Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-11-04
essf.s
WHOLE N0.s2144
flor tbe farmtr.
THE TRUE POLICY OF FARMERS.

Z u
An article upon this subject. in the
SOndusky Register, seems to US to contain
so much sound, practical sense, that we
make the following extracts for the benefit
Of whom it may concern:
The country has been going on swim
minglY for several ysars-a. least the
farmers have. Under prevalent sys-
tenn Of inflated currency. all products Of
the country have borne exiravagant
prices. But, while the farmer has been
growing rich-or if he has not it has
been his own fault-those engaged in
other pursuits have been made 10 groan
in spirit and in pocket, with flour at $40
to sig per barrel, potatoes 81 per bushel.
corn 75c, spring chickens 9s to 3s apiece,
butter CSC to SOC per pound, &C., &c.-
Many families. supported by severe and
constant labor, have scarcely been able
to ''make buckle and strap meet" with
the most rigid economy, during these
high prices; yetiLe tribute money e1acted
from high and low, rich and poor, has
flowed into the Golfers of the farming
class in constant stream. Do our agri.
cultural friends think this must be always
so? Are they sure that because wheat
has been worth 81 go and potatoes sS1,25,
these and other necessaries must always
remain at such starvation prices, at their
pleasure e? The conduct and conversa-
tion of many Of them would lead US thus
to conclude. Intelligent farmers know
that when high prices rule-except in
times of great scarcity-it is because
money is cheap. Now, what reason have
they to expect that within one, or even
two years from the date Of such COM
plete prOstration Of financial credit as the
country is now suffering, money will bs
as cbesp or food as dear, as within the
past two years? Such state of thing,
is morally impossible; We! farmers refuse
TO bring their products to market, in the
vain expectation that by holding them
back, they will stimulate the demand
and thereby advance the price. Osing
10 the great number of producers, their
diffusion over broad country ike ours,
and the variety Of circumstances which
surround them; it might as well be e1.
pected that water could be stored in
seive, a, that in season Of such boun-
teous profusion as the present, farmers
could hold and hoard their products SO
as to compel return to the high prices
of 1856. Water navigation will soon be
closed for nearly half year; when the
distance, practically, between western
producers and eastern consumers. viii be
at least doubled, as will also The cost of
transportation from one to the other.
Will the farmers of Ohio allow the
Far West to furnish the winters stock of
produce which must be accumulated a.
the sea board-at comparatively low
prices, We grant-and take only an equal
chance with their western competitors
next spring; or will :hey turn the tide of
money flowing from New England AMI
Europe TO their own State, and thus ena-
bic all classes to pass, with competency
and comfort, the winter before US? Per-
haps they are of opinion that, having
themselves plenty to eat and drink, the
''hard times" will not reach them. Let
them not be deceived. Whatever clas,
IS injured, all feel the wound. Il NAV
not be possible to indicate the particular
spot where the bolt Will strike in each
Individual case;-wilh one it may be the
bankruptcy Of business friend or r.la.
i've, perhaps son; with another, the
allure of the merchant or banker to
whom he has loaned tie surplus svsils
If his last years crops. or for whom he
las become surety. But the business
interests of community canno. be pros
rated without injury. more or less, to
very class.
The truth is apparent, that the pro-
Iucing States are full Of the necessaries
# life, and low prices must rule. The
nechanic and laboring classes are resolv-
d to have cheap bread once more, and
the producer is wise be will see and
ccePt the new state of affairs, instead of
iu,mnring al the bouniies of Providence
nd flying in the face OF his destiny
loney is now dear and bread is chesp;
lie latter must be converted into the for
er by sale. in order to save all classe,
ON financial revision and distress.
Mr.. WILLIAM FINLEY. of Marlborough,