238 CONSERVATION 



forced this measure through, but paid Representatives, petitions innumerable 



for so doing with his life. His brother favoring limitation or abolition of hu- 



Caius, later elected tribune, attempted man slavery, only to have them uni- 



to enforce the above "Sempronian" formly laid, first on and, later, under 



law, but, for so doing, was compelled the table. Yet slavery was even then 



to pay the same penalty as his brother, dying, and. its disappearance is to-day 



In the light of such history, with approved by the descendants of those 



other that might be cited, including the w h o were once its champions, 

 enclosure of the commons in England The persistency with which Appa- 



in the sixteenth century, we may un- l ac hian legislation is opposed by a few, 



derstand that the private appropriation, first in one nouse and then in the otherj 



or occupancy without leave, of public W JH but give zest to the fignt> and will 



lands in the United States is no new add strength to the arms of those who 



phenomenon. However, we may feel are convinced of its righteousness and 



encouraged that opponents of the Gov- resolved on its triumph. So absolute 



ernment's attempts to reassert its right is the commitment of The American 



in these lands, instead of executing its Forest Association to this cause, and 



officials for treason, or beating them SQ full convinced is this organization 



to death with fragments of broken Q thfi wisdom and necessit of this 



benches, after the good old Roman legislationj that its own CQurse ig 



fashion, merely consume time and determined beyond question. Like Nel- 



breath in criticising them for robbing sonj in Trafalgar Bay> it rec ognizes that 



squirrel: its membership and friends "expect 



& % % every man" connected with its affairs 



"to do his duty." 



It is not too soon to begin prepara- 



WHEN John Paul Jones, in battle tions for the next campaign. Now, in 

 with the Serapis, was asked the interval which must elapse before 

 whether he had "struck his colors," his the measure can again be presented in 

 reply was, "I have just begun to fight." Congress, let the lines of battle be re- 

 This laconic declaration represents the formed, let the munitions of war be 

 viewpoint of the friends of Appalachian replenished and the organization 

 legislation. There are victories, such as strengthened and perfected for the re- 

 was that of Pyrrhus, which presage de- newal of the struggle. The resources 

 feat ; and defeats, such as those encoun- of the United States must be conserved ; 

 tered by George Washington in the National action to this end, including 

 American Revolution, which are merely Congressional legislation, is essential ; 

 milestones on the pathway to ultimate, obstruction and dilatory tactics must be 

 permanent victory. A good cause may met ; the people must be aroused still 

 be obstructed and its triumph delayed further and their demands focused more 

 by hostile tactics, but its final victory is perfectly upon Congress, and the battle 

 sure. The proverb that "No question is must be led by those already informed 

 ever settled until it is settled right" is and aroused and pledged to this cause, 

 to-day accepted as true by an ever- No leader in thought and opinion for a 

 increasing multitude. For many years moment counsels abandonment of the 

 American abolitionists led an apparent- fight; instead, as in the Sinaitic wilder- 

 ly forlorn hope. A former president of ness of old, the cry again rings forth, 

 the United States, clay by day and year "Speak to the people, that they go for- 

 by year, presented, in the House of ward!" 



