Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-16
THE FARMERS AND THE TARIFF

In the Washington Globe we find the follow
ing letter from a farmer in Illinois. The cul-
tivators of the soil in this section Of the coun-
try can Judge for themselves how far the views
Of the writer are correct
RIDGE FARM, Vermillion Co. Illinois,
November Id, I542.
Messrs. Blair and Rives: Enclosed ] send
you two dollar Indiana BILL for which want
the Congressional Globe and Appendix during
the ensuing session Of Congress- ] received
your Prospectus, and have shown it to my
neighbors, but they have all made the excuse
of hard times; several have said, 'l would like
to have the papers, but have not the mon,y."
live in the country, and my neighbors are all
yes al-iarmers; and you have no idea of
the poverty OF the farmers Of Illinois. Allow
me tn tell you what labor il will cost me TO pay
you for the Congressional Globe and Appendix.
Our most profitable business is raising wheat,
which we carry in wagons one hundred and
forty miles to Chicago, aud there sell il for for
~ cents per bushel. good two horse team
will draw twenty bushels and feed for the
journey, and thus we go to market; camp out
and cook our own food. A load will bring
eight dollars; we make trip in two weeks
"Truly you have hard road to hoe" you will
say; "why don't you sell your wheat nearer
not cash bushel Of wheat in VermilIion coun-
~ for twenty-five cents; SD that, to raise two
dollars, il would require eight bushels ofwheat
the product OF half an acre, and weeks la
Dor; or, to raise that sum from pork, you must
sell two hundred pounds.
Is this the point to which you politicians
would merge the people' and viii! you claim To
be one of us' Can you have a taste for a
farmers life, and be denied the luxury of read
ing the news! can you promise US any thing
better? will the triumphs of Democracy pro-
duce better state of things? Did you ever
ask yourself the question? Can we read the
news by selling our produce in Europei If no
duty were laid on our wheat, beef and pork,
could we freight there, and pay freight back
on manufactured goods? Say, can we then
dress as you would wish to dress yourself aud
family, and read the news; or, should not the
intelligent farmer be allowed the blessings aud
rational luxuiies OF other men! wish not To
impugn your motives, but being humble
farmer, wish 10 make a serious appeal Ia
your reason. viii you make US prosperous by
converting the whole people into community
of farmers' When this is accomplished,
wonder who would buy our produce. Europe
! No. You surely know that Illinois alone
could supply all Europe in meat-that is, all
the deficiency that has ever occurred. Hum
| BILE rs | am, allow me TO give you my plan:
Keep out every article of foreign nlanufac.
ture that can be made at home. Lay tariff
none of your mere incidental concerns; but
one Of real and substantial protection. Then
nearly all our goods will be made at home, and
thus an immediate check will be put To the
present drain of specie; and we (the farmers)
will have the exclusive privilege of feeding the
men who manufacture our goods-a privilege
4 g"ar.n,~ad - 80 prii;sh Parliament tn aha n.
don their corn laws and other protective regu
lations are real wealth TO the landholders; ant
they have the sense TO know it, and the inhu
ence to maintain their rights. But we Amer
lean farmers, though a large majority of Thu
boosted land of liberty, are the down-troddeI
class of society, and ever will be, while tn,
present system OF trade is submitted to. 4
bloated paper currency has prevented our see
ing where we stood; but, thank God! tina
smoke has passed away, and we begin to Sc
where we stand; and before many years, wi
maintain our rights, regardless of all part
names, Or the fareups of Notification. You
who boast yourself the peoples friend, VIII
not maintain the American farmers rights
and teach him to know and stand by them :
, Now, gentlemen, if you should deride m
a crude notion in print, as one editor did, 20
Y will have the Kindness TO send me a copy.
S Yours, respectfully, --