The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-22

jon rHE rLtHusI
% The Last Struggle of Expiring
Liberty, was when Antigonious
Repealed the Lycurgan
Land Laws.
EY FRANCIS A. WOLFE.

When our hearts throb with emotions
Of pity, as we read of the woes of Ire
land. it would be profitable for Ameri-
cans to apprehend, that they, too, are
drifting iH the same direction. And
vet. further and further on, and even
here at home, we find much material to
arouse the sympathy of the philanthro-
pist, statesman, aid the patriot. Statis-
tics tell "A dOleful tale of the growing
disparity between the landlord and the
tenant-the rich aud the poor. This
divergence is appalling and calculated
to alarm the thoughtful citizen who
looks to the future welfare Of his coun-
try Many of the States have passed
acts Of incorporation for the benefit of
home and foreign capitalists, 20 enable
them To absorb all the reachable lands
Of the country. In Texas, and in all
the territories, English companies have
procured large tracts, in area, that
appear like so many satrapsies. These
land grabbers keep abreast with the sur
yeyors, and as the Indians recede they
wire up the country and take possession
Of all the timoered lands and watering
places that should be held in common
bv the settlers. Some of these entries
are 80 aitfuIly located as to make many
townships absolutely worthless to other
purchasers. This Is a great source OF
annoyance to the irrepressible cowboy;
and now the monopolsts are invoking
legislation to prevent wire-cutting; and
they want the country garrisoned, to
enforce their claims. In Florida, one
rich saw manufacturer of Boston, has
purchased land, in area, equal to three
ordinary counties. Numerous spots
like this, mark the maps of the Western
territories, held by the Lords and Dukes
OF Europe In some of the States, are
established agencies of British syndi-
Gates, that are buying up all the lands
they can procure, especially, in Missis
sippi bottom. BY some, this is termed,
the development of our resources" by
allowing aliens to bleed US of our stave
timber, our cypress and our pines, at
the rate of twelve-a -and-a half cents per
acre.
So il is plain to perceive, that these
empires of future wealth, are passing
into the hands of landed aristocracy.
With this, we are to be menaced with a
return 70 the ancient feudal system OF
bsrons, baronetcies, llege lords and hege
subjects, henchmen and retainers. The
maximUm Of these grand entries, in
area, considered singly, viii far exceed
the bounds of the State of Rhode Island
or the little Republic of Andora, that
has lain for some centuries at the base
Of the Pyrinees.
The interest of the country demands
immediate action. History tells US that
all great human rights can only be
achieved by bloody revolution. Each
and every fundamental feature of the
Great Magma Charta of English liberty,
taken separately, cost that people
bloody struggle. If we would be wise,
we must sui bmit to the inevitabie, and
ward off such direful calamities. The
brightest jewel of national polity Is to
legislate the greatest amount OF good
Tor the greatest number. This may
sound paradoxical to some ears, but all
the frowuing battlements and the navles
OF the world cannot prevail against It,
As such, a thousand inhabitants on a
small island, free from outward pressure,
would not be disposed to fertilize much
OF a rich man. If the Irish, with few
cartridges, can bring the British Parma
ment to a realization of the situation,
We Americans, law-abiding people,
armed with the ballot, can accomplish
that much here, with all the serenity OF
the E0cene period of the earth's early
dawn.
This subject appeals to every senti-
ment Of patriotism, and earnestly IN
yokes the aid of high craftsmanship
God gave the earth and the fullness
thereof to man. The history OF the rise
and fall of empires is fraught with ex'
amples of brave men, who leaped over
the barriers of their natienalitles to
procure homes and green pastures ior
the maintenance of their families. Liie
Is struggle for existence, and one tenth
OF the worlds population Is trying &c
eat up the other nine-tenths. there are
ever changing pedigrees and conditions
from one generation to another, the na'
OF the Great Jehovah. When this
course is interrupted it is sinful-unwar
ranted by the Holy Writ. IL is human
Tor man to murmur, that the world 4
not balanced rightly. This, OF Itself
draws largely upon the imagination
while the eur bers of revolution are still
smouldering. There is iatency tha'
underlies the operation OF all govern
ments that reach out in the dlrectlon
legislative perfection. Where we sIahs
is on volcanic grounds, for in the bitie
end every shade of malcontents wii
coalesce. We can stop n tar kiln iron
faring by judicious use OF the snoyel
but we cannot prevent the beicning 9
Aetna and Stromboii.
But my business, now, u with corme
rants, who desire to gulph down all tn
great landed interests of the country
In this hour Of peril, let it not be sal
that the exigency OF the times is withou
remedy.
None but American citizens shoul
own land in the rural districts OF th
States aud territories. Outside OF
incorporate city or town, no perso
should own over one thousand acres 9
land, and the same amount for eac
bodily heir. All persons who now ow
over that amount, should be allowed I
retain the same, while living, withou
any further increase. After death, "a
surplus should be sold for money TO !
divided among the legatees- A warra,
for such legislation by Congress, woul
necessitate an amendment TO the re-
eral Constitution.
BY this formula, there will Be
brigandage upon The capital oL \,
wealthy classes. BY the sale @ =!
overplus, the transition would
gradual III support Qf thIA clrn19e Y. \.
urflI no. @..an m~m@ thu HIX4U WIU<IU(x