The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1885-11-26


lands where there are none, why should
we be in haste to have them cut down
and occupied by strangers viii not our
children want homes Can any price b..
paid for them that will compensate our
grand children for the want of their grand
roomy heritage Right here is presented
one Of the most vital questions with which
our near descendants will have 10 deal
an over peopled land IT is the part of
wisdom for this generation to have regard
for il now.
1t is well known that the princeiy pub
lie domain of the United States is well
nigh appropriated BY observ
ing the ratio BY which our population in
creases, a thinking man can easily see
what fifty years has in store for us if that
ratio be preserved. So far our public
lands have been our salvation. In 1900
our population will be one hundred mil
hons.
Let us not hasten a day whose coming
is sure. Let us not be too anxious to get
rich, to make material progress at the ex
pense Of other vital things. In our haste
to get rich, let US not neglect the Welg ght
Ter matters of the law of justice and pub
lie peace.
There are other things desirable for the
prosperity Of the country besides riches
The great problem of political economy
now is not accumulation of but the dis
tribution of wealth. The experience of
the last half century has demonstrated
that the acquisition of riches in few
hands, is by no means conducive to either
the happiness or the prosperity of the
nj Unn16 To ha tahl 10
law that such vast accumulatiOns of wealth
are attended by commensurate distribu-
ton among the masses.
1t is the business of the statesman who
regards the poor, to solve I he problem of
SO dividing the wealth produced in a given
area, so that all shall share and none mo-
nopOliZe; that the fruits of the earnings
OF a whole community shall, like the rain
of heaven, refresh and fertilize the broad
fields of all, and not be poured into a sin
gle channel to turn one mans wheel.
There is a wealth, as Ruskn so express
sively says, (Which is heavy with human
tears" and | regret inexpressibiy to
know that the tendency of our modern
methods is to the accumulation of this
kind of unequal riches.
influence of capital has been so great. 1t
weilds our financial policy absolutely, and
more or less shapes and colors our legisla-
ton in its own interest. 1t seduces our
young men and purchases the services of
the best intellect of the country, and tia
geS with its selfish ideas our very litera-
ture. No possible means of moulding
public opinion is neglected, and the people
are often made to drive themselves, like
beasts of slaughter, to the shamble.
By these means and the combinations
which are SO easily and universally made,
many portions of these United States are
be- -inning to present the Old World pic
lures so repugnant to our democratic sim
plicity, of colossal wealth and squalid pow
erty; the princely palace and the wretched
hovel, side by side; of wasteful luxury
and hungry want
No man who loves our country will ever
desire to see this in North Carolina; and
| consider it not the least compensation
for our Southern poverty, that there is less
of this extremes of wealth and poverty
around us than is to be found anywhere
else within my knowledge. Our people
are moving slowly in the production of
wealth, it is true, but they are moving
pretty much together. AS yet there are
no startling inequalities among our peo
pleas yet there is no great gulf between
the rich and poor which may not be
passed.
A due regard for the natural rights of
labor will continue this happy state of
things, and tend to spread our increasing
wealth broad cast, instead of piling it up
here and there. | have no cOmmunistic
sympathieS whatever; no agragrian
scheme to propose; no popular favor to
court, but earnestly believe that it is i'm
possible to over estimate the Importance
of the subject.
AS plain as daylight, a crowded popula-
ton means competition in labor, which in
turn means low wages, which signifies
destitution and suffering, which threaten
law and order with evils innumerable.
The people of North Carolina have
plenty of patriotism, but it is of a very
quiet kind. There is less of words about
their State in the mouth of North Carolin
ians than have observed with other peo-
pie They love their State and would die
in defence Of it if there were need, but
they don't prate about it and advertise it
on the street corners. During the war men
freely gave their lives and their fortunes
in defence eff their State, and did so with
out seeming to think they were deserving
of credit for valor or patriotism. North
Carolinans show their devotion in acts
rather than words.
Many of the products of the State are
sold in other markets and reported as the
products of another State. The railroads
ignore US as much as possible, and make
North Carolina tributary to sister State.
These things are the result of want of
asserting our dignity. And we deserve
censur for our lack of proper pride. A
certain amount of assertion is necessary
to win respect.
Let me urge you to be true to yourselves.
If you know young North Carolinlan OF
talent and energy, push him. His honor
is our honor. There ought to be no jeal-
ousy of the success of a brother North
Carolinian.
Do not brag about your State. Tell facts,
which Lord Bacon says are the voices OF
God revealed in things
Why is it that North Carolina is the last
State in the list Of illiteracy? The first
constitution of the State provided for a
University and higher education was en-
| couraged even before we had constitu
ton. Why is it? Because of the aristo
cratic notions which prevailed in the early
days of the history of the State. The ed