134 LAND AND LABOR. 



origin in the barbarisms and confusions of tbe middle 

 ages, out of which have grown all the evils described, 

 is not a good foundation for the development and 

 growth of Republican Institutions, nor the elevation 

 and improvement of the masses. Feudal Laws and-. 

 Republican Institutions, with us, are irreconcilable ; 

 one or the other must and will be changed. The 

 present tendencies are all in the direction of the con- 

 centration of all the elements of wealth and power in 

 the hands of the few, and degradation of the masses. 

 These were the peculiar features of feudalism, and 

 have ever marked the periods of greatest distress and 

 decadence with every people. Can we hope to escape 

 the necessary consequence of our own barbarous and 

 unjust system if we persist in retaining it ? 



In the remedial measures here proposed there is no 

 taint of socialism ; in it I fail to find any hope of im- 

 proved conditions. Nor is there the least color of 

 communism ; that, to me, is far less hopeful than so- 

 cialism. Neither can any action of agrarian laws 

 place our people in the position which would achieve 

 the best results for humanity. 



What we require is the freest and fullest exercise 

 of independent family and individual relations, in all 

 business, educational, and social affairs, within a range 

 and under such limitations as will best protect the 

 weak from the natural encroachments of the strong, 

 and enable all to share in the blessings of well regu- 

 lated society. Unquestionably, it is in this manner 

 that the " general welfare of the United States " can 

 be best promoted. 



In seeking remedies for the cure of the evils herein 



