Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-11
Tur VOICE Of A BLACKSMITH.

THE VOICE OF A BLACKSMITH.
We introduce 10 our Wing friends The cpl
Mons in regard 10 the operation OF The much
Wanted Tariff Of 1912, in reference to his paTti-
cular interests, of no less parsonage Than
blacksmitt-a branch OF industry, not only highly
honorable and useful in itself, but one for which
they have heretofore manifested peculiar regard.
In lhe "hard cider" and "log cabin campaign Of
ISaO they had themselves one Of this class in
their employ, roaming the country like roaring
bear. and haranguins the people, promising them,
in case OF Harrison's success, 10 line their pock
els with 'tro dollars dav," and astonish their
gastric Juices with copious ministrations OF "roat
Jcef" These promises, il is true, were never
realized by the gaping crowds TO whom they were
addressed and what was perhaps lar worse, they
were never intended TO be fulfilled by the men
who made them. as they never had it in their
mower To produce any such results Of course,
The North Amer,can will Justify deny that there
was any "iraud" in that but will describe as the
bes, sample Of political fair-dealing on record.
We'll, in 1874, The same supple INSTRUMENT was
again sent out on the same GRAND, repeating The
same tanciful and hsh-wrought pictures OF the
FL Dorado which was to follow in The wake OF
Wing promises. With such an endorsement OF
The trade, therefore, The Wings we think will not
fail to lend willing ear 10 The following picture
OF backsmith's experience under The Iarlii oil
1912.
From this plain and common-sense statement
il made apparcn,. that whilst under Tie extra
VACANT protection afforded to The iron-manuiac-
turcr by the Latc Tariff law, he was enabled 10
sell his iron at clear profit OF thirty dollars per
ton, the working blacksmith, who makes il
up Tor the farmers consumption, could realize no
more from his labor than he did bcfo C the passage
OF that act 1che,l iron rns twenty-five dollars per
TIM cheaper, Whilst under the exor6itant protec-
ton afforded BY tina. ac the price Of iron has been
erased one fourth The wages Of the blacksmith,
who consumes il, have stood stu, How was this
increased sxaction upon the purse of the poor
blacksmith TO be met 7 In one of two ways
Either, 10 reduce The wages of his hands, or ex-
act higher prices from the Farmer, Tor whom the
work was DONE The former method it seems,
was resoIted 10. Here i, proof at once clear and
convincing, that the Tariff Of 1872 as Il ir0,, did
not afford equal protection to all branches OF in
dustry, but enriched the one, whilst II imPover-
ished The other Ii plundered Peter, in order that
il might lavish munihcence on Paul. Like the
apple cut by the half-poisoned blade, described
in the beautiful annals Of Wayerly, il brought
health and strength 10 the one, but disease and
death 10 the other:
From Tic Hestcsester Republican,
To THE Hos. A. R. McILvAISe:
Sr:-I hope shall rot be considered mperti-
nent in addressing you, although not in The habit
Of writing letters. am, as you are aware, a
hard.wovking blacksmith, and having voted for
you al The last and previous Congressional cleo
tons, think that, as constituent, have right
to expec, that a reasonable demand upon your
attention will no, be deemed amiss. | am, and
always have been, in favor OF the protective sys.
tenn. like to see the country flourish, and do