This form of ownership originated in bloody Rome. It was tried among
the early christians. Wherever it has been introduced failure and
crime followed. The population of the United States and Territories
is 50,155,783; the value of real estate and personal property is
$16,902,993,443. Divide this according to agrarianism and each person
would get $337, which by trade and speculation would soon again be in
the hands of a few. And thus with each day we should have to re-collect
and re-distribute. Out of such a system no good could possibly come.
Nature everywhere teaches that differences and distinctions must
exist. Why has she been more lavish with the peafowl than with the
crow? Why has she bedecked the gold finch or the bird of paradise more
gorgeously than the snow bird or the hawk? Why the lily more fragrant
and fair than the sun-flower? Why the difference in the magnitude of
the twinkling stars? Why the dissimilarity in the talents of men? Why
are some men born idiots and others with the sparkling gems of genius
shining in their souls? Why do some mountains possess millions of
dollars of the precious or useful minerals and others only sandstone
or lime rock? The answers are secrets locked up in the mystery of
the Almighty. The man of talent, of push, of energy, frugality and
sagacity can not help accumulating more of the results of labor than
the individual of opposite qualities. Agrarianism is a foe to thrift
and activity, and encourages idleness and stagnation. It would paralyze
business and cause the wheels of industry to hang dry and still over
the stream of progress.
Agrarianism is a hydra-headed monster. It has presented itself in many
forms and at various times. To-day it breeds discontent among the
common people which to-morrow bursts into rebellion and revolution.
Lawlessness prevails, property is destroyed and bloody murder stalks
boldly abroad. Is anything gained? No! as loud as heaven's loudest
artillery can sound it. All classes of capitalists are weakened, wealth
is destroyed, and fond Hope, the bright anchor of the soul, sits dark
and gloomy in the ashes of ruin.
Communism. Saint-Simonianism, nihilism, anarchy, socialism, Henry
Georgeism, are all dangerous forms of that hideous monster,
agrarianism. Every capitalist--every man of wealth,--whether his muscle
is his only stock in trade or not, or whether he counts his capital and
wealth by dimes or by millions--should seize the bludgeon of reason
and justice and strike the monster--the common foe to the progress and
happiness of man--a deadly blow. It is true that laboring men have
their grievances, but