The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-16

to thoughtful people. Why say them
again? For this reason: The crushing
burden which Ireland is now proceeding.
by means of subtle and silent process.
to take upo ntheir own. There is dan
ger-that one of the most benehcient acts
of national legislation ever framed and
passed may miscarry-that instead of
making homes for millions OF small pro
prietors. we shall make vast stock ranch
es and Iordly private estates for a COM
paratively few great proprietors.
The scheme for the reclamation Of the
arid public domain undoubtedly delights
the imagination of the American people
the making of something out OF nothing,
the creation of a multitude of homes
where the desert now exists. Gratifying
evidence of the fact is found on every
hand But there Is another side to the
matter. How many people know any
thing about the details Of the undertake
ing? How many actually appreciate the
value Of the imperial domain OF the
west which is stin the property of the
United States? Probably not more than
one in ten thousand And OF those who
do. a considerable proportion belong TO
the class of spectators and arventurers
who know too well how 20 acquire valua-
bic parts OF this property for themselves
and who are proceeding 10 do 50 with
startling rapidity.
Some day the full story OF the footing
Of the peoples heritage viii be told.
When il Is. the average American citi-
zen will open his eyes with amszement.
And he viii pass from amazement TO
indignation. The question is, VIII he
do so in time to avail anything or viii
ne only lock the door after the horse Is
stolen?
The present system Of disposing Of the
public lands is the product OF two kinds
Of statesmen-those who knew TOO much
and those who knew too little Selfish en-
ughtenment and unseifish ignorance make
a dangerous team. And this IS the team
which has been whiriing the American
people 20 The edge OF the precipice o.
land monopoly.
There are strong influences IN the vest
who want laws thar make II easy for
the land 70 be stolen Stealing is hard
word. Let Us call it lana klePtonania-
Then there are strong Influences IN the
east Nn4tM nave ft-tA - ~-%F EsNAFt--' >
over tariff and currency problems as 20
leave no time TO become acquainted Viih
far greater issues which actively Involve
the economic Liberties u the people.
There stands Ireland. emerging after
centuries Of bitter ard heart-breaklng
strife from the tolls OF land Tnoncuoly.
And tbe-e stands the great west. nsrcn-
inr steadily into TIE same hateful to8ls-
Il Is costing the English SoyernTueni
over half a billion doilarz 70 get cut q
the pre4Iicament which the American peo-
ii. are row getting into az an aVpaii-
snr rste-over tive million acres % lad
going % the Spectator every rnoufh.
Of over twenfy-fozr million acres every
year,
What VIII Il cost Is 70 Eto7 the crtrre
before = Is too late The price. q this
deliverauce f. an Irresistible pubic d.
mari FOR the repeal a exsstiag lard
laws when fhE- has rolled n rpol sns
repeal q existing lard laws when tbs
has rolled IN upou congress from al parts
q TIE country. congress xiii set - -
suonse 70 the reconrnerSsflou - TIE
Presidents message. Trti thea. there
Is 10 hope that u VIII ~.
Remember Ireland, Help TIE American
people 70 save fheir heritage t~f9re Z =
too izte WTLIAX 2 SIAIEE-