Ort 



say that modern Nationalism — the scheme of having a 

 paternal government own everything and regulate every 

 man's labor, will not be popular. Such doctrines will 

 scarcely take root in Essex County. 



The general holding of farms in this county for two 

 hundred and fifty years in family line, in fee simple, with- 

 out any laws against alienation, is something without 

 parallel in human history. Six cities have grown up 

 (with a seventh about to assume the civic gown) withont 

 materially taking from our arable territory. No land 

 titles in the world stand upon so just a base. We care 

 nothing for the original grant from the King of England. 

 The settlement was made at just that period, when under 

 the plan of the Creator, this portion of the earth was 

 appointed for the occupation of a new race. Pestilence 

 and war had swept away the once numerous tribes of 

 Red Men, so that only a scattered remnant remained. 

 Whatever rights they had in the earth, sky and water, in 

 the prolix phraseology of the period, they willingly con- 

 veyed to our shrewd ancestors. Thus all the lands are 

 held by a triple title — first, the royal grant, second, the 

 town grant, and third, the Indian release. 



Since that time neither pestilence, earthquake, cyclone, 

 famine, nor war, has devastated our domain. To-day the 

 only danger that threatens the stone fenced ancient farms 

 is found in the incursion of cultured, but jaded city men, 

 who have discovered the charms of rural life and seek to 

 dispossess after the manner of Alexander of Macedon, 

 who said, " I despair of taking no city into which I can 

 introduce a mule laden with gold." Such taking may not 



