The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-07-11
For tie Herald Of Frse.Eass
The Market Value Of Articles of Commerce.
Is = e5iqh Fr;oa 0a<;rzhla9


would be benefited by prohibiting the
distilationof gram" But it is equally true
of any branch of business, whereby an un-
usual or unnatural demand is created,
either by waste, extravigant consumption,
or inadequate supply But to avoid being
misunderstood we willrestate our position;
which is, that each particular class of pro-
ducers would be benefited by eceg
ostfe.s eEzss stlidyiAs economy IN their con-
sumption. That, instead of seeking to IN
crease tho demand and raise the price, all
should study to make the demand as
light as possible and the price as low.
For convenience sake, we viii divide
the whole number of producers into four
classes, viz, Agricultural, Mechanical,
Manufacturing and Commercial. Now
none of these classes produce directly all
the articles used by them; but each OBJ
tains by means Of exchanges all he desires.
Now it is very manifest that each of these
several classes will desire to study that
the rates of exchange be as favorable as
possible. For it will be borne in mind
that it is of comparatively little import
ance what the absolute price of an article
is, but how much of the desired article
can be obtained for a given amount of the
article parted with. Now it is so clear
that this will be the case when nothing
has been wasted or put to bad use, that
no argument would seem necessary to
convince all of the correctness of the po-
sition.
But let lis illustrate the subject, and
see if the evidence does not become ire
sistible. For convenience sake we will
suppose that there are but ten persons
engaged in each of the several branches of
business, making an aggregate of forty
persons. Let us begin with the agricul-
tural class. The ten persons engaged in
this branch of business not only produce
all the agricultural products consumed by
themselves, but all that is needed by the
remaining thirty.
By this means, and this means alone,
they supply all their wants. Now is it
not so manifest that the smaller the
amount necessary to satisfy the wants of
all. the better for those on whom the labor
of supplying the demand fall? or to be
made no clearer by any number of ar5u-
ments or illustrations however ingenious?
We have proceeded thus far on the sup
position that there was no waste of any
thing produced. Now let us suppose that
by means of distillatiOn or otherwise, one
half of all this class has produced, is
wasted. IF the ten persons engaged in
this branch of business are adequate to the
task of supplying this double demand, no
more than one-half of their time is neces-
sary to supply the real wants of the whole.
We have proceeded on the supposition
thus far, that no injury is done by the
amount of grain thus wasted, but simply
that an unnecessary tax or burden has
been imposed upon this class by the
waste. Suppose this to be the whole OF
the matter Does any one suppose the
wants of this class have been better sup
piled by the double effort they have
made? If so, we should be glad to be
shown in what way. Certainly this extra
effort of agriculturists did not in any way
increase the capabilities of either of the
other classes. But suppose the use made
of this large amount of grain is hurtful.
How then stands the case? All who
consume the manufactured article are rem
dered inefficient by its use. Not only then
have those who produced this extra
amount of grain derived no benefit from
it, but they have themselves been crippled
by its use, and each of the other classes
have also suffered, in common with them.
But this is not ali of it. After the grain
was raised, portion of the manufacturing
class must be withdrawn from useful
employment, for the purpose Of converting
the surplus grain into a state in which ii
will be most hilrtful For we venture the
assertion that in no other way could it do
so much harm as to convert it into alco-
hol. Now, whatever the ratio withdrawn
from this class to carry on the process Of
distillation, whether it be one-tenth, one
fourth or one-half, in just this ratio must
the price of all articles produced by this
class be enhanced, or what is the same
thing, they have done this amount of
extra labor to secure given end, VIZ,
the satisfying Of their wants. 80 also
must the mechanical and commercial
classes suffer, for the one must produce
the implements, and the other do the trans
pertation without pay.
So of every other branch of business
For when any one Of those classes has
whatever is necessary in his department
ne has done all he should to supply his
wants. But it is insisted by certain
class of reasoners, that, no matter whai
is done with the article produced, proyi-
ded the purchaser pay for it, the grower
manufacturer, mechanic or carrier is ben
eftted.
But the danger here lies in using the
word pay ambiguously. We have hereto.
| fore considered that all purchases were
made by means of an exchange of article:
of consumption, instead of purchasing by
means of money. But let us suppose II
don't IN either way. First. by means o
| exchange of articles ofconsumption. Now
| ifthe business be one which is admitted
on all hands to be injurious, it follows
that the worthless article win not be takeI
in exchange. As for instance, alcohol il
the article produced, and all are strict.
temperate in their habits, the persons en-
gagged in the business must OF necessit.
abandonit. But suppose the exchange j
4 made by means Of money; the same thin
will come to pass, as In the first instance
provided the parties regard the article a
before. How then can the business b
carried on? 1t can only be done wher
the whole OF a portion Of the eommunit
viii purchase and use The worthless articl,
But in what way does this heIp.thc maj
tcr2 Is it better when the commuBit
: viii purchase aud use the worthless art
eles than il would be were they to simpi
pay for it and throw it away? Clearl
the latter mode would be the better I
the two Il comes to this then NO
clearly, that he who produces the wortl
9 less article, has done nothing toward
|. sustaining himself. Heis simply a burthe
T to be sustaiaed by Others. He who Pr
5 duees the huEsfnI article, does nothing
: sustain himself, and besides destroys :
: ability of others to take care Of him. III
{ is precisely the position of all persons e
4 gagged in the liquor business 50 fss g 7
lates TO manufacturing and yending It