Webster's Essay On Property Vs Freedom

132 Words1 Pages
Webster states that equal land distribution is more important to freedom, than free speech, trial by jury, or other rights, because “wherever we cast our eyes, we see this truth, that property is the basis of power; and this, being established as a cardinal point, directs us to the means of preserving our freedom.” (111) With this statement, Webster presents the people with the idea, that free speech, trial by jury, and other rights does not present the same significance of power or freedom, that owning property does. Therefore, people should be fighting for laws, which abolish the right to inherit land, rather than the right to speak freely. Once one accumulates enough land, they hold the power to freely express the rights, which are referred