Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-19
uwe seldom find anything in the cincin.


that we cordially recommend it to the carefl
consideration OF our readers:
High Prices-The Duty Of Farmers an
Others.
The condition of the country at this time
alarming in almost on extreme degree. I
every section there is a scarcity Of the leadin
articles OF food, and this, aided by the usut
speculative movements, has carried prices u
to a starvation point. Such state Of thin
as now exist has, we believe. never befor
existed in this country. The suffering
greater, tits true, in some sections than Others
but everywhere there is a scarcity OF food
Here in Cincinnati, in the midst of the bes
agricultural lands in the world, the wants q
the poor are pressing, and the rich are great
Inconvenience for want OF The usual supple
Of provisions. And the fact that money can
not supply this deficiency aggravates our diff
~culties, and renders matters utterly hopeless
except as we look forward 10 the next crops
Upon the latter everything depends, and Il
the great over-ruling Providence that govern
the seasons, regulating them according 10 ouI
necessities, we must look for relief. Thi
fact is calculated TO carry to the mind will
great force, a conviction of the utter impo.
tency of man-his entire dependence upon
Supreme Being, and his inability to perform
anything, except as a mere irStrument-usinI
the means placed within his reach by an all,
powerful Creator.
1t is not necessary that we should attempt
to show the existing causes of high price s, as
this is a matter that every person understands.
Our supplies have become exhausted, or very
nearly so, and therefore it is that flour is re-
failing in our matket to-day at 81 100 per brl;
corn, Is cents per bushel; oats, 50a55; pota-
toes, S2,56a2,60 butter 35a40c per ID; fresh
beef, 12ai5c per Id; beef cattle, Soal0 per
100 lbs net, and other articles in proportion.
Our difficulties consequent on the scarcity of
food, can only be relieved, as already intima.
ted, by full crops; and as upon this depends
entirely the prosperity of the country, the duty
of every farmer is plainly 10 apply his whole
energy to the full end thorough cultivation Of
the soil. Aside from this consideration, there
are Others which will, perhaps, have more in
fuence with our agricultural friends; and
these are the favorable prospects, amounting
almost TO an entire certainty, OF high prices
Tor the products of the next harvest. In ad-
dition TO the inadequate supplies OF old stocks,
which will insure high prices for at least a
year to come, a European market will in all
probability be found for any surplus stocks W
may have. The prospects OF peace are by no
means promising, and in the event OF the con-
linsence Of the wal, Great Britain and large
of Continental Europe will be COM
nelled 10 rely to some extent for food on the
States. Our farmers need therefore
no fear that they can produce too much.
all the breadStuffS they can possibly furnish
will be required, and that, too, a; high prices
that will, in the event OF full crops,
enrich the { rmer and The country generally.
iere, then, are inducements for great energy
md unprecedented exerlions on the part OF
armerS; and they should certainly insure the
application Of all our available forces to the
of the soil.
On a former occasion we undertook 10 show
hat in connection with the extravagant habits
nto which people generally had fallen, the
division of labor contributed 10 the
ievere monetary pressure that has latey swept
'ver the country; and The few months that
lave transpired since that article was written
AVE furnished sufficient evidence 10 remove
whatever doubts might have been entertained
I that time with reference 10 the grounds on
our arguments were based. 1t is q self
fact, that in order to add to or retain
every people mustproduce. We can.
lot prosper or even live by building houses or
hips, or merchandising, or banking, or manu-.
ncturing. All these branches of industry are
necessary in their places, and calculated 20
the general interest Of the country
'hen not over done, or conducted so as to
eglect other and mole important callings.-
When therefore, labor is drawn away from
gricultural pursuits, and concentrated in
branches Of industry, unfavorable re.
lltS must necessarily follow. That the ten.
ency and effec. of the movements OF the last
lree years have been TO diminish the labor
mployed in the cultivation of our lands, is a
lct that has been very clearly established.
'ur cities have been the centres OF attraction
" not only immigrants, but for farmers and
ne sons Of farmers. A mania for city life and
usiness existed. Laborlng men preferred 10
Grape the streets for a living, and breathe The
nwholesome atmosphere of filthy streets End
lies, crowding themselves and families into
Ilserable Shanties, rather than to work for
'rmers. Thus while a surplus of labor has
visited in our cities, agriculllralists have been
nable to procure assistance. Then again,
lrmers tired Of the tedious road 10 wealth and
lstinction, supposed to be afforded by coua-
y life, pressed 10 the city in order 10 secure
speedy ascent Of the ladder that leads 10
me, and pecuniary ease, the entrance to ,
'hlch tine imaginations of the masses have
Iaced in cities; while it is granted, in
me cases, that the top may reach 10 quiet, !
lfal retreats in the midst OF the beauties OF
where the evening of life can be spent !
easy and undiSturbed repose. Thus our !,
title lands have been neglected, and suffered !
remain untitled. The fruitful fields, un- |,
yield only briers and thisiles. Con. y
increased by thousands and tens of '
ousands, while the number Of producers fell '
behind. Men regarded farming as
nong the lowest and hardest pursuits. For
.tting that one of the curses pronounced
BON our race was, that in the sweat of his v
man should eat bread, they sought 10 8
AWAY from labor and %contrive q different, p
ore easy and speedy mode Of securing
Vlng and nccumulating proper y. Thus an y,
Tempt was made to reverse the course Of !
lture. G
The result has been an entire failure, and v
is failure brought with il a large amount OF |
sastrouS consequences. The latter, howev-
, served one good purpose. They have cor
cted the foolish propensities that caused the
ads OF men reel, under The influence of The o
tiable and impatient desire that existed 4
T riches. This has secured a reaction. The u
trent OF adventures has been changed from y
9 city to The country. For months past a e.
exodus has been observable. This still d
Capital, energy, and labor, will u
concentrated hereafter 10 a greater extent CT
ever before, in farming pursuits. We Ell
ed not speculate with references TO the re- Il
1t Of this change. 1t will very soon make b,
elf felt. But although q Great many have 81
ne ana more are going, there is still wide L