LAND MONOPOLY. 677 



of a class aristocracy that have fattened under a system of 

 laws more exacting than the decrees and demands of the 

 barons of Europe in the days of feudalism. Monopolies 

 and trusts of every kind have sprung up all over the land 

 as if by magic under the fostering protection of our system 

 of laws. 



Land monopoly must be the legitimate result of this 

 most infamous system of class laws. Land monopoly is 

 one of the worst forms of robbery. To encourage pro- 

 gress, induce invention and reward genius, it may be urged 

 that inventors may for a time reap the benefits of their 

 skill and industry. But such cannot be said of land, it is 

 the gift of God. It is the source from whence the human 

 family obtain their means of subsistence. From its fertile 

 resources flows all wealth. Upon its proper and equitable 

 distribution depends the happiness, comfort and prosperity 

 of the people. "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat 

 bread." This decree was uttered 6,000 years ago. It is 

 as immutable as time itself. Labor is man's proper func- 

 tion. The word of God has made it honorable. Man 

 smites the earth, and from its inexhaustible fountain of 

 resources flow the means of comfort, happiness, and pros- 

 perity. Whoever works performs the natural functions of 

 mankind. The idler is a drone; he shirks the immutable 

 decree of Deity; he feeds upon the labor of others; he is a 

 parasite upon society; he is a robber. 



The earth is God's gift to man. To monopolize this 

 is to enslave labor. To enslave labor is to strike at the 

 very foundations of liberty; to violate the laws of justice 

 and equity and rob the people of their God-given heritage. 

 He who does it sins against God. The nation that permits 

 it will be wiped from the face of the earth. 



Usury and extortion lead to land monopoly. For this 

 violation of the Divine law God has destroyed the nations. 



4 * Thou hast taken usury and increase and thou hast 



