barbarsm. The de-
sire ofeain is an instinct Of nature, and it has
been the source and cause Of progress and
civilization, and Of all the discoveries Of
science and the Improvements in art The
desire Of gain depends upon the security and
inyiolability Of property upon the assurance
that the fruits of labor industry and frugality
shall be enjoyed and protected. No man
will toll and labor If the first lawless conner
may appropriate the fruits of his labor, or
derive as much benefit from his land as he
that owns it Legal rights" distinguish civ
ilized nations from barbaraus and savapes-
illegal rights" are the axle grease and the
lynchPin OF the wheels Of society-'legal
rights" are the foundation and cement Of all
governments, and without them security of
| life aud property, the chief end for which
| governments are instituted, would be
shadow and mockery. Legal rights mean
merely such rights as are defined, regulated
and protected by public laws or statutes.
Socialism is the grandest humbug that was
ever spawned by the disiempered brain of an
idle man. It means robbery and spoliation.
1t is but another name for lawlessness. Were
all the property. real and personal, in Texas
Parcelled and divided out, pro rata, tomorrow
among all its citizens, thousands of them at
the end Of go days would not have cent Of
property consequently a fresh division, at
least every 80 days would become a part Of
ois' oil the State No man in his senses can
favor socialism. Communism Is not whit
better. II is contrary to Nature and
her laws, aud for that reason, domed
to end in failure and disappointment.
| Il has always and everunuhara -..L.a l. Ia