The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-03
Light In the West.

Several OF the Democratic presses Of Wis
consin lately afforded significant indications of
the growing consciousness Of mischief wrought
by Mr.. Walkers free trade upon every branch
of industry in the West. They complained
that agriculture is unproftable--th few other
openings for labor present themselves-and
that, from causes not distinctly seen, the vast
mineral and manufacturing resources of that
region are suffered to lie comparatively dor
mant. These journalists did not say in so many
words that the policy of the Democratic party,
SO far as it relates to domestic industry, has
proved failure; but their facts pointed in that
direction, and no other.
In Fond du Lac (Wisconsin) Democratic
paper, received yesterday, we discover more
confessions of the same sort, copied from the
correspondence of our Democratic Abolition con-
temporary, the National Era. II is introduced
by the editor as from friend in Wisconsin,
and in small compass exhibits the rationale of
the subject i'll the light in which it is viewed
by the struggling sons Of toll resident in that
Slate. They feel that they have realized few
blessings from the practical application of the
doctrine of dependence on distant markets. and
they are unsophisticated enough to say so with
out reference to the bearing their declaration
may have upon the party that has hitherto been,
and still is, dominant in the West The writer
Of the letter says:
"There is considerable uneasness among many
Of your friends, those formerly Wings, (and call
themselves Wings yet, to all intents save that of
pro-saveryism,) who feel the pressing want Of
better prices for their produce, and honestly be-
licve wiser or higher tariff imports would have
this tendency. Whether correct or not, this much
all know-the present prices of produce leave no
profit to the farmer in this region of country,
will furnish him wherewith to pay if he owes, or
buy if he wants, after defraying expenses of rails
ing, &c. They say, with truth, I'VE have plenty
of bread to eat. and fear starvation least of any
thing; but compelled to live in our old
houses, and old clothes, for want of Just
price for our labor Say they 1--WE sending mil
lions OF gold to Europe to buy articles, which, by
little wisdom on the part of our Legislators, can
be manufactured at home, thereby diverting labor
to more channels, lcsscning the amount of
ticle which becomes a drug in the market, and
furnishing that market nearer home Though
never did service in the ranks of the Wing party,
j must admit there seems some force of reason in
this, especially when we are sending such large
OF Rod over all Otner exports to Tor
eign importations IL this state of things contin-
ues, there will be ESQ it looks) another struggle
among the people. When general depression
strikes home to them all like the present they feel.
perhaps without wisely considering which is the
better policy, that change will prove better
than stagnation and poverty"
The Democratic commentator on this epistle
tells his correspondent, and all who complain
with him, that the depression is the inevitable
result Of dependence upon a single branch of
labor, and that diversity of employment affords
the only remedy. Such advice is but mocke-
ry of misfortune. The evil alleged is, that this
diversity is impossible so long as American la
Dor is exposed to unrestricted competition with
the pauper labor Of Europe and the sad expe-
rience of the country proves that the allegation
may be made with justice by North and South
and East, not less than by the young and grow
| ing West. Appeals to the worn. out dogmas
of party are not likely to operate very strongly
in view Of the bad dwellings and bad cloth
ing-the "stagnation and poverty"-to which
the agriculturists are consigned by "the press
ing want Of better prices"