Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1846-12-10

WOOL-TIlE TARIFF.

The time is at hand when the lrnemen Of The q
Congressional District are again TO cast their bal
ols for such person they wish 10 represent them
in the next Congress The political opinions o
the candidates are well known. The wing candi.
date Is pledged to use his influence to repeal the
tariff of 46, and restore the act of ~. 1t is the
duty then, of every freeman to examine the two
tariffs, as TO their bearing on the commercial,
manufacturing, and agricultural interests, of the
country. We are yet under the operation of the
lanlof AZ The effect of that tariff on the WOOL
grower has nearly Frustrated the wool growing
business. The amount Of wool paying duty OF
\ony per cent. during the las, fiscal year, has
been but trihe short Of thirty millions orpUunds,
ian amount nearly equal TO all the wool raised in
tho United States in 1870, which was according 10
the amonnt taken AT the census Of that year, hty-
hive millions. All The tariffs previous TO that of '46
have admitted coarse wool into the United States
Tree oil duty. or with nominal duty Of ) per cent
| This has brought into existence woOlgrowing dis
rlct in foreign government, with the express de-
sign no doubt, TO encourage home industry, and
make us independent Of foreign nations: II is not
the Introduction Of wool aIoae free of duty that
has injured the woolgrowcr. But American capt.
tai and American skill have been transferred under
the protection Of the laws Of Congress, 10 South
America to raise up a IvaI which bids fair TO pros
trate the WOO grower in this country. The manu-.
lncurer manllcsts no great desire to encourage
| home industry if he can obtain his wool free of
duty from abroad. The manufacturer has under
the law of '46 direct protection of thirty per
cent and an indirect protection, by the admission
of all their dye woods free Of duty, while the far.
mer is taxed cents per busheI on salt and many
other articles of common use by the farmer equally
high. The woolgrower is now threatened with
the repeal Of the act Of '4S. which affords ,nsll
protection 10 that branch of industry. Is it not
Tine (ol the farmer to claim equal rights with the
manufacturer? AT the ballot box is the only place
the farmer can exert his influence. The interests
OF The manufacturers are combined, they can act
IN concert-ihcir influence is powerful, and that
power Is brought TO bear upon an election, and on
the acts of congress. They are able to have their
committees in constant attendance at Washington
during the session Of congress, directing and con-
trolling their acts BY their influence our former
tariffs have been passed. Mr.. CIay's influence has
always been 10 favor The manufacturer and against
The producer And would here call the attention
of the farmer to his own picture, drawn by Mr. |
Clay in his speech on the tariff of 1888 it is hu-
initiating 10 The woolgrowcr to look at it, placed
side Of the manufacturer. would not wound his |
pride by referring TO ii il did not believe it neces.
sary TO arouse him 10 a sense of his danger. 'Jt
may be said (said Mr. Clay,) that the farming in
erest cannot exist under this tariff. His reply
was sufficient for the day is the evil thereof lie
ought 10 try il and if he cannot live under it, let
him come here and say he is bankrupt--raiHed."
Mr.. Clay does not appear to understand that
farmer is destitute Of property, |
a bankrupt woolgrower would look well going 10 |
Washington for relief Let us turn and take a
look at the picture Of the manufacturer, drawn by |
the same artists alt may be asked (said Mr. Chy) |
what guaranty have yon that another con gress
will moi repeal this law? VIVA, guaranty have you
that the thunder of those pOwerfuL manufacturers
will not be directed against your capito because of
the abandonment Of their interests" Thus the
farmer when ruined Is humby to petition con.
gress for relief, The manufacturer when his in.
tercss are likely To be neglected, they direct their
artillery against The capitol, and bring congress in
to subsection. The farmers of Vermont are in
telIigent, or at Ieas, they ME capable of being so
Their numerical strength is hundred fold great.
er than that of the manufacturer. Let the farm,
ers come together and discuss the tariff and other
important acts Of congress-Lay aside all party
destinations, party feeling. The corn league in
England was formed by the people, and'opposed 10
the power of the monopollst The struggle was
'ons-lhe contest was mighty contest between
Inc people and the money pGwer-the people lr-
umphed-the shackIes which DESTROYED the free.
dom of trade were broken off, and most favorable
has been their effects upon all branches of Ameri-
can induslry,-we can now in truth adopt the
language of The past, "Nlerry goes the miIl-cack,
The shuttle and the ploW.'
repeat then, let the farmers form clubs-lay
aside all party luminosity discuss those questions
which effect then interests, with candor; the inter
,s of the democratic woolgrower and that of the
wing, are the same. In this way the influence of
he farmer will be felt. Is there not a farmer of
Vermont, capable of representing the people in
Congress- Must all legislation be committed to
Lawyers and Bank Directors?
A WOOL-GROWER.