208 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



is sacrificed. This should be prohibited by law with severe penalties, except where 

 it is the honest intent to clear the land for agriculture. 



THE RIGHTS OF A STATE. 



The American nation was founded upon the principle of the right of a ma- 

 jority to rule, and it has long been held that the rights of the public, or a majority, 

 are paramount to those of an individual or a minority. 



The State guarantees to all her citizens the peaceful occupation of their 

 homes, the privilege of public worship, the transportation of productions over 

 public highways, and authorizes transportation companies to build railways. For 

 the convenience of the public, courts are maintained to insure the public peace 

 and for the preservation of personal rights ; the press and the people are allowed 

 free speech ; elections are held and the majority choose their legislators. In 

 return the State demands of every citizen his share of taxes for support of the 

 government, and that he shall obey the laws as created by the legislative authority 

 which he has helped to choose. 



If private property is required for highway purposes, the State takes posses- 

 sion of it. When a railway is to be built, no individual may stand in the way 

 because of his title deeds. Here the rights of the public are supreme. 



Every nation claims the right to possess itself of property required for forti- 

 fications or for military purposes. 



The childless citizen pays taxes to educate the children of his neighbors, and 

 all through the customs of State and nation the rights of the community is held 

 beyond those of the individual. 



Whatever will promote the best interests of the entire community, now or in 

 the future, should govern all citizens at all times. And that which promises to 

 seriously injure the interests of the State at present or in future may be prevented 

 by legislation. 



If it be determined by the state that its territory shall be made a permanent 

 source of income by the retention of the forests in order that the manufacturing 

 industries may not be destroyed, that its naval stores trade may not be driven away, 

 and that the future citizens of the State, who are to occupy the land, enact the 

 laws and maintain the organization during the years to come, shall have the bene- 

 fits of the forests and enjoy them, then the State clearly possesses the power and 

 right to demand of its citizens that they refrain from unnecessary destruction of 

 the forest property, which is the wealth of the commonwealth. 



All the countries of Europe have adopted this principle of forest conserva- 

 tion and perpetuation ; why should America not act as wisely ? 



